Chapter 1
*Sits up, sweat dripping down my forehead, my hands shaky.* I swear I saw it... I SAW ITTT!!!
Five, no, six years ago, I had one of the most tiring days of my life. I'd just finished a long night shift. I worked as a waiter at a small restaurant, and I forgot my umbrella again. My boss was in a mood that day, yelling out orders and cussing at us. I didn't think much of it. She's grumpy most of the time. By the time my shift ended, the rain hadn't stopped. It had gotten heavier, but I was so tired I just wanted to go home. Now that I think back, I should have waited.
I walked out and started jogging, hoping to flag down a taxi, but the streets were empty. Which was weird.
I kept running, looking over my shoulder every few seconds. I had a strange feeling I was being followed, but I saw nothing. That only made me run faster. I got home a little after midnight and went straight to bed.
Sleep. I hate that word now. I envy insomniacs. I wake up at 2:45 every night, no noise, no dream. But that night, as soon as I closed my eyes, I was out.
2:45 AM. Again. Every night, like clockwork, like someone flicks a switch. But something was off. I looked around. Nothing, but I could feel it. I looked at the corner of the ceiling. He was there. Smiling. His head had turned all the way around to stare at me, hanging off his neck like it was normal.
I lay back down and laughed, shutting my eyes tight. It's just in my head.
I HATE SLEEP.
