THE NIGHTMARE

Chapter 24

FOUR MONTHS LATER

later, I still wake up in the middle of the night, half-awake.As I search for my phone, I roll over onto my stomach and place my right hand under my pillow.When I have it, I gently press the shutter button while holding it up to my face.I groan and toss the phone aside as the screen on my phone flickers awake.The night is cold and eerie, and it is only 4:30 in the morning.Laying on my back, I pull my sheets up to my neck.Did I make some sort of sound?I observed.Why had I awoken?Despite my best efforts to listen, nothing comes through.In any case, not from my lying position on this bed.Even though my window is closed, the soft blue light from the moon still floods my room.I conclude that it probably came from my dad when I hear the floorboards creaking downstairs.If you know him, he probably is craning his neck at the dining table right now, grading the students he cared more about than me.I cover my shoulders.It's a win-win situation because I have no interest in him