Mirror Image, Part 5,

13

I watch quietly as my room gets darker and darker.

The setting sun dipping below the horizon.

Taking with it the light.

And with the light.

The pain.

As the shadows grow longer and the remaining rays of light retreat back into oblivion.

I throw the covers off of me.

Feeling safe in the shadow’s delicate embrace.

I like how daytime can change so emotionlessly into night.

Like clockwork.

Each and every day.

I hear a call.

My name.

I sit up.

It must be dinner.

What else could it possibly be?

Not like I’m important enough to have anything of vital importance take place in my life.

I wait a moment.

In silence.

My name again.

I am needed.

Wanted.

For what?

I do not know.

But whatever it is, it has to be better than laying around moping in my room.

I sit up and get out of bed.

Stretch.

A yawn follows.

Then I stride forwards and open my door.

14

The dreaded light returns.

Reminding my eyes to hurt again.

Dammit.

Why can’t I ever get five minutes without something hurting?

The hallway was empty.

I rub my pale green eyes.

My name is called once more.

I make my way across the hall and down the stairs.

Into the entryway.

Everything emanated a sense of nostalgia.

Odd.

But not out of the ordinary.

I enter the dining room.

My father, mother, sister sat.

Waiting.

For me?

I take a seat at my usual spot.

Across from my sister.

Next to my mom.

Strange.

The way we all sat and remained silent for such a long moment.

Felt as though we were a portrait.

Their eyes were all on me.

Was it because I was the only one wearing my pajamas?

Or because they were observing me.

Making sure it was safe before they spoke.

They don’t need be.

I can’t hurt any worse.

Can I?

I think I’m just being a bit too stubborn with my way of thinking.

It’s pretty dismal and centers quite a bit on me.

Should stop and listen to what my loved ones want to say.

Who knows, it might help.

But as their mouths start to move, my eyes look down.

And I block out every word.

15

1…… 2…… 3……. 4.

I look at the ceiling, counting the seconds.

5….. 6…… 7…… 8.

Each second another lonely moment wasted.

9…… 10……. 11…… 12.

Left dwelling on the nightmares of my recent memories.

13….. 14….. 15.

I sit up.

I wanted to scream.

 Instead I take a deep breath and fall back on my bed.

I thought I felt its touch again.

Just my imagination.

I close my eyes for a second.

Open them then start once more.

1….. 2…. 3….. 4.