Hers

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen

Sam eventually left, but the thing about Sam was, that even after he left, his presence sort of lingered for a while.  It was like he was still there, lighting up every nook and cranny of my home and making it seem not so hopeless.  After Sam’s visit, I didn’t feel so despondent.  Even if the whole protector thing failed and I did end up having to run away, I would be safe.

It was dark when I couldn’t feel Sam’s manifestation anymore.  The loneliness settled in after that and I almost couldn’t believe that I had made it a whole day without seeing Ace.  On the other hand, I couldn’t believe Ace actually stayed away.  Maybe the whole notion of leaving was just my way of blowing things out of proportion, maybe he would stay away.

The clock above the mantle read 11:23.  I yawned, feeling the activities of the day settling in on me and wearing me down.  As I made my way to the bedroom, I could feel a nervous energy pressing against me.  My head turned, checking the hallway behind me before I shut myself in my bedroom.  I settled into bed, pulling the sheets to my chin.  My blinds were shut, the curtains were drawn, a flashlight sat on my bedside table, ready to slice into the darkness if need be.

It’s incredible how persistent something like sleep is.  It’s a bodily function that absolutely refuses to be ignored.  I could’ve tried putting it off for as long as I dared, but eventually, I’d give in.  Despite my fear of what waited once I closed my eyes.  Despite what waited for me to fall into unconsciousness in the real world.  I gave in, because I simply was too tired to fight it anymore.

At first, this sleep was just like any of the others that I had experienced countless times before.  There’s darkness, peace, a moment where I’m half mindful and half blissfully unaware.  Then I can feel myself slipping.  Falling into something unknown.

But then there was something that took over.  Some force that grabbed hold of me and threw me into a new world.

A noise shook me from my sleep, ripping me from my sleep and throwing me into reality.  Scratching, clawing sounds against my mattress.  My eyes flew open and I tossed the covers away, expecting to see some animal in my sheets.  There was nothing.

The sound of stitches popping and fabric tearing filled my ears.  I pulled my knees to my chest and wrapped my arms around them.

Drip.  Drip.  Drip.

Small drops of liquid hit the floor underneath my bed.

My hand traveled to the nightstand and took hold of the flashlight sitting on top.

“Hello?”  I called into the darkness.

Drip.  Drip.  Drip.

Pressure built inside me until I coughed into my hand.  Looking down, a crimson liquid was splattered on my palm.  I felt a warm liquid run down from my nose.  I patted away the blood with my finger.

Drip.  Drip.  Drip.

The flashlight clattered to the floor and I found myself dropping beside the bed.  I lifted the sheet that hung over the bed and peered underneath.  I fumbled for the flashlight as the smell of metal threatened to choke me.  Blood dripped from my nose and onto the floor, smashing against the wood and splattering up again.  I coughed again, my lungs rasping for air, but still I fumbled for the light.

Once I found it, I clicked the button and a ray of light burst from the end of the torch.  I shone the light under the bed, first to be met by a puddle of dark liquid.  Panic filled me even before I found the source, but still I squinted under the bed.