Page 4 of Stutter

Spooks.

The walls thrum, the fluorescent lights dim.

Closing in.

It’s all… no I can’t be here again!

It’s dark.

Can’t breathe.

No, no, no, no.

I’m there again.

It’s too tight. I can’t breathe.

It’s too small.

I can’t breathe…

I can’t breathe.

I can’t-

“RAVEN!”

Too far. I’m too far.

“Here! I’m here! Please!” I scream but no one’s out there.

Total darkness.

Gone, gone… gone…

“RAVEN, baby, wake up! Come back to me baby. Please. I’m right here. You’re safe.”

Taps on my face like my taps on the locker door.

Taptaptaptaptaptap.

“Amourette. You’re having a dream.”

I’m having a dream.

“You’re safe. You’re not there, Little Bird. I’m here with you. Come back to us.”

I’m not there.

So much pressure. Heavy. It’s so heavy. It feels good. So good. I’mohhhh…

I feel my lids flutter. I can’t see past the fog.

“There’s my baby. You’re safe, baby. Keep going Damon.”

It’s so warm.

“I love you.”

---