The Sandman's Daughter

Nine

Nine

Cassie's eyelashes fluttered against her skin. She knew she was on the edge of dreaming. She struggled against the bonds of sleep threatening to drag her down to oblivion's keep. It would be one thing if she stayed there, but she knew it would only be a matter of seconds before she was slammed into someone's nightmare.

Sure enough. Her soul felt a tug and she was whisked away. As the darkness closed in on her, she became aware of a presence close by. Hot breath trickled down the back of her neck as she tried to orientate herself.

"No," she hissed, sitting straight up as her eyes flew open. She took a breath as she looked around the room, a handful of students stared back at her.

She'd fallen asleep in the middle of Mr. Rice's classroom. It could have been worse, though. She could have woken up screaming on the floor. She knew that was what the fear was in her fellow student's eyes as they watched her.

"You okay, Cassie?" Mr. Rice asked, worry deep in his eyes.

She glanced at the other students and shrugged. "As good as can be expected."

He nodded, the dark circles under his eyes accentuating how tired he was. "I know what you mean." He sighed as the students watched him with fretful eyes. "Sitting around here isn't doing us any good." He glanced at the clock. "The principal will probably hate me, but what the heck. Go home early. Spend time with your loved ones."

The students jumped up, not having to be told twice. They cleared out as fast a pack of teenagers could.

Cassie sighed as she gathered her books. She didn't want to go home. The only place she had to go was an empty house to battle fatigue all alone without any distractions to keep her awake. She didn't know how much longer she'd win the war against sleep.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

Cassie looked up and found Mr. Rice leaning against the desk next to hers. She held back a groan. He meant well, but what could she say? She carried the weight of the town on her shoulders and she couldn't tell anyone about it.

"No. Not really," she admitted as she stood up from her seat. "It could be worse, though. So, I'll manage."

He nodded but remained silent.

She moved past him quickly, not wanting to talk about it anymore. She was almost to the door when he called her name. Hesitantly, she turned around.

"If you need to talk about anything, I'm here."

She smiled sadly. It was a sweet gesture, but he couldn't help her with her problems. No one could. "Thank you," she said and walked out. This was one nightmare she was going to have to deal with herself.