Looming Shadows

Like a kickback of a horse, I was instantly awake. The covers had been ripped to one side as if someone insane had run out of the bed. I only had a white T-shirt and some gray sweatpants on. Also, my wife had turned on all of the lights. My wife is very particular about keeping the lights off inside when it’s dark. However, it may be only 6 a.m. It feels like noon. The dark, luminous clouds in the sky loomed over the quaint little town over the villa. The lights from traffic and the building lights were bright even at this hour of the night. My wife is still asleep, even with the covers almost halfway across the bed frame. She is a heavy sleeper and has a frequent afternoon shift as an RN at Riverview General Hospital inside the Emergency Department. My wife has always loved to help people; she told me that when she was younger, she used to play pretend doctor with her friends and helped them patch their imaginary wounds. She once was in full, deep sleep while our downstairs neighbors had fire alarms and running kids going around.

While gliding through our apartment, I reach our kitchen; it’s furnished with light brown cabinets with light brown knobs for the handles. A silver island sink is in the middle, and two dark brown stools are along the island. As I’m standing in the kitchen, I walk towards the left side of our cabinets, find a slim stainless steel chef’s knife with a dark brown handle, and put it into my right hand.

As I swiftly walked into the hallway of our house towards the front room, I felt an urge that I had not felt before. Although I am fully awake, I can tell that my mind is not. It’s like my mind is on autopilot, and my own body is along for the ride. It almost feels like someone or something is calling me towards the outside. As if to say, ”Come outside; there is something for you to see." It’s like an urge that does not seem to run away, like a little kid asking for ice cream from their parents at an ice cream shop on a humid summer day. Why am I moving so fast? Where am I going?

I can’t stop this feeling; I must go outside. I put on my socks and shoes and approached the front door. As I opened the loud and creaky door, I saw the road lights on either side of the road; their brightness was almost overbearing to my eyes. I had to find what this thing was leading me to, whether it was someone or something. Whatever it may be, it’s essential. I see dark red all around me. Sweat is dripping from my eyes like a river gushing with running water. I’m sprinting, but I don’t know why. I’m in the city but can’t remember how I got here. I don’t know where I am, but there’s a reason why I’m here. I can’t explain it. Something is calling me to be out here, and it wants more. I’m alone. I feel like I’m wearing my pajamas because everything around me is soft, and my shoes are muddy. Where is everybody? Why am I alone? It’s pitch black. I can’t even see my hand in front of my face.

Then, the girl appears…