My Daily War

         As I wake up in the morning, I realize the sun has not yet risen. I should hardly say "morning" at 1 a.m.....but then again sleep isn't exactly the right word either. I got maybe five hours last night if only I could be that lucky every time I laid down. Not a moment was peaceful though as my nightmares begin repeating through my awakened mind. Images of this trauma have burned into my memory, impossible to escape from. They aren't stopping there though, now they are banging against the gates of my sanity, demanding to be front and center as I try to fight them off during classes.

         Is there any way to make them stop? The images are starting a rebellion. Their swords are stabbing my thoughts, causing twitches I can't control, I can't hide them either. The sound of the rattling the gates are giving me a head-splitting migraine. Every nightmare is attacking the weakest parts of my mind as I slowly slip and let my guard down. My eyes are starting to close again. The world fading.....

         I snap my neck back up, catching myself before falling asleep again. The last several hours since I've woken up are a blur, but now I'm in the student union. My earbuds are in, laptop open for yesterday's homework, coffee and water to my right. Did anyone notice? I doubt it, there are only eight of us right now. As if I need another reason to be anxious, I start reaching for my coffee. I have to stay awake. I have to win the war against myself. But how long can I fight?