Our Foundations from Decay

Mikeys pov 54

Damn it, why was "run" the last thing Frank just had to say to me?!

My mind bounced off the walls of my head as I felt the paranoia unleash.

I don't like paranoia, I hate it. Scary, intrusive thoughts infiltrate my brain, and they run a hundred miles a minute. It clouds my judgment, and I can't think with rationality.

Not only was this dream disorienting, but now I'm scared inside a pitch-black classroom and a string of eerie noises playing around me. It's probably just my nervous mind hearing things, but if Frank's superpowers told him that I'm in danger, then man, I really gotta get out of here.

I scanned the classroom before crawling towards the open window I climbed in from. I emerged from under one of the desks, too scared to undo my makeshift bed. The school will just have to deal with it when they find it.

I sat by the window sill before looking around some more. What is this dangerous thing Frank was talking about? Oh, god, what if I don't make it out of here alive?

And with that spine-chilling thought of squatters finding my body and eating me, I jumped through the window and just ran.

As my sneakers dragged along the school's field, I saw little paper moths rising from the disturbed grass. The cold wind hit my reddening cheeks like a blade of ice, so cold against my warm skin.

I fought to maintain my breath, to make sure my lung wouldn't collapse from all the pressure. Maybe I really would die here on the field, who's to say? But one thing's for sure, I am never running away again.

I finally made it through the school's field after too much huffing and puffing. I guess in a haze of fear, I decided to exit through the back of the school. Why? I don't know, I guess my subconscious thought it was less conspicuous.

I pushed the creaky back gate and walked towards the horizon, waiting impatiently for the sun to make its rise so I didn't have to walk the blanketed earth. Why does it have to be daylight savings?

I walked down the road, walking and walking. School was like 20 to 30 minutes away from home, so lucky for me, I'd be walking a while. Just great.

Actually, I should just go back to Ray's. It's closer, and what if my plan didn't work? What if dad has not budged on the 'not moving' thing yet, and what if they don't even know I'm missing yet? it's only been like a night.

So it was settled. I'd be going back to Ray's instead, where I was originally staying for a while. At least it was closer to school.

As the sun's rays finally peeked over the mountain tops, my hand grasped the cold doorknob, glinting in sunbathed light.

I wonder if Ray's still asleep. Hopefully, I won't wake him. Wouldn't want everyone on my ass about why I'm coming home at like 6 am.

As I expected, the door easily opened. Of course, Ray wouldn't lock his doors.

This idiot's gonna get robbed one day, I thought as I shuffled through the dark living room and into the basement, where I was staying.

You'd imagine something creepy and dingy when you hear the basement, but it's actually a quite cool little space--- like a cozy man-cave. I even had a TV down there, so it was probably better than my own room.

Ah, finally.

I sunk my back into the fuzzy blanket splayed on the airy mattress. Nothing was worth running away and leaving this level of comfort. I mean, I forgot how much I appreciated comfort until I had to sleep on the grimy school floors.