By Lorelai A

Running through the forest, I became a speed demon. Shedding the fear, shedding the pain, and running with passion. I hide behind a tree, and I hear a snarl coming from nearby. But I stay calm, and keep quiet, waiting for it to pass swiftly. I take a moment to breathe, as I look down at my torn clothes and see if I can find a near weapon. But right as I lean, the beast gets closer until he’s right above me, an-

“Penny, wakeup” Theresa whisper shouts, whacking my arm off the desk. “Ow!” I cried back. “You fell asleep, again.” She said, “D-did I miss anything?” I whispered to her. “No.” She added. “Well… except for another lecture from Mr. Boring.” We both giggled. “HEY! Quiet down,” he barked, as he whipped his head from the chalkboard to look at us. “And, Ms. Smith, a word with you after class.” “Well, now you’re in trouble.” Theresa looked at me sternly. 

As the bell rang, students got up flooding from their seats, as I slowly rose and walked up to Mr. Borning’s desk. “Penelope,” He says calmly. (God I hate when people call me by my full first name) “Is everything okay? Are you having troubles at home?” “What?” I replied genuinely confused. “Why would you say that?!” “Well…” he added, “It seems that you really have been having a tough time staying awake in my class. It seems like everytime I turn back to look at you, your head is plopped down on the desk.” At this point he looked genuinely concerned. “With most students, I would assume they are just bored of my class, but you are a very intelligent young lady. So I’m not sure if these are some issues I should know about, to help you learn.” I paused for a second, and mustered a smile saying “Nope. I’m okay.” “Okay.” He sneered. “Now go to class.” 

God I hate when teachers confront students, thinking that that’s gonna actually help? Truth be told, I’ve been having these vivid dreams for months. Something that I cannot rid my head of, no matter how hard I try. It all began when I woke up in the middle of the night, in a cold sweat. I was in a lab while my parents were being held captive by a mad scientist and I had to save them from the doctor by sacrificing myself, and there was no other choice. Right as I was about to get a laser beam into my chest, I awoke. 

I started breathing heavily, and my parents came rushing into my room, and I told them what had happened, and that I’ve been having very vivid dreams. That’s when they decided to take me to a psychiatrist, Dr. Dean to help me view my dreams, but it’s all pointless. There is nothing with them, they are just vivid nightmares. Oftentimes I’m running away, in dangerous predicaments, or even at the end of everything. The second I am about to perish, I awake. It’s strange, because I’m in a trance almost, until it breaks the fourth wall. That’s when I catch a glimpse back into reality.