IT31 || 31 days of IT

21 - Sleep Paralysis

Note: This one is completely inspired by Dead Awake

Ben's eyes shot open. The room was dark. He tried to turn his head but felt that his body wasn't reacting. He couldn't move. Fear overcame him. He tried to yell out for help. He tried catching Beverly's attention. But nothing. He was frozen.

Then, he heard it. The soft whispering in his left ear. The light growl that followed the soft grunt voice. He felt a tear roll down his cheek. Seconds later, he felt the little legs of a tiny black spider following the streak that his tear left behind.

The door opened and a white hand slapped the edge of the doorway. The long scrawny fingers curled around the wood and tapped a little beat. Ben stared in horror. Soon, a clown peeked around the corner. His terrifying giggle only added fear.

The clown dragged his hand down the wood and his head snapped to the side. With his body low to the floor, he crept into the room - crawling like he too was a spider. Every time he'd move a limb, a loud crack would come from his bones. His hands reached up over the end of the bed and his fingers danced along the sheets. 

Ben sat up quickly, breathing heavily and looking around the room. Everything was back to normal. The room was lit from the light of day. Beverly walked in seconds later, still dressed in pajamas but the aroma of breakfast followed her. She looked at him, concerned.

"Hey babe, what's wrong?" Beverly walked over to the bed and crawled onto it beside him. He looked at her and swallowed hard. He shook his head.

"Nothing...Nothing just a uh- Just a nightmare" Ben stammered. Beverly frowned, leaned in close, and kissed his soft cheek.

"You're okay then, love" she comforted him. "Breakfast is on the table" she smiled at him. He nodded and they both got up out of bed and went out for breakfast. They sat together and ate the breakfast that Beverly had made.

As they ate, Beverly continued looking over at Ben through her eyelashes. Ben looked at her and raised an eyebrow. After a dozen times of catching her, he sighed playfully.

"What are you staring at me for?" Ben asked. He rested his arm on the table then held his jaw on his hand. Beverly smiled a little and ran her fingers through her hair.

"I just was wondering what you had a nightmare about" Beverly mentioned gently. She reached over and rested her hand on his arm. He watched her hand then took it into his free hand.

"A dumb clown, not a big deal" Ben assured her. He offered a smile and took another bite of his meal.

"A clown?" She asked softly. Ben nodded. 

"White skin, orange hair, glowing eyes, sharp teeth. Just a stupid clown. Don't worry" he chuckled. Beverly nodded slowly.

"Mike had a nightmare about a clown the other night. That's such a coincidence" Beverly went back to eating. Ben furrowed his brows but thought nothing of it. 

That night, Beverly hummed to herself softly as she started the water for her bath. She got undressed and turned the water off when the tub was mostly full. She lowered herself in, letting her freckle covered body sink into the water so her head could rest on the back of the tub. She held the sides with her hands and let her muscles relax. 

She continued to relax until she slowly drifted off to sleep. 

Her eyes shot open. The bathroom lighting was very dim. The air felt colder above the water which cooled her pale cheeks. She tried to sit up but her body was stuck. She couldn't move a muscle.

She tried to force out her voice but couldn't find it. Her voice stayed trapped deep in her throat. All she could do was lay there and look around the darkened room. She heard the door creak open then shut. She heard the patter along the floor of bare hands slapping against it.