He Comes at Night

Pretty Little Things

I hope you guys are excited for this story to get back to its glory! Swipe for the gifs and for the soundtrack to this beauty. But okay, seriously why didn't any of my teachers look like Mr. Harris?

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Paranoia.

That's what Dr. Larson, Nina's physiatrist, labeled her recent feelings as. The dreams she was experiencing were becoming so real in her mind, they were seeping into her conciseness, causing her to believe certain things to be reality.

Jax was the perfect example. 

Avoiding him the way she did, for fear that he was some kind of monster who wanted to hurt her. Dr. Larson noted that her behavior towards him after the dream was unfair to him, as he had no control over the way her mind perceived him. It was unwarranted to label him in such a devilish way.

Although times of paranoia were harmless to most, Dr. Larson also noted the importance of finding a balance between the stories her mind created and the reality that she lived. Mentioning that if her thinking became too out control, she would likely be subject to other tests to rule out any serious conditions. 

Warning that diagnoses such as schizophrenia or other psychotic disorders, could be on the horizon. 

That was a conversation that broke Gavin out of his silent treatment, making sure that his daughter be monitored on all levels, including hiring the best medical professionals to get her on the right cocktail of medication that would prevent her thoughts from spiraling. 

The entire family took Dr. Larson's recommendations seriously, but kept them quiet. There was no reason to alarm extended family or even Nina's friends, unless things escalated beyond their control. Which, she reassured them, would likely not happen.

Her symptoms were mild and for now, her dreams were just that.

Dreams.

In the weeks following however, they intensified.

Spotlighting others around her, just like they did to Jax. It was as if she was under constant attack and the toll it was taking in her, was large.

Nina became weary and fearful of anyone she did not know personally, and sometimes those she did know well. She'd take extra glances as she passed strangers in the hallways, down an isle at the store or walking to her car in a parking lot. 

The paranoia was making her feel insane, not wanting to be distrustful to the degree she was. But it worried her that her body and mind, were trying to warn her of something.

Or was this just a warning sign that her brain was ill?

Life was stressful again and she knew it was a matter of time before everyone around recognized it.

Taking a deep breath, Nina looked into her own eyes through the reflection of the locker room mirror. She still looked like herself, though features were starting to look different. Her brown eyes began to fall slightly, feeling heavy with the weight of what lied behind them.

Looking away, she brought a tremored hand to her mouth and swallowed one of her anxiety pills. 

It was the 1st Friday in October, which meant the first football game of the season. The entire squad was already out on the track, stretching and preparing their routines, all except Nina as she tried to get ahold of herself.

Looking down at her uniform, she smoothed out the material at the edge of her thighs. It was tight and shorter than last years as she pulled at the hem. She was feeling restricted and overstimulated as the material scratched against her skin.