Within the Lights | Connor McDonough

T h r e e

I recoiled at the loud bang I heard. My head hurt so I immediately sat down, breathing in and out to catch my breath. My head felt as if it was about to explode while my heart was pounding so fast I could almost hear them. Sweats were dripping down on my face in large beads and even my hand was slightly shaking.

I cast my eyes at the glass door, realizing that it was already dark. A storm was occurring outside with loud thunderstorms, maybe the reason why I woke up.

Raking my hand on my hair, I tried to recall what happened. I could not remember anything that made my heart beat faster. I didn't came from a nightmare. All I know was I woke up probably due to the thunderstorms. But did I ended up catching my breath and my head hurting in the middle of the night? This might've been too much hangover. Or a heart attack?

I placed my feet on the cold floor, sending waves of chill inside my body. My hand reached for the switch of my lampshade, yet after how many tries it won't turn on. Electricity might be down due to the raging storm—I couldn't even remember having a storm on the forecast. So instead, I grabbed my phone on the bedside table. I turned it on with my eyes squinting at the light, went to the control center and opened my flashlight.

The first thing I noticed was the new appearance of my room. I rubbed my eyes to know if I'm seeing it right or not yet the room stayed the same. Due to my curiosity and confusion, I stood from my bed and quietly walked three steps ahead of me as if a ghost would appear at any moment. The room looked larger than I thought. What's placed on the space in front of the bed were two beanbag chairs facing a television. There was also a great view outside separated by glass doors. Then there's also this huge cabinet in my room, which I couldn't recognize having them.

I moved the flashlight to the direction of my bed. To my surprise, another person was lying on it. Even making the phone I was holding fell on the floor.

"What the—" I wasn't able to finish my sentence. I picked my phone from the floor with my hands shaking.

Once I got a grasp of it, I held it firmly on my hands. To may confusion, I stayed on my position. I didn't know what to do.

"C'mon, Connor. This is just a dream," I said to myself.

I moved a little closer to my bed to have a clear view of his face. It could either be Toby or Riley. But my inner perceptions were telling me it was a different person. So I scanned it and realized it was a woman.

I was a woman! But I never brought a woman to my bed!

I shook my head while closing my eyes, praying that if I opened them, everything I'm seeing right now would disappear. But instead of waking up from this unbelievable dream, another thunder roared again. Like it's telling me right now was not a dream.

"You're crazy, Connor." I slapped my face with my own hand. "You're dreaming. You're dreaming. Connor, you're only dreaming," I repeatedly said, but careful not to wake up the person on the bed. That's another problem to think.

I stepped out of the room and searched for Riley or Toby's room. But I stopped on my tracks when everything in front of me showed unfamiliarity. "What the..."

This. Wasn't. Our. House.

Before I create another noise again, I headed back to the room, made my way inside the bathroom and locked the door behind me. I washed my face repeatedly despite of the low light coming from my phones' flashlight. Then I closed my eyes and opened them, still hoping that I'll wake up to reality. Yet despite of doing this on and on and on and on, nothing happened. I knew I was freaking out deep inside yet it would do me no good if I'll allow it to consume me. I wanted to scream to know if this is true or not, but I chose not to. It's making me feel eerie, and I hated it.