Castaway || mgc

28

normality

          a day has passed since luke told his story to me. right now, i lay on my back in bed as i stare blankly at the ceiling.

          i keep on thinking about the dead girlfriend of luke hemmings who comes back in the shape of a demon, haunting him mercilessly.

          last night, i heard screams coming from luke's room since i didn't sleep. but he must have since his nightmare disorder seemed to have beaten him up.

          i had walked to the glass just to see him pacing around the room as he screamed with his eyes shut.

          was i like that, too?

          "someone's thinking hard," i roll my eyes at the voice i haven't heard for a day and continue to just stare at the ceiling. "c'mon, talk to me."

          i sit up in annoyance, "you say that as if it's normal for me to talk to you. but it's not. you're driving me insane so can you please get out of my life?" my voice gets louder by the second. "the exit is that way." i point towards the metal door.

          she laughs, the sound echoing as it bounces off the walls even though only i can hear it. she shakes her head at me and i cross my arms, not wanting to look at her.

          "michael, i'll never leave. face the truth that normality doesn't exist in your life. hell, none of the people here are normal!"

          i stand up, daring myself to stare at her. she frightens me, now. even if she's not in her scary state.

          my eyes scan her up and down as i try my best to remember this girl—her jet-black hair, her choice of clothes, her backpack. none of them ring any bells, not even her eyes that look exactly the same as mine.

          "who are you? just fucking tell me already. i'm sick of you being anonymous! have you existed in my life before? why am i seeing you? what's wrong with me?" i feel my chest vibrate as my words come out in yells.

          all she does is smirk, but i can spot the sadness behind the wicked grin. silence takes place in the atmosphere as i take small steps towards her who's backed up against the wall.

          "who are you, what's your name, and why are you here?" i ask gently this time. i don't want her to be my demon. if i can make a friend out of her, i don't have to turn into luke.

          just as i get closer, she vanishes and reappears behind me. her back is facing me as she stares at luke's room from the glass.

          "i can't believe you forgot about me, michael." she says as she turns around, a single tear dropping onto her cheek.

          i won't let her fool me.

          i won't.

          "i'm maya."