Remember

Introduction

Every night I have the same dream. A boy is running through the woods, laughing and calling my name. I run after him, but he is always out of reach. Always laughing, always smiling. I reach for his extended hand, but I never make it. He slips farther and farther away into the dark until I am alone.

Then there is a bright light that blinds me. When it goes out, I'm standing in the courtyard in front of my house. The three-story building towers over me, gray and foreboding. Storm clouds begin to gather around, darkening the sky.

The front door slowly opens and standing behind it is my mother with her eyes blackened out. She approaches me, never blinking. When she's standing right in front of me, she leans in.

"You will never leave," she whispers.

Then I wake up. I don't jump or wake up short of breath. My eyes slowly open. My breathing is steady and all I feel is numbness. I reach up and touch my cheek to find it streaked with tears.