Nineteen

This entry was written by ML S., Mike

How did I get here? I know I was walking along the street. These trees weren’t here though. Or were they? These are full gown, 30 feet tall or more. I remember. They were on my left as I walked on the sidewalk. Couldn’t have been more than 10 feet, if that. Where am I?

I am only nineteen.

All those houses. I don’t remember that house from before. Or that one. Wasn’t there only two or three on this side before? What is going on here? I don’t remember any of this. What was I doing? I was walking along. I was to meet Abigail at the diner. What time was that? What time is it now?

I am only nineteen.

The sun. I know the sun was out when I was walking down this street. That street. The one I remember from before. Before when? This can’t be the same street. The trees are all wrong. The houses are all wrong. And it’s all dark now. I know it was light out. I wouldn’t walk all this way in the dark. Wait. All this way to where? I can’t remember where I was going.

I am only nineteen.

What was that sound? It came from all around me and not. There it is again. A dull thrumming. As though the entire Earth was vibrating under my feet. But there’s no tingling feeling even though I can feel the sound throughout my body. It’s light now again. Again? It was just dark a minute ago. Wasn’t it? The shadows. What’s wrong with the shadows?

I am only nineteen.

What was that? Did all the shadows just move? I…I think they are moving towards me. How can they be moving? It’s dark out. No, it can’t be. I know it was light again the last time I… I what? What was I doing? The trees and houses. They were here a minute ago too. But their shadows. Their shadows are still here in the dark. Can there be shadows in the dark. And they are moving. What was that? I saw something move. I know I saw something move. I must be losing my mind. Where am I? I was going to go to… Wait a minute. I am who?

I am only nineteen.

That shadow. That one. Right there. I know it just moved when I turned. Turned to where? Always out of the corner of my eye. I’ll watch it for a minute. One more. Yes, it doesn’t move as long as I look right at it. I’ll turn away now. Yes! It moved. I saw that. I know I saw that. I’ll try it again. It worked. It worked twice in a row. That sound. Every time it moves I hear that sound. It isn’t the same as before though? Before? Was I here before? That sound. It’s..it’s more like a set of claws being drawn across pavement. That’s right. On the street. The street that was…right…there.

I am only nineteen.

It’s hunting me. I know it now. It’s definitely hunting me. What does it want? Why don’t you leave me alone!?! I’ve got to run. Where would I run? There’s nothing here. Nothing. I know there was something. I know. There was… What? Run damn you. You’ve got to run. It’s moving. You know it’s moving. You can hear it. Look! There! To your left. Run! You’ve got to run. I’ve got to run.

I was only nineteen.