Nightmare Archives

Archive Zero: Paranoia

April - 1 - 2020 / 2:59 AM

" What was that? " My body lies flat on a soft surface, my back feels completely stiff for some reason. I attempt to get up, but my entire body became unresponsive, with no absolute control of myself whatsoever, even as little as swiveling my head was pointless. I'm stuck, but why?

I opened my eyes, but only the dark ceiling stares back, the window shines a yellowish light from across the street. "Ah.. I see.. I'm having another episode of sleep paralysis." I sighed, and relaxed my stiff body, my feet are cold, completely numbed, as if there are pins and needles inside it. My forearm feel heavy, the sensation of being handcuffed against the bed. My chest feels tight, I can feel my stomach following along the slow beats of my heart, at the same time, it feels hot.

I started counting seconds while aimlessly staring at the dark ceiling, trying my best not to imagine one of my demons suddenly appearing in front of my vulnerable body. I started thinking of a girl, but in turn made it worse. I heard a thud from the corner of the room, my coffee table to be exact.

I couldn't even blink, but now that I think about it, I couldn't even tell if I'm awake and aware that I'm hallucinating. Normally this happens whenever I have a fever. But none of that matters, I felt my neck before and had no symptoms or warmth sensation. I continue staring against the dark ceiling.

With approximately a minute and twelve seconds being counted, I felt something move, something cold and heavy made contact with my right leg. With no assurance of what it is, I panicked, but I couldn't express myself. Only several seconds later, I regained my senses and was able to lift my head. Nothing was on me, I tapped my digital clock on my desk, "2:59 AM" it showed.

"Oh, it's that again." I thought to myself, I lied down and zipped up my sleeping bag all the way and slept.

Somehow, I heard sirens passing by our neighborhood, it grew louder, and louder, my ears were ringing when it was close to the window until it faded away. My heartbeat raced as I tried to catch my breath.

My vision grew heavy, I turned to my side, now facing the wall and I was finally able to sleep.

Until I heard someone knocking from outside, I assume it's our drunk neighbor being locked out again, but I never saw him again even before the quarantine took place. Fear and Curiosity crippled my thoughts, as best as I can, I ignored the situation as the furious knocking continued. It stopped.

I was able to doze off, but still couldn't dream, let alone sleep. A few minutes have passed, my thoughts drifted, I started thinking about my friends who now has their own lives.

It became quiet. I can't hear the A/C, but it still felt cold even under a thick sleeping bag.

I heard the doorknob hinge.

At this hour, it would be my parents checking if I'm still awake. But as I'm facing the wall, my back turned against them, Neither of us wouldn't be able to tell apart.