Nightmare

Sleep Without Song

I lie in the hospital bed, staring at the ceiling. I have should have killed myself when I had the chance. Now we're all fucked.

Loki leaves the room after the lecture I just gave him.

I'm alone. So I try to sing myself to sleep. Like I always do. To keep alive the memories of my dead friends, I sing songs by their favorite singers. And now, it's such a habit that I can't sleep without song.

I begin shakily, softly.

"You're alone,

you're on your own,

So what, have you gone blind,

Have you forgotten what you have and what is yours?

My voice gets shakier, yet stronger. I try to keep it quiet as the melody flows from my lips.

"Glass half empty,

glass half full,

Well, either way you won't be going thirsty

Count your blessings, not your flaws.

"You've got it all

You lost your mind in the sound

There's so much more,

You can reclaim your crown."

I stifle a yawn.

"You're in control,

rid of the monsters inside your head.

Put all your faults to bed,

You can be king again."

My eyes start to close.

"You don't get what all this is about

You're too wrapped up in your self-doubt

You've got that young blood,

Set it free . . . "

(+)

I awake with a start. The fiery encounter a few days ago triggered some nightmares.

I notice there are a shit ton of bandages on my arms and the tubes and monitors are all gone.

Except one monitor, which Brand is examining and taking notes from right now.

"Hello," I say, and wince. My throat is so dry it hurts.

She gives me a curt nod.

"Where are we?" I ask hoarsely.

She turns to me, and ours meet--hers are blue now. "No."