Somniphobia

psychotic break

This one wasn't a dream, but I think it's still fitting. House set up above.
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My breathing caught as I heard a creak. I check this place top to bottom, how did someone get in? Everything's locked!

I scrambled onto the top bunk as silently as I could to not incur the wrath of my mother sleeping below.

Another creak.

Another step.

He'll be at the door in a moment. I clutch the fork I managed to find in the kitchen, cursing that all the knifes had been hidden away.

My throat burned as I silenced my sobs, smalls hics could be heard regardless.

I saw a boot enter the doorway, the room darkening as the foreboding figure of a man stood there. I knew he wasn't real but that didn't change the burn of alcoholic stench that filled the room.

Bile clawed it's way up my throat as fear creeped into my legs, chaining me to my bed. I squeezed my phone in my other hand so hard I felt a knuckle pop. The fork in my hand seemed so much smaller now.

I forced my eyes shut, choking down more tears in hopes he couldn't see me.

I felt the presence leave and everything in me screamed to open my eyes, see what has become of my room. My mother. But I couldn't.

It was as though they had been sewn shut, burning as they stretched open to see... nothing. The man in the doorway was gone. The air flew out of my lungs and my grip loosened as my phone tumbled onto the bed.

The fork handle dug into my hand sharply, grounding me slightly as I tried to breathe.

"He's not real. You are safe." I repeated as I silently climb down the squeaky ladder wincing as each squeal. My mother rolled around as my feet touched the carpet and I ducked out of the room.

My heart screamed at my ribs to run as I slowly crept down the hallway. I passed my siblings room, checking the door was closed, then continued on. I peaked around the corner into the living room and found it empty, checking both outer doors were locked. I headed to the kitchen, at the front of our place. The giant screen window was still sound and the wobbly shelving unit in front of it stood protectively.

I collapsed onto the floor as sobs echoed through my body. After a few moments of shaking I stood silently and forced my emotions down.

He was really gone.

I returned to my room, trying not to panic again, and shook my mother. Her brown eye cracked open.

"What." She snapped.

"I uh... I thought i- well I know I didn't realize, but I thought i saw a man in the house-"

"It was a nightmare. Go back to sleep. You're bugging me."

Her icy demeanor sent me spiraling back into bed, vertigo and exhaustion overtaking me as I finally collapsed into sleep.