My eyes sting from lack of sleep ,but I couldn’t sleep. They would be there ,waiting in the darkness for me. Their long talon like finger grasping for me and trying to pull me into the darkness they called home. “You should really get some rest , Mr. Threadson,” Marie ,the eldest maid, stated. I flinched as her hand came into contact with my shoulder. Her bony hands reminding me of the talon like hands that had reached for me in a former nightmare. I heard her sigh and the clink of used china dishes  againest each other. The creaking of the door opening told me she had left.

I rested my head againest the back of the linen white chair. ‘Sleep would be so nice and peaceful right now’ I thought. I knew though that sleep would not be peaceful for me . I would not sleep in fear of being dragged into the unknown by dark figures that whispered sinister things. The thing about sleep is when you do it, you let your guard down. You’re totally open to whatever wants to mess with you. Therefore I would not sleep till I was resting in my grave six feet deep. I had not slept for seven days , and I planned for the days to increase. I looked around my room. Everything was white sheer or linen , and some sort of light fixture adored each dark area. If there was no darkness ,nothing in the darkness could get me. It had all the different needs of a bedroom. Except a bed, because if a bed was here i would be tempted to rest. I intended not rest for the rest of my forever.

I scanned my eyes carefully over the room once more to see if anything was out of place. A cup caught my eye. Steam rose from it it in delicate white swirls. I reached my hand out toward the cup. Marie must have left it here ,before she left i thought. My fingers brushed the cup and i pulled it  toward myself. The bitter-sweet smell of coffee flooded my senses. coffee ,how lovely. My heart rate slowed down, happy it had not been a trick from the darkness.

I brought the cup to my lips and was met by the hot liquid. An odd taste was mixed in with the sweetness of the creamer ,but I guessed it as something new marie was trying. After every sip i took my eyelids grew heavier and heavier till they were closed. Darkness greeted me like an old friend. I struggled to open my eyes , praying they would. It was like they were being held shut .

“Hello , Benedict. Long time ,no see.” They whispered in sync. My breathing increased and it felt like someone was squeezing lungs. The way a child may squeeze the just out of a juice box. “Y-you’re not real, this is just a dream and i’m going to wake up just fine,” I repeatedly whispered, while pinching and scratching my arm, leaving red ,puffy scratches.

How did I fall asleep? I was doing so good. I thought back to the odd flavor in the bitter, hot liquid. Marie spiked the coffee with a dose of liquid sleep medication. She practically just signed my death certificate. The dark form came near and nearer till I could practically feel its ungodly ,cold breath fan across my cheeks. With one more hopeful pinch of my bleeding arm, I gave up. I lasted seven days againest the darkness and I was tired of fighting. “Good ,my darling Benedict. Now join us,” it whispered, holding one wrinkled grey arm toward me, palm toward upward. I grimaced and sighed a sigh of hopelessness. I put my hand in the creatures and my world turned cold and black.