The Intruder Is Back

Chapter 5

Water filled my ears as I tried gasping for air. I couldn't breathe. I felt as if I was drowning. I couldn't move or see. I feel a hand pull me out of the water. There I saw Cindy and her friends laughing as Cindy shoved me under water again, and again. Gasping for air again, Cindy finally pulls me back out and shoves me to the ground. I tried to get up but her three friends blocked my way.

"Leave me alone, Cindy. Stop! Get off of me!" I struggled to get up. She stops but grabs my shirt and puts her mouth up to my ear.

"You're so weak, Loser. You'll always be weak as long as you live." I got so mad I tried pushing her off of me but she had a tight grip on shirt. Her friends start chanting as Cindy shoves me in what felt like a pool filled with cold water. I couldn't breathe or move. Cindy pushed me deeper into the water where it got darker. A second later I feel a stabbing pain in my neck and I taste iron in my mouth. I heard a gunshot as I started to fade away.

I woke up in my bed with my heart racing. My heart wouldn't stop pounding. It felt like I woke up from the dead. But that's when I realized that it was all just a dream. A terrible nightmare. My biggest fear. My fear of getting shot and drowning. I sat up and reached for the lamp. I took a moment to breathe and stretch.

I powered on my cell phone to check the time. It read, five- thirty in the morning. I didn't realize I've been asleep for that long? I feel like I should go back to sleep but I couldn't stop thinking about the dream.

I decided to stay awake. But I was hungry and wanted to go downstairs to see if Ms. Juliana's still awake. I get up from my bed and slowly turn the knob. Down the stairs I heard a keyboard clicking and Ms. Juliana talking to someone. On the last step I see Ms. Juliana on the phone facing the door frame of her office. I didn't want to interrupt her so I walked to the kitchen for something to drink.

I heard footsteps as I entered the kitchen. It was Ms. Juliana. With my eyes half shut I turn to look at her, but instead I jump.

"Oh, Leah, I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you. Did you sleep well?" She smiles at me. I hesitate but smile back. "I had a nightmare actually. So I woke up." I said as I slapped my forehead.

"Oh. I'm sorry to hear that. What was the nightmare about if you don't mind me asking?" Ms. Juliana asked politely. "Just school, bullies and- well I was sorta drowning-" Juliana looked concerned.

"Oh, wow. That's terrible." I nod. "Oh, Leah, do you like coffee?"

I turned to look at her with wide eyes. "I love coffee!" I say with excitement. Ms. Juliana runs to the coffeemaker to show me.

"Well I actually just made coffee, if you'd like some." Juliana offers. I got excited so I grabbed a cup. I tried taking my mind off everything that had happened today by talking to Ms. Juliana.