Not A Nap
I felt unusually light when I first woke up. I figured I’d slept really well. I couldn’t even remember falling asleep and I had no idea how long I’d slept. As I walked out of my bedroom I noticed how light all my limbs felt. It was almost as if I was gliding through the hallway to my mother’s bedroom. The door was ajar so I peered in.
“Mum?” I called quietly.
My mum was sitting on the bed with her back to me. She seemed to be quietly sobbing.
“Mum? What’s wrong?”
There was no response. I figured she wanted to be left alone, so I decided to just go down to the kitchen for some food.
My sister, Carey, was in the kitchen when I got there. She had her headphones in, blastong music.
“Carey!” I called out to no response.
I walked up behind her and tapped on her shoulder. She just shrugged me off and continued about her business.
“Fine. Ignore me then.” I said to her unaware back.
I decided I wasn’t really hungry, so I’d just find something else to do. It was strange. I was always hungry after a long nap, but at that moment I didn’t really feel anything. No hunger. No thirst. Nothing.
I went back upstairs and headed towards my bedroom. As I passed my little brother’s bedroom he came running out after me.
Wide eyed and wild he said, “You’re here! I thought you’d never come back!”
“What?” I asked, “I didn’t go anywhere, I’ve been asleep this whole time, Billy.”
Billy looked confused, “You didn’t look asleep when they took you away.”
Billy always said strange stuff, but this was insane, even for him.
“What are you on about?” I demanded.
“Mum and Carey have been pretty upset. Did you tell them you’re back? I’ve been having PB&J every meal for days!” Billy exclaimed.
“Days? Honestly Billy, what’s up with you? Did you take a brownie from my room?”
“Nah Carey took those. What did you write in that note? I didn’t get to read it, but it made mum cry.”
“What note? You’re cooked bud.”
And at that, I’d had enough of his games, so I went to my room and closed the door behind me.
I sat down at my desk to find a note sitting there. It aas definitely in my handwriting, but I didn’t remember writing it. Out of curiosity I picked it up to read it. Immediately, I noticed a few red droplets on the page.
As I read the note, memories came flooding back. Crying. A razor blade. Seering pain in my arms. Left and then right. Dizziness. Somehow I ended up on the floor. Blood everywhere. Regret.
I dropped the note and ran back out to the hallway. Billy was playing in his room again. I didn’t know what to do.
“BILLY!” I screamed.
Billy looked up calmly. I fell to my knees in front of him.
“Billy I’m dead. I think I’m dead.”
Billy smiled, “I know.”
