It was dark; thick and inky blanket of opaque blackness that almost had a living presence.
For one moment I hesitated to turn over. The hairs that rose on the back of my neck frantically told me without words that should I turn, there would be SOMEthing there. reason and logic argued with visceral reaction. I enforced my will and turned. And I found, nothing there. I took a few deep breaths.
Even with my wide eyes open I could not see a thing – nothing in fact. I could hear the fan sitting just at the foot of the bed stirring the summer night into something alive and breathable. I could hear faint distant thunder rumbling and stirring the silence of the early morning. layered with that was the occasional thrum of wheels and engines, flinging themselves purposely up or down the highway not too distant from where I had spent most of the night trying to find a lengthy rest.
I stirred and threw back the covers. The quilt bunched into a mound at the foot of the bed and the sheet tried to follow me to the bedroom door. I needed no light for this journey knowing every creak in the floorboards and where the doorways should be.
Chill air met quilt warmed bare skin as I padded barefoot down the darkened hallway and straight into the kitchen. This route I can and do traverse often, usually several times a night, without thought or bumping into any doors or tripping over anything. The entire house is quiet, and heavy with the dreams of those sleeping under the roof. Only I was awake. Their snuffled breathing follows me down the hall. I walk with their silent dreams as witness. And I smile.
The digital clock display on the oven greets me brightly as my eyes adjust to the dimness of early morning. I find the cupboard door and open it quietly, careful not to bang or thump or make any large noises to disturb the dreaming of the others locked into deep rest. By braille I find a suitable cup and after filling it quietly, I sip the water thoughtfully briefly resisting the urge to gulp it all down greedily.
Mentally I debate what my next steps will be.
Should I return down the hallway and fold myself back into the bedding slipping back into sleep for a short while or should I give up on my attempts and settle myself against a mound of pillows and drift through Cyberia as the minutes become hours and call up the new day?
