No Place Like Home

The Arrival

Every hour, he visits.

I pretend to be asleep, and he stays for five minutes, before walking from the room.

An hour later, in he comes again, his face pale, his arms outstretched.

He reaches out, as if to try to reach me,  and then...it's like he's stopped by some sort of barrier, and he falls to the floor, eyes turning black, and all the while, I make a sound that I hope sounds like I'm snoring, whereas really, I'm taking a peek from under the covers, every now and then, if I am brave enough.

I don't know what he's doing, or who he is, but I've sensed him for a while. It's like he's always been there, but only today, only tonight, can I see him, though I don't think he has realised yet.

I've been keeping count, and he's come five times now, at regular intervals, from one to five am.

Every time he walks in, I risk an extra look. 

It is 5:57am.

I wait, my back rigid, my head under my pillow as I breathe heavily, too terrified to get out of bed or scream for my parents.

Right on cue, in he comes, his arms out. This time, blood trickles down his face, and it's all over his curls too, which look more red now than blonde.

This time, there doesn't seem to be a barrier in between us, and he falls forward, his eyes seeming to swirl until I can't even tell if they are there.

And I've just realised- I'm making eye contact.

"It's time." He speaks mechanically, and the words seem to come from somebody else, far away from here.

He reaches for my hand, but I squirm backwards, screaming.

Nobody comes.

"Mum!" I shout, "Mama!" His hand comes ever closer, and there is nowhere for me to go- my bed is against the wall, and he is on the side I can get out from.

There is no way for me to escape.

"Papa!" I shout, but nobody hears me.

He reaches for me, and this time, makes contact.

Black spots slowly make their way into my swirling vision, before everything disappears completely.