Back to Reality

Chapter 1

 A/N - Hey guys! I hope you enjoy this short story. If you have any comments, suggestions, ect. I'm open to anything. 

  The first thing I see is white. Bright blinding white. I can't move, my arms seemed to be glued to my side. My vision blurs in and out, making it hard to figure out where I am. The lights above me flicker on and off, creating an eerie feel to the room. My heart pounds as a man comes in through a door hidden in the wall.

"I see you're awake," he chuckles as he stands beside the bed reaching for something I can't make out. For a second, he turns his back to me and is messing with something. When he turns back around, panic rises in my chest. He smirks and as he holds a syringe in his hand, taking my arm into the other.

"We just can't have you awake now. It's not the right time." With that he stabs the needle into my arm.

I wake with a start, sweat beading my face and hair. I look around to find myself alone in my own room at home, safe from the man in my dreams. As I let myself calm back down, I evaluate my ongoing nightmare. It was the same every time. The same room, same bed, same man. And every time, he got me with a needle. I didn't even know when these nightmares started, I've just always remembered having them.

Looking at the clock, I realize that it is almost noon. Thank goodness it's Saturday. As I get out of bed, the sun peaks through my dark curtains, adding a peaceful glow to the room. My panic from my nightmare seems to subside as I pull my hair into a ponytail and make my way downstairs.

Walking towards the kitchen, I instantly smell bacon. The smell overcomes my senses and makes my mouth water. My stomach protests with a deep growl as I enter the kitchen and sit down.

"Morning honey. How'd you sleep?" mom asks as she pours pancake batter into the pan. I come up beside her and sneak a piece of bacon from the pile.

"I slept pretty well. I think I need to start up on my meds again though. I had another nightmare this morning," I reply, pouring some orange juice and sitting at the table.

"Another one?" Mom asks. "I thought you were past that. We'll have to call the doctor and make an appointment." Mom sets a plate in front of me, delicious bacon and a pile of pancakes. I smile at her and dig in. Just as Mom sits down beside me with her own plate of food, the back door opens and my dad and little brother walk in.

"Good morning Dad. What have you two been up to?" I question. Taking in their sweaty faces and dirt covered clothes, I have a pretty good idea of what they were up to.

"We were just messing around outside. We played some tackle football and worked on the car," my brother says as he stuffs pancake in his mouth. Both he and Dad take a seat at the table and we enjoy brunch as a family, just like every morning.

After eating, Dad reaches for the newspaper and looks over the latest news for the week. I peak up at him just as a scowl forms on his face.

"What's wrong Dad?" He looks up at me and gives me a tentative smile.

"Nothing you need to be worried about, Mae. They just finally caught that serial killer from California. It says she's been hospitalized and is under supervision till further evaluation." Dad hands me the paper and gets up to get ready for the day. As my brother and Mom start clearing the table, I open the paper and start reading.

PYCHOTIC SERIAL KILLER FINALLY CAUGHT

Late this last Tuesday, California police announced that they have finally caught the serial killer that has been raiding the streets. After 3 years and 27 dead bodies found, psychotic killer Millie Anne Eastwood, age 19, has finally been caught and is now being hospitalized before sentencing. After Being on the rampage and killing 7 families, she is now going to be held responsible for her actions and the families she's ruined. A doctor on her case, who would like to remain nameless, suggested that it would be best to keep her in a hospital instead of a jail due to her aggressive and impulsive behavior.

"This way we can keep her sedated and isolated from others until the trial. I don't think it best to take the risk of her being with others in a prison. "Although she is in a hospital currently, she is under heavy supervision and will be attending the trial when called upon.

The article went on to tell more about the trial and when it was. But what I found it interesting is that someone so young could do so much damage. I could never kill anyone, especially not my family. As I set the paper down, I look at my mom and brother doing the dishes. The sun shines in such a way that they look like angels.

"Honey, weren't you going to go to the library sometime today?" mom asks, snapping me out of my trance.

"Oh yeah, thanks for reminding me. I guess I should get going soon," I reply. Checking the clock, I head upstairs to wash up and grab my things.