In The Shadows

Chapter 2: Paranoia

I saw a light, a very dim light that was getting brighter by the second. I saw ripples, a blurry image of a bird fly in front of me, and a boat? I realized I was under water, but I was still breathing. I felt good, calm, happy, and content. I was a nice change from the nightmares I've been having. I let myself float in the water in complete serenity. I knew I was dreaming but I didn't want to admit it. I didn't want to wake up from this. It was too good to be true. The cool water on my skin gently holding my body. The current of the ocean taking me to places I’ve never been.

Then I noticed something. The light was disappearing as if it’s been eclipsed. The ripples were now waves and my body thrashed in the violent current. I saw a dark shadow pass over me. Then the sound of a horn. It was the ship caught in the storm. Its horn pierced into the water and rang in my ears. I heard the sound of the passengers scream with every pause of the horn. I turned away grinding my teeth. My ears in pain. The water turned red around me. It finally came to me that my ears were bleeding. The water became even more violent. I saw dark figures swiftly maneuver their way through the water swarming around me. Sharks... sharks everywhere. I would have screamed but I kept choking on water. I tried to breathe but it seems I’ve lost the ability. Struggling I swam up to the surface longing for a gasp of air. When I reached it I found that I couldn't get through the waves. As if the rippling waves were moving glass and I was on the wrong side. I punch and kicked but it was no use. The sharks closed in. Then one came for the kill. Heading straight to my head I watched as its jaws covered me in darkness.

My alarm sounded. I heard it but I couldn't get up. Actually, I found that I couldn't even open my eyes. I couldn't move anything. Then I realized I couldn't even breathe. I lay there in panic, on my bed, completely silent, and completely terrified. Am I dead? Did that last nightmare finally do the job and kill me? Here I am lifeless and suffocating. I felt something though, a slight brush of warmth against my arm. Then I knew it was my dog Friday when it licked my face. Like he always does every morning after my alarm sounds and this bit of normality seemed to put me out of my trance. I opened my eyes, took a big deep breath of air and sat up. I was sweating, so much so that my sheets were wet even up to my pillow. I got up in disgusting. I took off the sheets and headed for the shower. I was reluctant about being near water but I had to.

It's been a two weeks now since I started having these nightmares. Ever since that night when I was followed by the shadow thing I don't like to think about it. The thing that started these nightmares terrifies me and they always get worse. The first was one of the worst but I got over it after the next dreams. It was stuff like being naked in public or having bugs crawl all over me. Then after the fourth day I dreamt about murder and blood, daemons and hell, monsters and ripping flesh. Today was different though. Today it was like the dream actually happened to me. What about tomorrow night? What if I dream about having a heart attack? Will I actually have a heart attack and die?

I thought about it all day. All morning. I was terrified. Speechless. Muted by my fear and paranoia, I started to feel like a hermit. I was anti-social and rude. I didn't like what I’ve become but I felt better alone. People scared me, with all the things I’ve dreamt about murder, I didn't want to hurt them cause of how threatened I feel. I didn't speak or look at anyone the rest of the day.

It was after school and I was waiting for the bus. I saw Daren and was confused. I totally forgot he goes on the same bus and now that I remember it made sense he was here. He was walking towards me looking mad and hurt. I felt awkward and looked away. He went around and made sure that I saw him and stopped in front of me.

"Dude, what’s your problem? You haven't talk to me in like 2 weeks and whenever I text you and try to make plans with you, you just blow it off and not even reply. If you didn't want my company than just say you don't like me. Is that too much to ask for...Did do something wrong? You've been such an ass too. When did you start being rude and making a total douche of yourself?"