It's All In Your Head {Sequel to STCG}

Chapter 17 - "She's insane."

My legs... They had never ran as fast as they had that day. I felt like a speedy cheetah, but with fear knotting in my stomach. What was happening to Mum? Who was harming her? Was someone I dreaming this, what is a nightmare?

I ran round street after street, trying to retrace my steps — but I had no idea where I was going. I'd completely forgotten how to get home and it was beginning to get colder and colder. The hairs on my arms were standing up on end and my teeth were chattering violently. Just as violent as how I was going to be.

Feeling lost, I stopped a grown man with his hood covering his eyes. Smoke spiraled from his dry lips as I asked him how to get to my address, until I realised what massive mistake I'd made. I had just told this grown, lethal-looking man my home address without even stopping to think. What were you thinking, Emma? What were you thinking...

"I just passed that road," he whispered in a croaky voice. "You turn left out here... And then turn right on the... Second right."

I ran off immediately, not bothering to thank him. He looked creepy enough anyway.

"She's insane," I heard him mutter as I sprang off.

Eventually, his directions lead me to a road I was familiar with. I worked out the quickest way and sprinted as fast as I could to the correct place, arriving at my house. All the lights were off.

Mum wouldn't go to sleep with me missing...

Panick set in instantly. Shit. Shit. Shit!

I don't know why... I walked round the back door leading to the garden, and went to my back door. It was already ajar. My hands were trembling as they pushed it opened wider, and I fit my body inside. It was almost pitch black, but the light from the lamp posts outside were enough to let me see the outline of obstacles. I pushed things out the way carefully and looked around. It was silent.

Upstairs, I heard a bang. Followed by a deep humming sound. A song.

"Oh, Emma, Emma,
Emma, dear.
There's no need to worry,
No need to fear.
For you will be deep,
Deep deep asleep.
And soon you too,
Your dreams will come true."

I didn't really understand it, but what I feared most was how honest and menacing the voice sounded. My senses awakened when he finished his song.

"Like the woman, asleep in her bed...
You too, you too will be dead."

I pulled the door open with such force, it bounced against the wall and knocked me off my feet. My arms flailed about for protection but I couldn't see enough to prevent getting hurt. And what's worse, that was when I heard the front door creaking open... Closing quietly.

Then there was silence.

I stood up and peered out the window worriedly, only to see the lamp posts lighting the street dimly. Turning to the stairs,  I bounded up them and smashed open the door. It made a loud bang and made me jump.

But what made me jump even more... What made me feel sick... What made me cry...  What made me desperate to leave the world... Was seeing Mum, asleep on her bed.

I noticed a darker area on her duvet, but didn't turn on the light to see it. What was the point in scaring myself when I already knew what it was?

The song was right. Mum would be in a deep, deep sleep. Forever.