Into the Stars (USC Series Book #2)

chapter thirteen

INTO THE STARS
———
MALACHI

I flip over in bed for what has got to be the thousandth time this hour. No matter what I try, I cannot get to sleep. Those three red numbers taunt me every time I look at them. So much so, I had just concluded to stop staring at them and that might induce my much-needed slumber.

It hasn't.

I desperately need to sleep right now. Even if it ends in a couple of hours because of me waking up because of a nightmare, so fucking be it. I would rather my demons come to haunt me during my sleep than come to me through hallucinations.

Tossing in bed once more, I decided that if I don't get to sleep in the next minute; I am walking around the house. Call it wishful thinking, but I need this to happen. Though, I don't think it can happen in sixty seconds flat.

Right, I give up.

Throwing the blankets over my legs, I hunch over the side of my bed, resting my elbows on my thighs. I rub my eyes wearily. Though, I am clearly not tired enough to have fallen asleep in the two hours I have been trying. I think my limbs are just filled with fatigue, but everywhere else is wide awake.

My bare feet pad across the cold hardwood floors. The air is chilly within the house, but I pay no mind to it, not minding the shivers it evokes in my body.

Walking through empty houses at night brings me a sense of tranquility. I can't exactly place the precise reason, but I enjoy it. I think I like the dark and knowing that there could be monsters lurking behind any corner. Or maybe it is at night that people are the most vulnerable.

Night is so mysterious and feared by most people. It is like the moment the sun falls below the horizon, the worst version of people come out. That is true, in a sense. People become their worst selves at night, knowing their doings can be hidden in the darkest of places and won't be shown until the sun rises again.

As I pass by windows, the pine trees surrounding the cabin whistle violently as the wind picks up speed. Snow falls fast, creating a thick white blanket over the top of yesterday's dirtied snow. Tree branches hit the window, creating an amplified noise in the silent house.

I am the only one awake right now. Who else would be awake at three in the morning, wandering around a dark house? An insane person, that's who. I guess that makes me an insane person. Not that that sentiment shocks me, in the least.

The walk around the house might help yield sleep if I wander for long enough. Lets hope. Passing by all the rooms, I go to the left side of the house, finding more interesting rooms there than on the right. Just today when I was going to spend some more time in the greenhouse, I found a music room. Or what seemed to be a music room, at least. I didn't get a good look, but I saw a grand piano right in the center of the room and pieces of music hung up on the walls.

On my way there, I stop by the kitchen, my mouth feeling dry. Rather leisurely, I grab a glass and fill it up with water. The only source of lighting in the room is the light strips beneath the cabinets. It isn't much, but it is enough for me to be aware of my surroundings and not stub my toe after every step I take.

I linger in the kitchen for who knows how long. I stare down at my glass of water, waiting for the water to come and eat my face like I have special telekinesis powers and can control objects with my brain. It stays the same and I don't even feel disappointed about it. Why would I? I am not fucking Jean Grey.

Another set of soft footsteps echoes through the house during my staring contest with my glass of water. I leave it down to my mind, playing tricks on me and down the rest of my water in one gulp.