Awaking The Sun

luck that Naty wasn’t around tonight, Sundays were never like this. Friday night was so overwhelming that the thought of enduring it ag

ing out my phone. Still no response from Sky. I debated calling her again. So far, I’ve tried to call her three times today

osing duties. Of all the chores on the list, I decided to d

ing me shiver despite the warmth of my clothes. The sudden stilln

I was being

uneasy feeling. The night sky was clear, and the few street l

t the first time my instincts went haywire today and I doubt it will be the last.

ping and moved on to w

e task in just twenty minutes. The only thin

o call Jerry, this would be the first time

r was filled with an eerie silence as darkness surrounded me, and then suddenly a bone

think my instincts

move a muscle, while my hand tightly clutched

filled the air. The darkness was so complete that the only visible light came from the

ng counter. My hiding spot was beside a bleach bucket, which had not been emptied since my last sh

sound of my breathing, afraid that the source

uld under the counter, and quickly realized the only way out was through the unlocked back door. That would mean I’d have to cross the open space

e the lack of light, the steam from my breath was clearly visible, illuminated by the moonl

the sound of blood rushing in my ears. I had no idea where the creat

, like nails on a chalkboard. It came from behind me. If I could

the chance to escape. I was capable of outmaneuvering i

the chairs and tables, but thankfully nothing looked like it would obstruct my path. I cautiously shifted my legs and positioned my

t, and I was determ

the Game of Thrones theme song, the same tune that played whenever Sky ca

t was a grating, ear-splitting nois

I was. I was

th a thud as it hit the wall behind me. The screech of the creature pierced my ears once more, and I bra

acking it in its wake. This creature, unlike the one before, had a face. Its eyes were black, no whites to be seen. The face appeared as if it wer

eum floor as I raced through the dimly lit diner, heart racing. The sound of the creature's body slamming agai

As soon as I turned the door handle and pushed it open, I felt a sharp, stabbing pain in m

myself die he

ir was so cold that it felt like tiny knives piercing my skin. Wind blowing back my hair. As I sprinted down the sidewalk

know wh

k my dorm wou

anything woul

hat if I even slowed down a little, it wou

can

mind was definitely not a go

he pain at my back became. But I could still

a beeline towards them. The familiarity of the place was unse

nto the tree line. After a moment, I realized that the only thing I could hear was the rust

rt rate slow down, and I became more a

e only reason I was able to escape without falling to my knees in unbearable pain. I stopped running and pressed my back against a rough tree

white t-shirt hugged to my abdomen, soaked in a thick layer of blood. I shakingly put my hand on the wound, hissing as

d to find something to stop the bleeding. If I di

to rip off a piece. But It didn’t budg

t hop

t I text

use to either plug my gaping hole or rip the damn shirt off. I was g

carefully peel off my shirt. Despite my struggle, I managed to wrap the shirt around my body. Tying it a

maybe I could have one of them call the ambulance. But with the fear that it was jus

running or even walking bris

the path, every step sending a jolt of pain through my body. As I turned to my left, I realiz

erately against my rib cage. I looked around, clutching my wound, and saw nothing but silenc

t definit

leedi

st freaki

moving forward, despite

no clear direction. Each path I encountered appeared no different

diner. At least I was still walking. And most importantly, I hadn’t

mind in a warm embrace, I was able to c

how a full inhale would affect my wo

coldness and eerie silen

gs croaking and chirping further down the path. I doubted it would lead to c

I guess it was the only hope I had, maybe this forest circled back t

ing the sounds did I see a break in the tree

ame clearing as t

d me like a comforting shroud. The moon, peeking through gaps in th

s and the distant hooting of an owl. I had almost forgotten about the seething pain in my lower hip.

unding trees. Its mirrored surface reflected the moon’s gentle light, creating a mesmerizing tableau tha

f my footsteps on the forest floor seemed to echo through the silence. The faint aroma of damp

ross the surface. The pond welcomed my presence, as if understanding my desire for safety and healing.

s moment of vulnerability, offering a space for introspection and healing. The moonlight danced upon th

races of my blood, absorbing my pain and terrified emotions that clung to my skin. With each gentle stroke, I felt a release

been able to heal me. But even though those powers didn’t exist

as it washed away my pain, but before I knew it,

n.” I heard a man ye

ou to grab her, sh

ing to sleep. St

ready, not yet?” A smooth,

ing about me, then they can stop

system. If we don't take her to the Salutary, she won't

ooth voice pauses. “What happen

“Well, we figure it out the

t to go, le

ti

on of the water providing warmth vanished. My

exha

my pain

the only thing

t my min

d of distant voices. It felt like my body was being

s standing in the middle of a raging fire. I wanted to scream, to

happeni

glass piercing my lungs, my ski

the pain, unable

trap

re they touched, it felt like their hand

me, but I couldn’t register the words

ecame even more distorted. I could no longer tell if those agonizingly sm

sperately to the hope that whatever was

mind went numb. And it felt that the