Sanity's Descent

• Elizabeth Glavich, Grade 7
• Short Story
• 2012

I closed my eyes, waiting for the dream to end and the nightmare to begin. It began as usual... me, wandering through a barren plane. Then, the voice calls – that eerie, chilling voice.
“Come to me, Lexa... Come home... Ahaha!” it called. Then the running began. The endless chase across the plane. I ran for my life, screaming, yet no sound came out – I was trapped. Trip, stumble, fall – that’s what came next, as the monster floated over me, it’s presence slowly pulling me in. Into the darkness.
“Ah! Oh... thank god. I’m safe.” I got up out of my bed, still clutching my pillow. I put it on the floor, headed to the bathroom and washed my face, sticky and sweaty from the dream. Why was I the one to be burdened with this every night? I barely ever slept since I just woke up again 2 hours later. So, I hiked downstairs to join the night owls of America in a ‘Soul Calibur 5’ marathon. I managed to find some party pies, and heated up some of those too. By the time it finished it was 8:00 A.M.
“Damn, Lexa! Again? Why can’t you just get some sleep and let me watch T.V?” Axel, my older brother, said.
“Well, fine. I’ll take my delicious, hot party pies and go.” I left the room. I was gonna try this ‘sleeping’ thing again. Apparently it’s the new craze. So, I dared to dream that awful nightmare yet again, hoping that it would change. The dream began. I thought I was ready for it this time... But I wasn’t – it was a different dream.
“Ah, Lexa. You came home! It’s so good to see you.” The voice wasn’t so eerie this time. It sounded more... familiar. I dared to question the beast.
“Wait... Is that you...Fiora?” Fiora was my best friend. Then, a couple months ago, she went missing. When no-one found her, I was devastated. I couldn’t live without her. Gradually, I pushed it to the back of my mind to get through the day.
“You found me! I’ve been waiting for you for sooooo long! Please, stay with me!”
“I-I can’t. I have to stay with my family. You’re just in my dreams.”
“But Lexa, this ISN’T a dream! This is reality! You think that thing is real? It’s too bad to be real.” She was right, ‘life’ sucked. This is real... this is home. So, I followed her home. To stay. Forever.
Thursday, 05/10/12.
Lexa has been in the looney bin for 7 months now. It’s hard without her. I manage to get by, though. I miss her every day. Whenever she sees me, she says that she’s home, that I am not reality. What happened to her? Once Mum heard, she came back. She’s the only reason I still have a home nowadays. Love you and I wish you were here, Lexa. – Axel.