Random Stories

Out of the Shadows-Part Two (Horror)

Five days later

The days are short and blurry, but the nights are unbearably long and in crystal clear focus. School is easy for me, I study online at night to pass the time. It's much better to study than to lay awake all night, accomplishing nothing, just freaking myself out more.

I don't have many friends. I don't really need them. I had friends when I was younger, before the shadows came. After that, I was preoccupied with succeeding in school enough so that no one would worry about me. I don't know what I would tell them if they asked how or what I was doing. I couldn't lie to them and say that I'm fine; not when I am the polar opposite of fine. That would be... wrong, somehow. Like I'm dishonoring myself. It's a good thing that nobody cares.

Right now, I'm sitting in my living room, waiting for dinner to be ready. My father isn't the best cook, but at least the food is edible. He doesn't really know how to make anything besides pasta or frozen meals, but there's plenty of potential for variety there. Tonight, we're having my favorite chicken pot pies.

Dinner comes and goes with little conversation. We both have things to do before nightfall. I must prepare for the night ahead, and my father must find another hiding place for the little monstrosity.

I will not make the same mistake that I made last night. Last night, I did the worst thing I have ever done in these recent years.

I fell asleep.

I have learned through trial and error that there is a certain window of time where I can get some shut-eye. I can sleep until 12:00 AM, but then I have to stay awake until 6:00 AM. This is fine because I have school at eight and I can usually sneak another hour or so in. But this also means that I should never, ever fall asleep between these six hours. If I go to sleep at eight PM, then stay awake from 12 to 6, then sleep for another hour, I can get five hours of sleep. I can get more if I go to bed earlier or wake up later.

But I should never, ever fall asleep between twelve and six. If I do, horrible things will happen. And horrible things did happen last night.

With me being unable to see while I'm asleep, and my father turning off my light, the shadow demons are able to roam freely. Even with my door closed, they are able to get in and-

No.

No. No. No no no no no no no no no no no

No

My door is closed. They can't get in. My door is closed. My eyes are open. They can't get in. It's 12:00. My door is closed. My eyes are open. They can't get in. The light is on. My door is closed. My eyes are open. They can't get in. My door is closed. My eyes are open. They can't get in. My eyes are open.

It's 12:05. My door is open. My eyes are closed. My light is off.

They are in.