Inhaling Angels

3 Souls

When a person drinks alcohol, the alcohol is absorbed by the stomach, enters the bloodstream, and goes to all the tissues. The effects of alcohol are dependent on a variety of factors, including a person’s size, weight, age, and sex, as well as the amount of food and alcohol consumed. The disinhibiting effect of alcohol is one of the main reasons it is used in so many social situations. Other effects of moderate alcohol intake include dizziness and talkativeness; the immediate effects of a larger amount of alcohol include slurred speech, disturbed sleep, nausea, and vomiting. Alcohol, even at low doses, significantly impairs the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely. Low to moderate doses of alcohol can also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including domestic violence and child abuse. Hangovers are another possible effect after large amounts of alcohol are consumed; a hangover consists of headache, nausea, thirst, dizziness, and fatigue.

-National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (drugfree.org)

I didn’t sleep all night. This was actually good, though, because it meant that I wouldn’t be attacked by The Dream. That’s what my first psychologist called it; The Dream. It’s more like a nightmare. In it I’m curled up in the dark, hiding. I’m thinking he won’t find me but after awhile he does. He always does. I’m trapped. It’s the same all the time. I get to relive the worst night of my life every night.

Except tonight, since I couldn’t sleep. Every time I shut my eyes I was overcome with energy. I couldn’t stay still. I felt like running.

I figured it was a good time to start writing but the inspiration didn’t come. All I could write about was Craig’s perfect features and there was no way that anyone would want to read about that. I decided to read instead. I settled on my favorite book, The Survivor. I’ve read it a million times. It’s a little dark, sure, but life can be a little dark.

Somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to read it that night. I had it in my hands but my mind kept drifting elsewhere. I was restless. I kept hearing the bushes from outside tap against my window.

Tap, tap, tap.

I sat on my bed and looked up at the ceiling.

Tap, tap, tap.

I noticed it was getting louder. I can’t lie; I was getting a little scared.

I got up and started jumping on my bed. I was hoping that the sound of my screeching mattress would drown out the tapping.

Adelie!

I heard that midair and fell on my bed with a loud thud. At this point I was definitely scared. I thought hiding under the bed might be a good idea, so I did. I heard laughter. I heard the same laughter that I had been hearing all day.

I carefully crawled out from under the bed and walked to the window. Sure enough, there was Craig, laughing his butt off.

“What are you doing here?” I hissed. Good thing it was dark because I knew I was nearly purple from the embarrassment. I was in my pajamas!

“Open the window!”

I did and then looked at him expectantly for an explanation. It was almost 2 in the morning.

“I thought you might have trouble sleeping.” He whispered adorably. I couldn’t stay mad at him.

“I am…”

“Do you always hide under your bed when you’re scared?” He teased.

“Shut up.” I mumbled, embarrassed all over again.