Insomnia. (I can't sleep) (Jeff the killer romance)

Jumpscare

Halloween, the holiday where everyone dresses up like goblins and ghouls and sexy nurses to go out and trick or treat and everyone has a great time.

But not me. In a week on October 31st will be the 11 year anniversary of the murder of my parents.

It's a regular Monday as I get ready for school. I get dressed and walk down stairs to the kitchen. I greet my aunt with a smile and tell her good morning.

I've been living with my aunt and uncle since my parents died. They have done. A great job raising me so far, though I know it hasn't been easy. It was hard on them, they weren't expecting to have any children and suddenly taking me in was a big adjustment for them.
Growing up they had to deal with my panic attacks when something would set me off that reminded me of that night.
My aunt would stay up with me through the nightmares and always tried to comfort me.
My uncle always worked hard to make sure food was on the table. Now he is an owner of a local fast food chain, and we no longer need to worry about money.

"How did you sleep last night?" She asks me sipping her coffee cup.

"I slept okay, I can tell the insomnia is kicking in though. It's getting Harder to get to sleep"  I reply as I put milk in my cereal. (It's cereal first always.)

"Do you need to start taking your medication again? I know this time of year is always hard for you. This is about when your nightmares come."  She looked at me concerned as I sit down at the table across from her.

"I don't know yet. Sometimes I feel like I'm okay. Other times I don't know." Reply to her as I eat my cereal.

"Are you seeing things again, Chloe?" She asks me, looking me in my eyes.

I get irritated, I know that's she's only asking because she cares but I hate feeling like I'm crazy and I hate people thinking I'm crazy. Yes I see things, sometimes. I see spirits but they don't say anything. They just look at me. They don't bother me anymore because I just ignore them and eventually they just go away.

"No, I haven't seen them for a while." I reply, trying not to sound annoyed. I look at my phone and see that I'm going to be late for school.

I grab my backpack and stand up.
"I'm sorry, I need to be late but I need to go. I love you! I might be home late. Justice wants to hang out after school." 

"Okay honey, just text me and let me know! Love you, stay safe!" She calls as I walk away.

"Love you too!" And with that. I head out the door.

The weather was cloudy. Just the Way I like it. But for some reason the sidewalks were empty. Usually I see I her students walking in groups or by themselves, but today I saw no one. It made me feel uneasy.

While I was walking I couldn't help but feel like someone was watching me. I stopped and looked around but I couldn't spot anyone.  I turn to the direction of the woods on the other side of the street. Those woods always gave me the chills. I never dared to enter.  I continue to walk so I couldn't put distance between myself and the woods. I started to feel relief as I got closer to my school.

But I realized that I could hear footsteps following behind me as I walked. Too scared to turn around and look, I walked a little faster and so did the footsteps. My heart started racing.  I stopped walking and started running, and I could tell the person behind me was chasing me. I was so close to school I can't slow down now. I tried my best to keep up the pace but I just couldn't and the person caught up to me and grabbed my shoulder. I screamed.

"Chloe, calm down! It's just me!" I turn to face the culprit and I see my friend Christopher.  He was trying to keep a straight face but at the same time I know he wanted to burst out laughing.

"You dick!" I get mad at him and punch him hard in the shoulder.
"Oww, what was that for?" He asked, rubbing where I punched him.

"For scarring the living shit out of me. You know that's not funny, you can't be doing those things to me. It can set me off" I scold him as we continue our walk.

I was pissed so I didn't say a word.
"So you know Andrew is having that Halloween party, are you going?"  He asks me

I look over at him and raise an eyebrow. "You already know the answer to that question.  It's the same as every year you've asked me before. No. But thank you"

"I know but it doesn't hurt to ask. I just don't like the thought of you being alone on halloween, and figured you would maybe want to be around people. Might make it easier." 

"Hey I'll be quite alright. Don't worry about it. I appreciate it. I just feel weird going out and partying and trick or treating on the night that my parents died." I say sighing.

"I get that but, just keep it in mind. You parents would want you to have fun."
He was right. They would hate me to sulk around. But Halloween scares me.
It's like I'm reliving the whole night over again and I'm helpless over the feeling.  I feel safer, staying home with my doors locked, and taking my medicine to sleep the night away.

"I'll think about it." I say as we approach the school.