Disenchanted Lullabye

Paranoia

I came out of my wonderful dream world to find myself still in the dark dirty motel room... alone, completely untied and unharmed.

It was as if I was dreaming the whole thing. There was no trace of the mysterious masked person, just a note on the door.

HAVE FUN BACK AT HOME, I'LL BE WATCHING.

I glared at the note, attempting to try and figure out who this was or what they wanted. It made me nervous to leave this shitty place but I knew I had to get home. It was Christmas Eve-Day. I'm sure my family was wondering where I was. I was supposed to hop back on a plane in a few days, how could I act normal whn I know someone will be watching me.

Was this person bluffing and just trying to make me paranoid or were they serious? I gathered all of my things, glanced in the partially broken mirror in the bathroom and left.

I had to call a cab since I didn't have a car here so I was very paranoid. I felt... disgusted with myself. Something like this is the reason why I don't like going to bars without knowing someone is gonna help keep me safe. I was, in general, a safe person. I didn't like going too far out of my comfort zone or being too far from home.

Soon, I arrived at my mom's house. I payed the cab driver and went in, bracing myself for the questions about my whereabouts.

Luckily, I was only greeted by my brother who was playing video games in the living room.

"Where you been?" He asked without looking away from the screen.

"I got a motel room for the night because I was too drunk. Better safe than sorry." I chuckled.

"Yeah, you should've called though, I would've picked you up." He said as I was going up the stairs.

"Yeah well, it was late. I knew you would be out like a light by the time I was coming home." I said and walked the rest of the way upstairs.

I got into some more comfortable clothes and went back down to play a few rounds with my brother. At home, I would be safe. No more leaving the house until I leave for Cali.

I let my family know where I was and why I didn't come home, thankfully they weren't too nosey and left me alone.

I became less and less paranoid as the night went. Being around family was fun especially around this time of year. We were all acting silly and drinking so it was enjoyable.

The night was over, Christmas was tomorrow and being in my own bed felt phenomenal.

***

"I'm gonna miss you little sis." My brother said as he hugged me goodbye for the final time until he came to visit. I could see my mother starting to tear up behind us.

"I'm gonna miss you too." I said before going over to my weepy mother.

"I love you Ma. You really need to come out to California, it's so nice and warm out there." I said and she chuckled.

"Yeah, a lot better than being here, I can bet on that."

"I'm gonna miss you." Now I was starting to tear up. These two meant the most to me and leaving them again for the second time this year is harder than the first.

"You could always come back." She said even though she knew I would probably never move back permanently.

"Maybe one day when it's not so cold." I said with a chuckle.

"Well, I guess I'll see you guys in a few months." I said with a smile. It would be something to look forward too.

"Yeah, don't go getting in too much trouble now." My brother said with a smirk and I just shook my head as I walked through the security gates. I waved them a final goodbye and sat, awaiting my plane to board.