Mr. Sandman

Rampage

It was a quiet night. The apartment was quiet and nothing moved other than the bland late-night show on the television along with the peaceful breathing of the cute puffball in my lap. I felt dead as I lay on the sofa, patting Bomi's newly cut head. Everything was peaceful but I couldn't help the uneasy feeling lingering in my chest.

Seri and Jung-hyeok left this morning for their vacation, leaving me and Bomi to ourselves. I pampered the puppy as I took her to the dog-spa where her fur was fluffed to perfection. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that she resembled an extremely puffy cloud and the small bow on her ear just made her more endearing.

The host on TV continued to drawl drearily as if trying to lull his audience to sleep. Why I was even watching this? Oh yeah... I was too lazy to change it and the sofa was way too comfortable. It was nearly 10 PM when I decided to go back to my room when my phone rang.

"Hello?"

"LISHA!!! I'm engaged!!!" Seri yelled.

I squealed, "Congrats Seri!!! I'm so happy for you!"

"He was so sneaky! I asked him to take a selca of us under the flowers when he gets down on one knee to propose! Oh my God, I almost died from shock. I didn't know he would do that!"

A small smile formed on my lips. I couldn't help but be happy for her and proud of Jung-Hyeok. I gotta admit, I didn't know he could be bold enough to do it but I guess love made people do even the craziest of things.

"Before I go, I have an important question for you."

Weird. What could she possibly ask?

"Will you be my bridesmaid?"

"uh... you want me to be your bridesmaid? Really?"

She giggled, "Of course, silly! You're like a sister to me. We've been together since high school and I couldn't ask for a better friend!"

I smiled, "I'd be honored to be your bridesmaid... thanks Seri-ah, I love you!"

"I gotta go now, Hyukie's waiting for me. You and Bomi take care...and make sure the door's locked!"

"I will! Now go before your future hubby kills me for stealing you away."

I hung up and plopped down on my new bed. The foam was soft, the sheets freshly laundered, and it was big enough that my feet didn't even dangle from the end. It felt so good to lay on and didn't creak. I closed my eyes, snuggling into the lavender-scented pillow. It probably wouldn't take me long to fall asleep.

Tick-tock-tick-tock...Ba-bump... ba-bump... ba-bump...

Frustrated, I shot up and grabbed my phone. 2:39. The past two hours consisted of nothing but tossing and turning. The sheets were too soft, the lavender scent was too strong, and for some reason... it was too quiet. The ticking of the clock was loud. The thundering muscle in my chest beating too fast that my breath could not even catch up with the marathon it was running. Overwhelmed was an understatement. I was panicking and the shadows around the corners were growing larger. Whispers filled the room. They were talking in tongues I couldn't begin to comprehend.

Shaking, my hand reached out for the lamp on the bedside table. The shadows subsided, the whispers slowed but my heart continued to run.

In... out... in... out... in...out...

"She should be sleeping," a deep voice whispered.

My breath hitches, eyes wildly flying over the room, which was as empty as my bank account. Did the shadows begin to talk? Am I able to understand them now? No...The shadows stopped moving when I turned on the light. I looked under my bed finding...nothing.