The §ketchBoøk

Chapter One

It's another one of those restless nights.
I found myself tugging, yanking and fussing about just trying to get my stiff cover pulled over my freezing body.

I shifted onto my side, facing my colorless wall.
Slowly my eyes closed shut.
I began Inhaling and exhaling.
It was the only thing I could hear in my desolate room, the hypnotizing rhythm of my own breaths.

Everything was tranquil until my body began seizing.
At that moment I came to the realization that I wouldn't this sleep night.
I sighed heavily, pulling off my covers.

I walked through the short hall that leads to my fridge.
It's cold breath pecked my legs as I opened its door.
I looked down seeing trails of goosebumps across my skin.

I scanned the refrigerator for some milk.
Upon spotting it I plucked it from its spot, emptying it into a glass.
I chugged the glass rather swiftly, barely finding the space in my mind to enjoy it.

I sat down on the couch and watched a few episodes of my favorite tv show.
For the most part, I wasn't watching.
I couldn't stop thinking about my nightmares, and what they were about.
When I'm in one, I feel like it's trying to tell me something.

A joke in the tv show had me snap back to reality.
I let out a chuckle.

Stomping sounds came towards me, I whipped around in panic.
My mother was standing before me, frowning.

"Patrick, what are you doing up baby?" She let out in a soft voice, wearing a face of concern.

I let out a sigh and fidgeted with my messy hair "It's nothing mom, sorry I woke you up, please go back to bed." I said.
Leaning over the couch, she kissed my forehead "Ok; I love you too." she paused "just please go to bed soon, you have school tomorrow."

I watched as she slowly walked back into her room.

After a few minutes, I shut off the tv.
I found myself scared to go to bed because who knows what nightmare I'll have next.
Sitting down I begin indulging in how comfortable my couch is.
Should I even go to bed?
I shook my head; I refuse to go back to bed.
Continuing to sit on my sofa, I debate if I should even tell my mom why I didn't go to bed.
In my opinion, it's better not to say anything.
Let's be realistic, Mother's worry for their kids' health.
My mother will get worried, she might even contact the nurse.
In actuality, I'm not going to tell anyone about my dreams.
I crossed my arms, flopping myself over.
Feeling discomfort, I reached towards a pillow that was propped up on my sofa.
I touched it, feeling how soft and shaggy it was.
I forced it beneath my neck, slowly resting my head onto it.
Fully stretching my body out, I felt a cold breeze.
It was the air conditioning.
I pulled out a small baby blanket from underneath me and spread it out on my medium sized body.
I still plan to keep my eyes wide open.

Around 12 o'clock I started to feel light-headed.
I began struggling to keep my eyes open.
Suddenly I jumped up from the couch and commenced a plan: do jumping jacks.
I need to stay awake; I know I'll have a nightmare if I don't.
Each jumping jack seemed more like one hundred.
By the time I'd done ten jumping jacks, I felt so worn out I had to stop.
I fell over onto the couch and the next thing I knew, I was dreaming.

Tossing and turning once again, I look around the living room.
It's pitch black, I can't see my hand in front of my face.
Suddenly, I see tall trees, I think I'm in a forest.
I hear my own breaths, and I pick myself off the cold ground.
I have a dying urge to leave.
My feet are so tired, every time I take a step the ache grows.
By the time I get up to a run, my legs are almost screaming to stop.
I turn my head, stopping in my tracks.
There is a shadowy figure gazing down at me.
It looks harmless and quiet, but it is as tall as the twin towers.
Anything that height is intimidating.
I walk towards it, the opposite direction of where I felt like going.
"Hello?" I said to it in a meek voice.
It had glowing yellow eyes with a perpetual blank stare.
"Why am I here?" I asked.
It smiled, "This place isn't good for you. I'm simply here to guide you out."
Its tree trunk arm reached out to touch my shoulder.