Not Quite Normal

Dearest Maxine

     It was so dark. So dark...you might say it was eerie.

But, despite everything, it wasn't.

     Maxine Jacobs was asleep, in bed. Just the day before, she had turned 13 years old. Birthdays were so fun to her, because as soon as she woke up she was greeted with breakfast in bed, consisting of french toast with maple syrup, a load of bacon, and some sugar-coated strawberries. Her parents made the whole day an exhilarating celebration, and every year it was just slightly different. Max had fallen asleep not long after she and her parents got home from her annual birthday movie, at 23:32, and had been sleeping for a few hours now.  

     It was so peaceful. So peaceful...you might say all was right in the universe.

But, despite everything, it wasn't.

     Maxine dreamt of fish with wooden legs, who danced jigs while upon tightrope, and shiny brass dogs, who could play the prettiest of melodies on the piano. Maxine's room was quiet, as the wind's loud whistling was muffled by the strong, thick walls of her bedroom.

      Mr. Bearington, her old stuffed bear, lay facedown on the floor, after having been sent flying out of the bed covers, as Max tended to punch and kick and Karate-Chop in her sleep. Her new black kitten, an early birthday gift from her aunt, sat on the white desk in the far corner of her room. The kitten, named Midnight for his silky dark coat, stared at Maxine with big brown eyes, innocent, yet knowing.

     Meanwhile, Max lay there, simply dreaming. Her long black hair curled around her head, her eyes shut tight. Her baby blue nightgown curved ever so gently around her cover-less inner leg. She wore a chain around her neck, with a large crystal hanging from it. It was shaped like a moon, and sparkled brilliantly. It even sparkled at this moment, even when there was little light in the room. 

     Suddenly, two brilliantly blue eyes opened. She was awake. Max sat up and looked around, even though everything was pitch black. She turned on her bedside lamp and lay back down. Then, got back up, put on her slippers, walked over to her large bookshelf, and pulled out her most favorite book, and ran back to her bed, took off her slippers, lay back down, and started reading furiously. Maxine loved to read, especially adventure books. Little did she know, she would partake in one soon, which would be either shoved down her throat, or swallowed willingly.