Cherry Mountains

(I) Dreams

(Forward Video to 33:32 for the Sounds of the Scene :)

~*~

Sunday

July 15, 1984

Los Angeles, CA

My brain and my body were in a fight, and my body was winning. I was trying so hard to keep my eyes opened but they were so tired, and ready to take my mind down to slumber.

My lids shut and in an instant I was standing in the headlights of a screeching car. I jumped awake, heaving. There was always some type of fear behind my eyelids. That's why I was fighting to keep them propped open. At this point, it was dangerous to blink.

I balled my fists into my bed and pushed myself up. My back rested on the hard headboard as I stared straight ahead at the television. I had it on the Disney Channel. They aired the happiest things at this time of night—when the moon was dominating the sky and all was silent.

Sitting so still, my body tingled. I was numbing and without thinking, I slid down under my sheets. I couldn't fight it anymore.

...

I don't know how long I was out, but I woke up shivering. My blanket was somewhere lost on the floor and the furious breeze coming from the window must've been the blame. I only wore panties and a silk coral gown that barely made it to my knees.

With my arms hugging me tight, I laid on my side, staring straight out of the opened window.

Oh Gosh, I thought. The window was opened. I was wearing a gown I didn't own. I was dreaming again.

And I couldn't voluntarily move. I could only shiver from the frigid breeze that attacked me.

I closed my eyes and wished myself to wake. I was ready to give anything to wake. Because I knew someone was going to come through the window in any second. And I couldn't face that.

Please, please, please.

I could still hear Mickey Mouse and his friends running amuck. But when I opened my eyes, I was still looking out the window.

I saw a shadow cast over the railing of the fire escape. Then I started thinking about death. I was going to die in my sleep. Whenever I was filled with this much fear, that's all I could think about. Dying.

The bunched blinds covered the top half of the body that approached the window. But I could see his panted legs. I was still shaking, even though I no longer felt cold. I was heated by horror.

One leg stepped into my room and I opened my mouth to scream. But no matter how hard I pushed the air from my lungs, no words would form. No sound came out but a failing wheeze. I was mute.

I kept on trying anyway. And salty tears trickled into my mouth.

I saw him lean forward to fully allow himself in my space but I shut my eyes before I could see him. I prayed and prayed for Mykell to come wake me.

I heard his keys jingle and then his hands on my shoulder. At that point, I pushed to open my eyes but they were stuck. So he curled his fingers around my arm and then proceeded to shake me.

"Please, Nahla! Just give me a chance! I love you! Please!"

I tried to focus on the sound of the chipmunk singing on the television.

"Nahla!" His hands moved to my throat. And he squeezed.

Finally, I screamed out in panic.