"Sweet Dreams"
By Asche Keegan

She snapped awake, eyes tearing through the darkness searching for the demons haunting her dreams. Spiked darkness loomed above, beside, and beneath her, and she shivered, the only light in an otherwise desolate and gloomy landscape.

Pulling herself to her feet, she began to pace, arms crossed protectively over her chest. She watched the night, even as she attempted to steady her breathing. Each minute she walked felt like hours: tense and urgent.

She sensed movement out of the corner of her eyes, and she recoiled backward, terrified. “Go away!” she shouted. “I just want to sleep!”

“But you know what will happen if you sleep,” the darkness replied in her own voice. She could not tell if the thoughts were imagined or true, but she struggled to push them back regardless.

“Leave me alone!” she called again. “If you close your eyes long enough, the nightmares will overtake you again.”

Unbidden, dreams of maniacal serial killers, betrayal, and heartbreak filled her mind, and she stumbled backward, throwing her arms in front of her. “Don’t touch me!” she cried, attempting to push the thoughts away.

She stayed awake, the night dragging on around her, and she watched the darkness, afraid to sleep and fighting off the thoughts trying to break through her defenses.

Then, through the darkness, she saw a glow of white light, the same as her own, yet brighter as if many people were walking towards her. She stood and ran toward it, amazed and excited.

As she got closer, she could make out her friends, standing at the front of the group of people. All were carrying white swords, glowing with the same light that each of them had. She could feel herself glowing brighter as well in their company.

“We’re the sleep patrol,” the one in front said, swishing her bright red ponytail. “We’re here to help you sleep!”

“Ash?” she asked.

“Yep!” the second replied. “And that’s not all. I brought friends.” Behind her fanned out the others, a beautiful girl with blonde-brown hair and the most caring eyes, her sister with a cynical but enthusiastic smile, and other friends as well.

She could not help but tear up to see them all. The girl with blonde-brown hair reached out a hand and pulled her into a hug. “We are here for you. We care about you,” she said. “You can finally sleep.”

As they formed a protective circle around her, she could relax, and the darkness seemed to melt away, replaced by a warm and welcoming light. In the arms of the beautiful girl and surrounded by those who love her, she was safe and able to finally close her eyes.

In seconds, she could feel herself drifting away to a place of peace and happiness.

~ ~ For SlythFang, may you have sweet dreams and sleep well. :) *knocks on wall*