Warning!
This is a book for the open-minded only!
If you feel that you already know all about the mysteries of our existence, your view of life is set and you would like to keep it this way, then this book is not meant for you. Don't bother reading...
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It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.
- Aristotle Onassis
I was sitting on my bed, utterly exhausted. My eyes were closing of their own accord, my muscles protesting and I was slowly getting desperate.
My trembling fingers were having a hard time simply holding the necessary utensils : a thread and a needle. Never mind getting the one through the tiny eye of the other!
Sighing, I let my arms sink onto my crossed legs. Really, what had I expected? Glancing at the clock of my radio the illuminated, red numbers confirmed what I was dreading: it was already past two am.
On a school night.
Shaking my head, I was more than a little annoyed with myself.
For how long had I known about this school assignment? Three months? So why, for God's sake, had I never taken the time to finish the darn skirt?!
Right. Because everything else, especially reading, had just been so much more interesting and/or important!
Well, the next day – or rather: later that day – I had to hand in my work and I was still not done.
Forcing my drooping eyelids open, I gathered all my strength to raise my arms once more and continue with the herculean task of threading the needle I was gingerly holding. If only I had been able to play some music! But the wall my room shared with the one of my sister was too thin for that kind of nightly entertainment.
Half an hour later, I was finally done! Exhausted, trembling and with my nerves on edge, I first switched off the main light, before doing the same with the table lamp next to my bed.
Eager to finally relax and let go, I slumped down on the invitingly soft surface of my favorite piece of furniture.
Oh, no! I still have to say my prayers! Otherwise, I would not be able to go to sleep.
I guess I have become a bit superstitious, hm? I mused. But I really did not want to miss them and the sensation of security and accomplishment they provided.
Snuggling into my comforters, I tried to calm my fried nerves, pray and go to sleep.
But as soon as I closed my eyes, unbidden images of the wretched movie of the other day surfaced in my mind. They brought back the threatening, occult scenes of the film that I had tried so hard to forget over the last week. Feeling increasingly uneasy, as the dark mood of the film seemed to manifest inside my small room, I desperately fought to shake it off. But the more I attempted not to think about the film, the more it seemed to take root in my brain and my emotions.
Besides. . . Is this the barely audible sound of soft footsteps in front of my window. . .?
An ice-cold feeling of dread wrapped around my heart, the morbid atmosphere of the movie almost palpable all around me.
It's nothing, I tried to calm myself, just my overstrained nerves. . .
Another horrifying scene appeared in front of my inner eye, sending a fresh wave of terror through my system. All right, that's it! I've had enough!
With a resolute movement, I sat up in my bed with the intention to switch on the small lamp. I was desperate for the calming and security-supplying golden gleam of the light bulb, as my room was rather dark. Which added considerably to the extreme feeling of anxiety, that I was experiencing at that moment.
Groping blindly for the switch, I released the breath I had been holding out of fear, when my fingertips finally felt the small plastic elevation on the metal foot of the lamp.
Pressing on the switch, I expected its soft light to flood the room once again and calm my nerves.
Gazing in the direction of the lamp, however, I watched in confusion and horror as its bulb lighted up blood-red, instead!
Without warning, it imploded with a loud pang and shattered. My poor heart almost shattered with it! It jumped so hard, I thought for a moment it would stop beating altogether. A flash of pure horror struck at the already stuttering organ, instantaneously spreading through my whole system.
I fell back on my bed, breathing rapidly as my heart seemed to be sprinting away at a full gallop. Ice-cold fingers squeezed my insides and my whole body was completely paralyzed, shaking with fear.
Oh God, oh God, oh God, oh God. . .!
I did not know what or even how to think. The mood and the terrifying scenes of the damn movie were back with full vengeance and I honestly felt that I had come close to a heart attack and was just barely alive.
After what seemed an eternity of just lying in my bed, quivering, it finally dawned on me that I had to do something.
To be more precise: I had to have light in my room. That was the only way to stabilize my emotions and my nerves.
Of course, since my bedside lamp was now unusable, I would have to switch on the main light, which was attached to the ceiling. But its switch was on the wall next to the door, which meant that I had to leave the relative sanctuary of my bed in order to reach it. A seemingly impossible task at that moment!
But I had to, there was no other way. Otherwise, I would lie in my bed, trembling and terrified, until the morning.
Gathering all my strength and courage, I decided to do it rip-off-a-band-aid-style: fast and hopefully almost painless.
I quickly jumped out of my bed, blindly stumbling for the door. At the same time, I fervently prayed that I would find the switch before my legs gave out. And for the lamp to work!
But what if it doesn't. . . or if the same thing happens a second time. . . No, don't even-
When my groping fingers hit their target and light flooded the room, I sank down onto the carpeted floor, almost in tears with the intense feeling of relief.
I shall never, ever, watch a movie like this again! I solemnly vowed. (Not that I had truly chosen to do so the last time. . .)
Unfortunately, I had the very disturbing feeling that it was already too late. Some inner door seemed to have opened and I had no idea how to close it or even what that entailed. . .
Not my most favorite night. . . But probably perfect for Halloween ;) (Although this was a real experience!)
I hope you enjoyed reading and that you might even enjoy commenting and voting :)
The picture called 'Angels and Demons' is by silverblazeangel from DeviantArt.
