TNN ONESHOTS

You need to sleep - E & MK & RK

Eric jolted awake, his heart racing and breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. He sat bolt upright in bed, the remnants of the nightmare still clinging to his mind like a shadow. Clutching his stomach, he felt a wave of unease wash over him, as if the pain from the dream lingered in the waking world.

He glanced around the dimly lit room, the familiar surroundings offering little comfort. The echoes of the dream—a chaotic swirl of fear and anxiety—still reverberated in his thoughts. It had felt so real, so visceral, and now, in the silence of the night, he struggled to shake off the lingering dread.

Taking deep breaths, Eric tried to ground himself in reality. He focused on the feel of the cool sheets against his skin and the sound of his own heartbeat gradually slowing. It was just a dream, he reminded himself, but the sensation of pain in his stomach was hard to ignore. Slowly, he lay back down, allowing the weight of exhaustion to pull him back into the safety of sleep, hoping the next dream would be kinder.

Unfortunately, Eric tossed and turned in his bed, the hours slipping away as sleep eluded him. Frustrated and restless, he finally decided to get up. The clock on his nightstand read 3:00 AM, but he felt a surge of determination. He couldn’t waste any more time lying awake. Instead, he grabbed his bag and headed to work, hoping that immersing himself in tasks would distract him from his fatigue.

As he arrived at the nursery, the quiet hum of the outside light welcomed him. He made his way inside, putting everything in his locker. Eric poured himself a cup of coffee, the bitter liquid fueling his resolve. Hours passed as he buried himself in projects, meticulously checking details and pushing through the fatigue. The adrenaline kept him going, but the lack of sleep began to take its toll.

By midday, Eric felt the weight of exhaustion pressing down on him. His eyes were heavy, and his thoughts started to blur. He pushed through, determined to finish the tasks at hand, but as the clock ticked on, he realized he was burning out.

The world around him faded in and out of focus, and he knew he needed to find a balance. With a sigh, he acknowledged that perhaps he should have prioritized rest over work, vowing to take better care of himself in the future, but right now, he had jobs to do. Everyone was relying on him to make the building look up together.

*

Reece walked briskly down the corridor, his mind racing with thoughts about the new job he wanted to discuss with Eric. As he approached, he noticed Eric sitting near is tool box, looking a bit pale and distracted. "Hey, Eric! I wanted to ask you about that other job—" But before he could finish his question, Eric's eyes fluttered, and he suddenly slumped forward, collapsing into Reece's arms.

Heart pounding, Reece quickly adjusted his grip, ensuring Eric didn’t hit the ground. He glanced around, feeling a wave of urgency wash over him. Marjorie, who was in the office, looked up in alarm. Without a second thought, Reece hoisted Eric up and hurried into the office, wanting to keep the situation private.

Once inside, he laid Eric gently on the couch, his mind racing with worry. Marjorie followed closely, her expression a mix of concern and confusion. "What happened?" she asked, kneeling beside Reece.

"I don’t know! He just passed out," Reece replied, his voice laced with anxiety. He checked Eric's pulse, relieved to feel it steady beneath his fingertips. "We need to make sure he’s okay." Marjorie nodded, her focus shifting to Eric as they both waited for him to regain consciousness, hoping everything would be alright.

After what felt like forever, Eric slowly opened his eyes, the dim light filtering through the curtains casting a soft glow around the room. He blinked a few times, trying to shake off the remnants of sleep. As his vision cleared, he noticed Marjorie and Reece sitting nearby, their expressions a mix of concern and nervousness. The last thing he remembered was feeling overwhelmed, the weight of the world pressing down on him until everything faded to black.

"Hey, you okay my love?" Marjorie asked softly, leaning closer. Eric nodded, though he could feel the heaviness lingering in his chest. He pushed himself up from the couch, determined to get back to work. There were tasks to complete, deadlines looming, and he couldn't afford to fall behind.

But before he could stand, Reece gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "You stay here and relax with Marjorie. I’ll go and finish your job list," he said, his voice steady and reassuring. Eric hesitated, glancing at Marjorie, who offered a small smile, encouraging him to take a break.

"Please talk to her," Reece added, giving Eric a knowing look. Sighing, Eric sank back into the cushions, realizing that maybe he needed this moment to breathe, to connect, and to let go of the pressure, if only for a little while.

As Eric sat in the office, the quiet hum of the air conditioning filled the space, creating a soothing backdrop. He leaned back on the couch, trying to relax as Reece had suggested. Marjorie sat across from him, her eyes filled with understanding and warmth. The tension in his shoulders began to ease as he took a deep breath, contemplating whether to share what was weighing on his mind.

"Marjorie," Eric started, his voice barely above a whisper. "I’ve been feeling really overwhelmed lately. It’s like there’s this pressure to do everything perfectly, and I just... I can’t keep up." He looked down at his hands, feeling vulnerable but knowing he needed to express his feelings.

Marjorie nodded, her expression softening. "It’s okay to feel that way, Eric. You're not alone in this. We all have our moments when things get too much." Her words were like a balm to his anxious thoughts, encouraging him to continue.

"I just feel like I’m letting everyone down if I don’t get everything done," he admitted, his voice shaking slightly. "I don’t want to disappoint you or Reece."

Without hesitation, Marjorie stood up and walked over to him. She pulled him into a tight hug, wrapping her arms around him as if to shield him from the weight of his worries. "You could never disappoint us. We care about you, and it’s okay to take a step back and breathe. Just know that it’s alright to talk about how you feel," she whispered, holding him close.

In that moment, Eric felt a wave of relief wash over him. The warmth of her embrace reminded him that he didn’t have to face his struggles alone. As he leaned into her, he realized that opening up was the first step toward finding comfort and strength in the support of those around him.