Kept In Dark
"I'm worried about myself," Nick said.
"Maybe you should be," I told him. "Can't we turn on some lights?"
"Not yet." Sometimes it's hard to tell when a friend is joking. But Nick had sounded truly nervous when he asked me to come over this afternoon, so I decided to take him
seriously.
"What's got you freaked out?"
"I've been having dark thoughts lately."
"Everyone has dark thoughts."
"Not like these. They're sick, man. I don't know where they come from."
"Horror movies?"
"No, I don't watch those. But I've... I've also been having these crazy dreams.
Really vivid. Like, apocalyptic, with demons. I'm afraid to sleep." "You have been looking kind of washed out lately," | admitted. "Maybe see a
doctor?"
"Wouldn't help."
"Why not?" "Because there's more to it. That's why I called. I need you to tell me if you see it,
too."
"See what?" Nick stood up and walked to his window, where the sun glowed faintly behind
cheap venetian blinds. He pointed at the floor.
"Watch that spot. Right there."
"The carpet?"
"Just watch. Please."
"Fine." The carpet looked normal, not even a stain. Then I heard Nick take a deep breath,
followed by the clacking blinds as he pulled the cord to expose the sunlight. "Jeez!" I cried, yanking my feet off the ground as a dark shape came slithering
forward. It disappeared directly under the couch where I sat.
"Oh gosh," Nick moaned. "You saw it."
"That's... impossible. Was that really your...?" "Yeah," he nodded miserably. "I've heard of being afraid of your own shadow, but
why is mine scared of me? What does it know?
by IPostAtMidnight