Sleeping felt like dying for me, fear terrorizing my whole body. It felt too real: the shadowy monster that appeared and paralyzed me.

I drew a hot bath, deciding that I didn’t have the energy to stand and wash myself. While it was filling up with bubbles, I set up my tablet on the sink and started playing reruns ofGrey’s Anatomy.

Once done, I stripped and sunk my body into the hot water, letting the bubbles cover my big breasts.

For a moment, my eyes closed. The hot water soothed my aching body and comforted me… enough for… me to…

Don’t fall asleep.

I jerked awake, water splashing. I couldn’t sleep. I wasn’t ready to face this monster.

My eyes moved to the tablet, where I watched the show. Steam was all around me, soothing my tired body. I moved around all day, constantly rushing to get things done. Still wouldn’t change it for the world. This was what I was made to do. The smiles people had on their faces when they had my baked goods made me smile.

I let out a yawn, sinking further into the water. My eyes felt heavy, but I fought to keep them open. After this, I would get a coffee to stay up a bit and then fight to keep myself out of REM. That was my routine.

It was exhausting, and I hated it.

My eyes closed momentarily as I enjoyed the warmth surrounding me. Within seconds, I heard scratching against a wall.

Fuck, was Toebean locked out and trying to get in?

My eyes opened, and I froze… Well, I couldn’t move. The water around me was now icy cold, bubbles completely gone, revealing my naked body under the water.

My eyes moved to the tablet, seeing it was playing an episode further ahead than I was.

Did… I fall asleep? Am I asleep right now?

The light flickered off and on, and my eyes bounced to the hall, seeinghimthere. My heartbeat picked up, and I swallowed.

White glowing eyes stared at me, shadows running from his body. It looked like he was on fire, but the live, flickering flames were black. He blinked, one clawed hand grabbing the door frame to enter the bathroom.

Fear rushed down my spine, and I tried everything to just move one of my toes or fingers.Anything.

Please wake up.

His claws scratched against the paint, sending a shiver through me.

I closed my eyes.

Wake up, Seren. Wake up.

My heart pounded on my chest. Fear ran icy through my veins.I can’t breathe. I can’t think. I’m going to die.

Warm breath brushed right against my face.

My eyes snapped open.

He was leaning over the side of the bathtub, glowing white eyes locked onto my face.

I wanted to scream, but my throat would make no noise. My eyes welled up with tears as his claws dipped into the water.

Then I felt him, a sharp nail right against my upper thigh.

This was too much.

Finally, my toe twitched, and my body jerked completely awake. White hot pain rushed through my body as I scrambled out of the bath. Snatching my towel from over the door, I wrapped it around my body, flicking on the lights.

What sleep paralysis demon can do that? Turn off the lights?