My Cold Days

Ch. 6

     Why? Why all the dreams? Why have I been having so many lately? Each dream was worst than the last. All of them so far had begun in a happy environment, except for the last one.

     I sat up in bed. My fingers were hanging over the edge as sweat rolled down my face. I blinked and a single tear slithered down my cheek. I hadn't realized that Jack Davis was on the other side of the room looking directly at me.

     "Are you okay?" He asked.

     "You're still awake?"

     "Yes. I couldn't sleep. I've had a few things on my mind."

     "Like what?" Silence filled the room. I don't know why, but I felt pity for Jack Davis. Maybe because he wasn't mad. Maybe because he didn't deserve this. I didn't know him well, but I did know that he didn't deserve this punishment. Jack took in a deep breath.

     "Are you mad?" Jack Davis inquired.

     "Honestly. I don't know." I replied. This was the only thing to say that felt right. I couldn't lie to him.

     "Then that just means that you are mad," Jack stated firmly.

     "What? How?" I asked beginning to sound annoyed.

     "If a man does not know his own sanity how can any sanity be determined, but insanity?

     "Did you skip high school and become a philosophy major before coming to this place?" I shot back.

     How can Jack Davis plainly determine my sanity by hardly being here a day? He doesn't even know me! I looked away from him and darted at the ground. I wish I had my amulet. I just wanted to hold it tight.

     All he did was laugh. I couldn't believe that this man standing before me could possibly be laughing at his own stupidity. I could feel my face turning red with anger.

     "You're not very good at comebacks are you?" He asked, posing a stupid grin. I stood up and marched towards Jack Davis.

     "How could you possibly just stand here and determine my sanity? Bad at comebacks huh? Well, I've been here for 1,423 days! You have no idea what my life has been up to this point Jack!" I shouted at him. Ugh. I said Jack again. "-Davis. Jack Davis." I know trying to finish his name must've sounded dumb, but I don't think that was his concern.

     The look on Jack Davis's face made me instantly regret yelling at him. He looked shocked and hurt. I took a step back.

     "I- I'm sorry Anne," Jack said. His voice did sound like it had been more confident up to this point. His eyes softened.

     "No. Don't be, Jack Davis. I shouldn't have shouted at you. I'm sorry," I paused as he formed a slight smile on his face, "Life has been hard up to this point. Believe it or not, you're the first person I've spoken to in almost four years."

     "Wow. That must be difficult. I've had it hard too." Jack replied

     "How?"

     "Well, for starters, I'm here."

     "I've never really thought of that. I guess I never thought about the fact that you're not one of the crazies."

     "Is that what we're calling them now?"

     I giggled a bit. I hadn't realized it then, but that was one of the only times I ever laughed in my life. Jack Davis locked eyes with me. I looked away. I couldn't look at him.

     "Is something wrong Anne?"

     "No. Not at all. I just guess I'm a little tired. Had a bad dream."

    "Oh, ok. You should get some rest then."

    "Thank you, Jack Davis. I think I'm going to sleep a little better now."

     And I did. I slept well through the night. No dreams. I never had good ones so I hoped for none. Perhaps Jack Davis isn't mad. Perhaps he's like me. Perhaps he's suffering like me. Maybe he has a dark secret like me.