Shadows From the Abyss

Nightmare

Shawn bolted upright in bed, his breathing ragged, sweat on his neck, chest and forehead. He frantically looked around the dark loft apartment around him, terrified of where the shadow that had been chasing him disappeared to. But he saw no monsters in the soft glow from the street lights outside. Only moving boxes and what hadn't been packed up yet.

The violent shaking of a dog collar reassured him he was back in reality as his faithful dog Bayley came trotting across the room and licked his shaking hand. The white on the center of her face and chest glowed in the dark room, a beacon to give him hope that everything was okay and his nightly nightmare was just that; a nightmare. She hopped on the full size bed and sat beside him with a heavy sigh.

"My little savior," Shawn smiled, petting her head gently before he laid back and tried to slow his pounding heart. Tonight's nightmare was an incredibly vivid replay of the afternoon his half brother, Frankito, had sexually assaulted him back at their father's home in Oakland. Shawn licked his dry lips, feeling phantom tennis ball fuzz clogging his throat. He rolled over and gently circled his hand off the side of the bed, trying to locate his water bottle on the floor without knocking it over. When he finally grazed the side with his finger, he adjusted his hand and gripped the room temperature bottle.

[i]Take a sip of water and take a breath. It's over. It was just a dream.[/i] Shawn thought to himself. He sat up again, the warm light from the street lamp hitting his eyes. He winced and turned his head away, letting his eyes fall on the digital clock on his night stand. 4:15 the red letters glowed. 4:16. Shawn sighed and took a sip of water. It was 1:16 back in California so his father would likely be asleep; he had to try and ride this one out on his own. [i] Deep breath in........and let it out. He's locked up and can't hurt you here. [/i] He felt his heart rate start to slow as he scratched Bayley behind her ears.She was the best dog he could have asked her; a border collie pit bull mix. She was intelligent and beautiful, but stubborn and crazy sometimes. When he was upbeat and full of energy, she trotted along beside him anywhere he went and when he was feeling down and out she sat beside him and rode the wave out with him. He was never alone with his companion by his side. Not anymore.

"You're such a good girl, Bayley," He smiled. "Wanna try this sleep thing again?" He looked around the apartment one more time, making sure there was no angry shadow man lurking in the corners.

The apartment was barren, what little furniture he owned already donated aside from his bed and bedside table. The walls that were once covered in photos and posters were now empty and bare, aside from the back accent wall he had hand painted two years ago when he moved in. The curtains on the four windows had been taken down, allowing the light from outside to pour in and flood the room, illuminating the white walls. The fridge and kitchenette had been emptied and packed away. Tomorrow he would move in with his grandparents three miles down the road, taking over his mother's childhood bedroom. All he was taking with him was his pictures, clothes, bed and dog, That was all he needed in this world.

Shawn laid back down and took a deep, cleansing breath, letting his eyes slowly close. Tomorrow was a new day. He would take what little was left, shove it in a U-Haul and leave his apartment behind. He wasn't excited about losing some of his independence but it beat moving all the way back to California where his father would undoubtedly watch and question his every move. It was great he wanted to help Shawn cope and get better, but being locked in the house and asked 'How are you' every hour was not the way to do it. His grandparents had already set a curfew of two AM and to make sure he was taking his meds and eating dinner every day, but other than that he was free to do as he wished and go where he wanted.

Suddenly, the atmosphere of the room shifted from relaxed and warm to tense and freezing cold. Shawn opened his eyes and slowly lifted his head, still seeing nothing. Bayley had fallen back asleep and was snoring softly, causing Shawn to think maybe he was imagining the temperature drop. He closed his eyes and rolled over, trying to relax and drift back off. But the room remained cold, the air thick and heavy. [i] It's nothing. Just go to sleep. Just relax. [/i]