Letting Go

Chapter 1

I'm trapped in a glass box. I pound relentlessly on the glass, hoping that someone will hear me, anyone. Of course, no one comes, as usual. It's so dark I can barely see my trembling hands, much less my fearful reflection on the glass.

Someone turns on the lights. I stagger backwards in surprise and cover my eyes. The light is blinding compared to the darkness before. I squint, trying to see who has come in.

My eyes finally adjust enough to see a figure dressed in all white holding a clip board and writing things down feverishly. She looks up and gives me a smile so creepy it chills me to the bone.

I shrink back into a the corner of the glass box and hug my knees tightly to my chest. She types in a passcode and part of the box sides back. Only now do I realize there are two guards standing next to the woman. They reach in and each one grabs one of my arms. I let out a whimper as they pull me out and drag me by the arms.

I wake up suddenly in my bed. I'm breathing heavily and I'm wet with sweat. I take a deep breath and try to calm down. It's just a dream, it's just a dream. My roommate Carly must have heard me jolt awake because I see the lamp next to our beds flicker on. It reminds me of when the woman in my dream turned on the lights, and I nearly fall of my bed when I jump backwards.

When I look over at Carly, she looks worried. "June, are you alright?" She asks me, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.

I nod, trying to catch my breath. "Yah... I'm fine. Just a... Another bad dream." I say. I get out of bed and walk over to the bathroom.

"June, it seems like they're getting worse. This is the third time this week. I think you need to talk to someone." Carly says sleepily, as she follows me into the bathroom.

I splash my face with cold water, and feel her gentle hand on my shoulder. "June."

"I know, I know. Really, they aren't that bad. They just rattle me a little. It's just I've been stressed lately, that's all." I say, drying my face with a hand towel. I honestly don't know why I'm having such horrible nightmares lately.

"June, you woke up screaming. I think they more than 'rattle' you. You shouldn't treat it like it's no big deal. They can help you."

"I woke up screaming?" I ask. Wow. None of my nightmares seem scary when I wake up, but when I'm dreaming they feel so... Real. It's like the fear was already there.

"Yes, you didn't realize you were screaming? Ok, that's it. I'm taking you to the doctors. Tomorrow."

"You mean in two hours?" I say, looking at the clock.

"Yes. In two hours." She sighs and walks back to her bed, turning off the lamp. "Goodnight."

I stand at the counter for a moment, and then I crawl back into my own bed. I close my eyes but sleep doesn't come. I'm glad. I wasn't looking forward to another dream anyways, so I lay awake and stare at the ceiling.