Darkness

As I look into the night, I feel a chill penetrate my body so deep it seems to absorb my soul.

    I shiver and rub the back of my neck. The hairs stand erect like soldiers to attention.
The night air however is humid, leaving me uneasy.

The dark blue sky is cloudless and the stars illuminate the landscape. My vision goes further and I see the shadows. They hover like vultures waiting. It is at these times my senses are heightened. I feel, taste, and hear so much more acutely

          I want to tell my self it’s my imagination, but I know that’s not the truth

I watch Aaron sleeping, he looks so peaceful blissfully unaware of the horrors lurking in the night.
  Aaron stirs and mumbles something about socks. I find his naivety charming in a childlike way. To be able to sleep so tranquilly no fear of dreams or sleepwalking.

I sigh deeply my hot breathe staining the window. I put my finger up and catch the moisture as it slides down the pane.

The glint of the full moon on the window assures me that my dreams will be vivid and intense. My mother used to say the changing tides affected my moods.

The heats beginning to become unbearable. I open the window and breathe the balmy air deep into my lungs.

      The shadows are so close I can almost taste them.

The need for sleep becomes overwhelming but I am afraid of what my dreams will bring. I lay on the bed anxious, I look over at Aaron yearning for him to wake and take my fears away. What am I so afraid of, surely not my dreams what harm can dreams bring.

My eyes feel heavy and I close them. I submerge myself deep into the sanctuary of Aaron’s firm warm body.
    I contemplate waking him very gently of course but that would be selfish.

The comfort of the bed is deceptive, making me forget about the darkness and the monsters that are not so far away.
   
      I am unaware of the descending shadows.

I rise from the bed; my damp nightdress sticking to my moist body, I take it off in one swift move.

My hunger is incredible; I have no idea what I desire. I look in the fridge, nothing.
 
      I have an irresistible urge to go outside, to break free of the restraints I feel holding me back.
        From dear sweet Aaron who no doubt after the initial shock would be perfectly understanding, and would do his best to make me feel protected.

I go outside and listen. I hear so much, every sound grating on my brain. The smell of the night is pungent, my senses in overdrive.

    I run across the field at such a speed I amaze and at the same time terrify my self.

The odour of raw meat is overpowering.

    This is what my hunger desires.

I detect the cows in the neighbouring field and make my way over; within minutes my craving is satisfied.

I feel alive, my adrenaline pumping,
I keep running but I have no idea where I am going

I feel as though I am a small part of something much greater, something I have no control over.

My breathe is taken away by the splendour of the night
    Why have I never perceived the beauty that surrounds me?

I run for what seems an eternity, when I finally reach the town.
The streets are deserted, not a soul to be seen.

I walk slowly; taking in the serenity of this place few will have the privilege of knowing.
  I catch a glimpse of my self in a shop window and for the first time feel ashamed.
    I am naked; the sight of my undressed form sends me into a panic. I want to hide, but from who, there is no one.
  Nevertheless there is I can smell them, their scent is intense.
        I hide behind a bush and wait. 

They pass by unaware of my presence. Their chatter is vexing and I wish they would hurry. The night still has so much to offer, I want to experience everything.
 
I wake in the garden, my body drenched with the dew of the morning.

    “Good morning sleepyhead I see you’ve been sleep walking again”
  Aaron takes my hand and helps me into the house.

The night has passed without  concern, except I slept walked again.
I really don’t know why I worry so much!