Demons Lurking in the Dark

Chapter One

    Nighttime seems like such a harmless time. The vast majority of the world heads to sleep, their brain painting a mental image of the happiest and brightest things in the world. They wake up just fine on the other side of their dream. No harm. Just a recharged body.

    I wish that were true for all of us.

     The wind howled outside my window as I hustled out of my bedroom and into the kitchen. Dimly lit lights shimmered down, reflecting down on the vase placed on the kitchen table. The roses stood happily, so full of life. So opposite of me that morning. It was October 30th, which I've been dreading since the moment we introduced a brand new year.

    October 30th doesn't seem so special, but for my family, it's the most terrifying day of the year. On October 30th when we are drifting asleep, we slip away into a nightmare. Whatever happens, comes alive for us the following day, and if you refuse to sleep much more sinister things occur. It's a curse that has been laid upon my family since my grandma was born and it has never left.

    I quickly shook the remainder of the day out of my head as I approached the fridge. I grabbed the milk from the fridge and quickly made myself a bowl of cereal. I took a blue post-it note off the milk carton.

I'll be home at four tonight with some supplies for tomorrow. Don't miss the bus again! Love you, Landon!

       I sighed and continued eating my food. Today's going to be fine. It has to be fine. I quickly finished the bowl and threw it into the sink. I quickly got ready for school then ran out the door.

        School was absolute torture for me. Sure every kid hates school. Walking into school is like walking into an instant zone of judgment. Stress and jerks everywhere. You can't escape it. You just pray it will end. For my family, it's worse. Not only am I taking on all of the misery that everyone else goes through, but I also have to go through everyone thinking my family is nuts. It's amazing. Most kids hate me. All but one.

      "What up, Landy!" My friend Gabe shouted as I approached the bus stop. His golden blonde hair was messy, covering half his forehead. He wore a faded pair of blue jeans and a big baggy red sweater. His backpack hung over his shoulder, his science textbook sliding halfway out. "Oh, wait...Sorry bro."

      "No, it's fine. It's not like I'm not going to get reminded of it today anyway," I muffled, fixing my bag. I would tell Gabe his book was about to fall out but he wouldn't be using it even if it did stay.

     "It's not going to be that bad..." Gabe replied, looking off into the distance.

      "Dude, I don't need you to lie to me. I already know what's coming for me, it's fine. I can't change it," I muffled.

     Gabe sighed but gave in, "So what are you doing after school?"

      "Probably just having dinner with my mom and sleeping..." I replied. Homework was useless to do. Why should I spend my time on something that causes suffering if I'm going to have to go through 24 more hours of it?

     Gabe sighed, "I'm sorry bro..."

      I nodded and stood there with him in the cold. The bus pulled in front of us, breaking the wind. I boarded the bus, Gabe behind me. Gabe wasn't exactly the tough type of guy. He didn't know any self-defense and was easily torn down by people. One of his worst traits. I do my best to get him out of trouble and get people to leave him alone, but they can't even take me seriously. I'm the kid everyone's parents told them to stay away from. I'm the kid they target after. They prey on me because no one will stand up for me. At least Gabe is normal. He could always ditch me and head for the normal people. I will never be able to leave my body.