First came the ticking sounds, which lasted about ten seconds. Then came the high pitched ¨cheps¨ sounds which were repeated in a echo lasting about 7 or 8 seconds. These sounds were on and off throughout the course of a usual day. I'll see the same figure in my dreams every night making those noises. He wasn't human, but he wasn't evil either. I named him Ticchep because of the noises he made. Today was different. I woke up today and heard something else almost immediately that gave me a small panic attack. It was a long, loud screech that sounded like nothing i've ever heard before. It was terrifying and sent chills down my spine. I was scared out of my mind. I couldn't even get out of my own bed. Eventually I gathered the courage to get up and get dressed. It was Thursday, and I had school. I brushed my teeth and ate a small bowl of cereal. I couldn't get that sound out of my head. It sounded evidently close, like it was just in my head. Maybe it was. That would make sense. I left my house, and locked the front door. I got into my sedan and drove to the closest coffee shop. I picked up a small latte and headed towards Hinsdale Central High School. I drove by a homeless man screaming about the end of the world. It looked like nobody was really listening though. Poor guy. Probably looking for attention. I barely made it to first period on time. I sat down and put my bag down. I heard Ticchepś little melodies and sounds for a few minutes while the class sat in silence. Mr. Partin took attendance and had us take out a book to read.
¨Just read by yourselves for a few minutes. No big plans for today¨. I had no desire to read for 30 minutes straight. What's the point of reading books in high school? Like it's not like you're gonna forget how to read after 5 years of elementary and 3 years of middle school. You're taught it all there. Not to mention but you're always reading anyway. Whether it's just reading a full article on the history of marshmallows, or deciphering which bathroom is male and female without the stupid girl and boy icons on the door. Who gives crap whether or not you're slightly below average reading skills, at least you can read. Instead of reading I just sat there in silence thinking about my last few dreams and what they could have meant. When you have Insomnia and Nightmare disorders then these dreams could mean anything. Especially when you're seeing demons and people getting their intestines getting pulled inside out. Id say thats concerning to say the least. Thirty minutes passed pretty quick thinking about all of this.
¨Alright guys thirty minutes is up. Put away your books.¨ exclaimed Mr. Partin ¨
¨You can have the last five minutes of class to yourselves. I suggest you use these precious seconds you have to finish any homework you did not complete for second period.¨ He said.
The last few classes leading up to lunch were pretty uneventful. I walked into the cafeteria and took my seat at one of the tables against the back wall. I ate lunch alone. I brought a BLT sandwich. Nothing special. Just a regular, old Bacon Lettuce Tomato Sandwich with Mayo. As I was enjoying my classic B.L.T, I saw a black shadow drift across the front of the cafeteria in the corner of my eye. I looked ahead, and saw what looked like one of the demons in my dreams. It didn't just look like it. No, I was sure it was one of the demons. I almost fell out of my seat. It was tall, grey and black, and skinny as hell. It wasn't human. It's face looked like it was covered by flesh but you could almost make something out. It was saying something. Everything else but the sound it was making silenced around me. I was transfixed by it. I was waiting for the creature to move, but it never shifted an inch. It was mocking me. I stood there just waiting
