Wide Asleep

Four: We'll Protect You.

Tuesday, October 30th, 2018
9:40 A.M.
Charlotte's P.O.V.
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I awake to the smell of fresh brewed tea tingling my nostrils, drawing me out of my coma-like state. I hear Pam gently knock on my door, and I mutter a drowsy greeting as she steps in, smiling.

"Hey, good morning! I made you some tea. Did you sleep alright?" She asks, a concerned glance pointing to me as she hands me the steaming mug that matches her own. I nod, blowing the hot tea gently to cool it, before sipping.

"I was just kinda worried; I could've sworn I heard you talking last night. But it could've been anything, my brain tricks me sometimes." She conveys her worry, to which I shrug, reassuring her through a smile.

"I do talk in my sleep sometimes, so that's what it probably was."

Pamela nods, smiling.

"I had a feeling. Your packages should be here around noon—I'm really hoping everything works out for your costume."

Pamela and I continue to make small talk over our tea, eventually making our way to the living room for some morning Netflix. She opens the windows to let some of the fresh autumn air in, breathing deeply and gratefully.

"I can tell you're feeling better." I suggest, the woman smiling and nodding as she takes a seat by me.

"For sure. Got a good night's rest, and some tea early this morning, so I should be good for a little while."

I merely nod along, the two of us soon silencing to the sound of some popular series or another flashing across the screen.

Pam soon gets a phone call, smiling as she answers.

"Amy, hey! How're you?"

She listens for a few minutes, giggling as she responds.

"Sure, that sounds awesome! I can ask her if she wants to go, too, I'm sure she would. We'll be ready."

She hangs up soon after, standing up.

"Amy, Mark, and Tyler are going to a pumpkin patch today; she asked if we would want to come along."

"That sounds fun." I reply simply, offering my friend a grin.

After a moment or two, we hear a rapping knock at the door, causing us both to gasp in both fear and surprise.

"It's here!"

The two of us jump to the door, opening it to kindly greet to woman who stands there, my few packages in hand.

"Good morning, ladies!" She greets us, and we respond while signing our names to claim the luggage. She soon heads on her way, and Pamela and I head back inside. We clear the coffee table, opening packages one by one. I move back and forth to and from my bedroom, having tried on each part of the outfit, finding everything to fit wonderfully.

Soon after I decide on a black sweater and a pair of burnt orange hole-filled jeans to wear today, I hear voices from the living room, alerting me that our friends are here. I decide to take my time, trying my best to attempt a candy-corn eye shadow look. After meticulously applying the perfect winged eyeliner and swiping on mascara to my long-yet-light eyelashes, I pull on some dark combat boots, slinging my purse over my shoulder. I head out to greet the group, who send me large smiles of anticipation as I do so.

"Hey, Charlotte! Are you ready to go?" Mark inquires, to which I nod.

"Absolutely."

2:35 P.M.

Since this morning, my head has gradually begun to pound with pain, drawing my focus to a much darker side of life.
No matter how my friends try to make me laugh, or hardly even smile, it is a fruitless attempt to rip away the mindless parasite sucking every emotion and feeling from my body but pain.