Wit's End

1: More than a Dream

The wind whipped ver my face and through my matted hair. My arms pumped furiously at my sides as my short legs propelled me forward. I willed them to go faster. They had to. They had to take me away from here and at this point it didn’t even matter where. My eyes frantically sweeped the surrounding area as I pushed myself to go speed by and leave it all behind me. My bare feet slapped against the pavement and sent echoes of pain throughout them. It was more than a slap, I pounded the pavement, I fought with the pavement. I gave back just as good as I got! My feet fought the earth while my fists fought the air. However, it was not a brawl with the elements that I desired. I simply wanted to go home. A burning sensation began to spread throughout my lungs as I struggled to keep them inflating and deflating quickly enough. My breaths came out in short, rapid gasps. It wasn’t enough. My gasp evolved into a sob as I heard the footfalls behind me, catching up. 

 

I can’t stop it, I can’t. 

 

In my haste to escape, I felt something slice through my foot. The pain began to ebb and spread with each step that I took, slowing me down. My mind began to it’s own mantra, 

 

“Pain doesn’t matter, life does! Pain is only temporary!”

 

My reminder allowed me to continue at the same rate for a short amount of time. I felt the more and more of my blood leaving my body and leaving a map for those chasing me. I flattened out my hands, as I had been taught, to push myself as far as I could. Just as I was about to use every ounce of strength to burst into a sprint, I felt something. A tingle - fingertips brushing the nape of my neck. My heart dropped to my stomach. I failed.

 

My eyes popped open as I gasped and started panting heavily. It was just a nightmare, just a horrible nightmare. My heart felt as if it was attempting to break out of my chest as I calmed my mind and attempted to reign in my breathing and erratic thoughts. 

 

I wriggled around in my bed and tried to get comfortable again, but I simply couldn’t. I allowed an arm to snake out of my sheets and reached over to turn my alarm clock off seeing as I had beaten it to the job of waking me up. I glared down at my hand only to notice that it was shaking as I pulled it back under the blanket. That dream was still hot on my heels.

 

I attempted to drift back into my own dreamland, a happier one. No Luck. 

 

The ceiling unforgivingly stared back down at me as I spaced out and allowed my eyes to glaze over.

 

Might as well get ready for the day. 

 

Short legs slid out of the bed and mechanically began to walk over to the en suite restroom. I started the shower and began to brush my teeth as I waited for the water to heat up. I spit into the sink and looked up to stare at my reflection. My brown skin lacked the glowing quality that I was so often complimented on, that nightmare sucked all the sparkle out of me. A pair of brown almond set eyes stared inquisitively back at me, one eyebrow arched in question. My button nose sat right above my pursed lips.

 

“Ugh, what’s the point?”

I plugged my iPod in and set it to shuffle, made sure my scarf was properly secured onto my head and disrobed to hop into the shower.