Nightmares [n.h.]

Prologue

"I remember it like it was yesterday. It was cold outside, and there were flurries of snow falling to the ground. I was awoken suddenly by the sound of someone screaming. It was my mother's voice. I was used to the yelling, but I had never heard her scream like this before. I sat up in bed and looked at the clock beside my bed. It was three twenty-one a.m. As quietly as I could I got out of bed and walked across my small bedroom to the door which was cracked open slightly. I peered out into the living room where my parents slept on the pullout couch bed. But they weren't sleeping. My mom...she..." I trailed off.

My counselor's lips pursed together into a small frown. "It's okay honey. Take your time. Breathe."

"I can't do it." I stated.

She smiled, like she always does, in an understanding way. "Next time then, okay? I'm not going to force you to relive this, but the sooner you tell someone about it, the sooner the nightmares will go away."

I nod my head and walk out of her office.

Of course I want the nightmares to go away. But it's not as easy as she thinks it is. I don't cry in front of people, and if I try to explain to her what I witnessed that night, 10 years ago I know for sure that I will end up crying. And I can't let her see me that way. Even if she is trying to help me.