Skeleton Beats the Clock

Chapter 15

Pricilla, Andar, Shyko, Stevfan, Kevyn and Meron boarded the Gobbess Monita Sleeper Train.

"Thanks for getting us digital tickets for the sleeper train, Meron," Pricilla said as they found their rooms.

"The tickets were a formality, a courtesy really. I'm owner and creator of the sleeper train services," he shrugged one shoulder.

"The creator and owner of Camp Hypnos and the sleeper train services, that's absolutely brilliant, Meron," Kevyn said with a little chuckle. "Are you obsessed with sleep or sleep disorders, or something?" she said with a curious brow.

"Doesn't matter, Kevyn," Andar said putting his hand on her shoulder as they stopped between rooms.

Kevyn glanced at Andar and back at Meron. "No, I want to know or is it the study of sleep or sleep disorders. Are we your test subjects?"

"It's alright, Andar," Meron said putting his hand up and putting his luggage down.

He swallowed hard and let out a trembling sigh.

"I suffer from Nightmare Disorder. Every time I go to sleep. I have intense, threatening and frightening nightmares. They make me hypervigilant. I have severe anxiety. I have recurring episodes of awakening often when my mind wants to recall these fearful and disturbing dreams. Anger, sadness, fear, anxiety or any other dysmorphic emotions are triggering. I either have a difficult time going back to sleep or the anguish of it all comes back in the latter half of the sleep period." Meron's eyes welled with tears.

"In essence, you're haunted by sleep and its erratic components," Shyko chimed in.

"I'm so haunted I fear sleep itself. I don't sleep anymore if I can help it," Meron pressed his thumb and index finger over his closed eyes to get rid of the tears.

Pricilla put her hand on Meron's back. "Meron we've known each other for ages. How could I not know this? How could you not tell me or Zin? We would've supported you."

He looked over his shoulder turning sideways. "I know. I wasn't ready to admit it to myself let alone anyone else."

"Your parents?"

"They never knew. I traveled a lot. I never was home long enough to spend the night, to sleep. Designing games for Qualina, present and future worlds since I was four kept me busy and away from anyone's possible detection of my illness. And going to boarding school since I was five helped me keep my secret, too. I've been helping future worlds study and find cures for sleep disorders." He looked back at Kevyn. "And yes, I've been studying them. I want to know why these disorders exist, why they happen to certain people and how they can be cured," he raised a furrowed brow, "if they can be cured." He looked back at Pricilla. He placed his hand gently on her cheek. "Sorry, I wish I could find..." his voice trembled, and he looked down.

"Don't worry, my friend. I've learned to live with what ails me. Fatal insomnia is genetic. I've always known. My parents suffered and died from it. Having both parents with this disorder I never stood a chance but, I'm happy to live every moment. No matter how much time I have left. I know skeleton beats the clock. Meaning death beats time, always, at least in this case."

"My apologies I didn't mean to..." Kevyn said putting her hand on Meron's arm.

"No, it's fine," he said turning around towards her. "Next time bring your family or your band we have excellent childcare services. And maybe you'll start a new trend being the first band to ride in our sleeper trains," he smiled.

"Yeah, maybe. Thanks," she smiled back.