July 8th

It was an unplanned trip. Kevin and I were excited for a change of scenery. While packing, I remember thinking of the different trees I was going to see and all the food his mother was going to cook for me.

Finally, the sound of new home gravel. The Friday breeze felt perfectly! No sun, just shade and everything looked gloomy. However, nothing beats a parent’s smile. A smile that reads “proud”.

Everything seemed fine. Their living room glowed, and the floors didn’t make a sound. As peaceful as it can be. So why did my dream turn on me?

Suddenly, their house turned into a daunting scene and it seemed to be written specially for me. An instant switch. Life molded into an eerie glitch. I felt an entity while sleeping, mocking across my mind. It felt my initial dream was having too much of a good time.

I turned to my right. His parent’s basement reminded me of something I’ve already seen. Barclay Square North, Columbus, Ohio exactly. The cool air wrapped its arms around me. I can still feel the wind attacking me. Everyone stood there smiling, except me – it almost felt like a dream.

Saturday, more and more kept happening. Kevin turned on me, happily. He refused to listen to me; to be in agreeance with me. He wouldn’t take me home, he laughed at my every feeling. He expressed disdain in helping me pack. I was crying — I was kneeling. Forever helpless towards his acts. He never explained why his parents disappeared and never came back.

I’m freaking the fuck out. Running around the house in fear I couldn’t tell the difference between my sweat and tears. Dehydrated and delirious I tried to pack, but the more I stuff the more clothes appear out of my bag. I’m defeated, I’ll have to leave it all behind. I pick up the last of me and inch towards the door.

My fate was quickly ignored. Kevin appeared like I’ve never seen him before. He wore that same “proud” smile, but this time I was shaken. Kevin locked me in the basement. I wailed and fought the door, but he casually walked upstairs as if he didn’t hear the noise. As if he was just grabbing the laundry then closing the door.

I remember the door. One of the main things I can remember from the dream. A hollow metal steel door with an ugly shade of orange. There was a small glass window that I could barely see through, let alone breach through. It was protected by wires and chains. My screams remained the same.

Wait — it can’t be. Is my dream finally choosing to be on my team?

My face one with the glass trying to recognize my savior at last. My cousin Ashleigh glided down the stairs. Even in a dark stairway she gleamed. She released me. She gave me another chance that I thought I would never see. I didn’t even question how she opened the door so effortlessly.

Now, it’s time to leave. But, something started happening. My soul started collapsing. It’s like the entity keeps on laughing.

Ashleigh, are they using you to get to me? They know you were like a true sister to me.

Ashleigh started crying heavily. I asked, “Why are you crying? You just released me?” She said nothing, but I knew it was because I was fighting so hard to leave. Something is toying with me. Trying to make me stay when I need to leave. There’s not enough time to solve this family mystery, I must escape before they use more props to entice me.

I run. Have you ever fought someone in your dream? The punch is always held back by some force. Now, imagine running. I can still feel the gravitational pull hindering my knees. But, an entity can’t hold me. This is still my dream!

I break free… I flee! The front door in front of me. Kevin on the side. It’s 6:51pm on the dot, Kevin in the kitchen casually cooking something in a pot. I screech, “CAN WE PLEASE GO NOW, PLEASE!” My voice raspy from my many pleas. Without even hesitating he cold heartily denies me. He tells me, with that same “proud” smile, “You can take the car and go home.” I was stunned. The world went silent for a minute. Kevin is tainted and no amount of love can combat him being blissfully complacent.

“Fine!” I grab the keys and rush out the door. The world looked much gloomier than before. The streets had potholes and leaves. The neighborhood seemed to be rotting. Ashleigh across the street still crying for me — I never even saw her leave, let alone walk past me. Kevin at the front door smiling like his parents when we first walked through their door.

My hair slapping me in my face. The wind beating me in a race. I can’t find the car. I swear it was parked right here. Desperately I scream, “Kevin, where’s the car?!” The entity cannot still be winning. I’m almost there and happy like in the beginning.

He waved and replied, “It’s parked by the stairs.” Perfect that means it should be right here —

Heartbroken. Scared. Nauseous. Dizzy. Incoherent. At that moment, I was forced to marry the truth. His car tightly parked in between his parent’s and their neighbor’s stairs. I turn around to the whole neighborhood’s stares. A throng of people wearing that damn “proud” smile. The one thing that stood out is Ashleigh stopped crying, but she kept her head down. She knows this is the end of my road. The entrance is closed now. The outside world is now out of bounds.