Tired Eyes

Chapter 5: Tired Eyes

I spent my entire day in that field. I started from one corner and dug a two foot hole under each and every daisy in sight. I was very meticulous, not leaving a single flower standing. From that moment until sunset, I worked without end tearing the field apart. I searched the whole area, I dug as deep as I could, and I used every last bit of energy I had until I had made a hole underneath every single daisy in the mile long field. Yet I found nothing...

At twilight, my clothes were drenched and covered in mud. My entire body was aching from the demanding physical labor I had been doing. My legs felt like they could give out at any moment. It took me hours to realize it, but my efforts had been completely useless.

"Why... Why did this have to happen to me...?" I was only answered by the rain splattering against the ground. There was no one I could tell about what happened on this day. There wasn't a single person who could tell me that everything would be okay... I suffered through this alone, all because of that horrid little monster.

I looked up at the clouds with my sore neck and thought only of how the time I lost couldn't be taken back. "I should have done it..." I thought aloud. "I should have crushed that little insect while I had the chance..."

I headed home on shaky, cramped feet that day. I was well aware of my defeat. At least I could go back to my house and just pretend this day didn't even happen.

--

I walked through the back door, immediately dripping mud onto the floor. "Noah, my heavens, where have you been? And why are you so filthy?"
"Tch, I had a rough day..." I had no energy left for politeness.
"Don't take that tone with me, young man!"

I took off my hoodie and sat down at the dinner table. Yessie sat across from me, looking confused. "What's wrong, Noah?"
I sighed. "I don't wanna talk about it. Just leave me al--" I cut myself off. Yessie's my little sister. There was no reason to take my frustration out on her. "I'm fine, Yess. Thanks for your concern,"

She shrugged and went back to staring off into space. Mom stood at the oven, preparing something inside. "Hey Noah, dinner's almost ready, get yourself cleaned up." she ordered.
"Yes ma'am."

I stood up from my chair and left the dining room. I went to my room and changed into a clean set of clothes, feeling a bit more refreshed. Soon after, I headed to the bathroom and shut the door.

I flipped the light switch, but only one light came on. The room was dim and flickering, but it was still more than enough to see in. I looked at my reflection, being instantly aware of how utterly pitiful I was. My eyes were puffy and had bags under them, and the spaces underneath were red as if I had been wiping them all day. I guess I was so hard at work earlier that I completely forgot about my allergy to pollen. I looked pathetic, but what's new there?

I turned on the sink's faucet and watched the water flow out. I could clearly hear the sound of the pipes creaking from underneath. After a bit, the squeaking became more rapid and random, like something was crawling around in there. I  waited there for a couple seconds until the noises died down proceeded in washing my face. I got a handful of water and washed the dirt and grime off my cheeks. Afterwards, I squeezed the soap dispenser rubbed my hands together thoroughly.

Without warning, the pipes creaked again, startling me yet again. I grunted and ignored it this time... or at least, I tried to. The screeching sounds only grew louder and more frequent, making it near impossible to just ignore at that point. I assumed it was just my imagination, but for a moment, the sound of the pipes mixed with the trickling of water down the drain... almost sounded like a child's laughter. My heart rate started to elevate as the noise echoed louder trough my mind until I couldn't take it anymore. I quickly turned the handle on the sink, making the water come to an abrupt stop. As the last of it drained out, the laughter faded. I was alone in that room without a clue as to what was going on.