Restless Dreams

Slow Beginnings

The darkness is swallowing me, the air in my lungs squeezed out from something constricting me, like a snake taking the life of his prey. I feel like no one is going to lift me up…

        I jerk awake, covered in sweat. I feel like I’ve been running for miles. I glance around my room and notice something off. Someone was here, I can feel it. I gently sit up and place my foot onto the wooden floor, careful not to make it creak; I silently make my way down the hall. I grab a lamp sitting on a table, just in case, I see movement in the kitchen and I freeze.

            “Hello?” I smack my hand over my mouth and groan. I feel stupid, cursing my self for speaking aloud.

            “Jaz, is that you?” I hear a rough familiar voice whisper. I exhale sharply with relief laughing at my paranoia.

            “Jesus, Roman you scared the living hell out of me,” I exclaim as I hug my brother tightly. “What are you doing here anyways? I thought you were in Memphis.” I reach into the fridge grabbing the iced tea pouring us each a glass as I smile cautiously at him

            “ I was, but it wasn’t my style so I came home to Tacoma.” He shrugged his shoulders and took the glass from my hand. I stare at him in amazement. It must have been a good ten minutes before he started talking again. “So, what’s new with you?” He stares down at me through his black framed glasses.

            I anxiously glance at him and debate if I should tell him about the dreams I have been having. Oh, I have missed my brother deeply. It seems like he is the only one that understands me. I can’t talk to my parents about anything because they are too busy living their busy lives forgetting they even have a 16 year old daughter. I bite my lower lip and inhale deeply.

            “ Nothing really, just been going to school and trying to stay out of Mom and Dad’s way.” I whisper, not making eye contact. I can hear Roman’s footsteps travel across the floor towards me. He knows something’s up and I’m going to have to explain why I am even awake at this time. I look up and see him standing there with his hands on his hips like a mother. I groan and very childlike walk back to my bedroom, hoping he doesn’t follow me. I silently slip past my parents' bedroom so they can't hear that I was even up at all. I slip into my now cool sheets and silently drift off into sleep.