Early Mornings Are For Demons

Friday Flow/8/13/21 — A Short Story About Heavy Feelings

I woke up from a restless night’s sleep and was instantly reminded of the shadows along my bedside. Darkness hoping to lure its cold, rigid hands around those areas in my body that needed to breathe. Should he get close enough, he would pull me down into the bottomless pits of depression.

I never know when he will come. After writing my book, I’ve learned to accept the many shadows that visit me throughout the day. Some, more fierce than others.

These demons stalked me most of my life. Carefully disguised in many shapes, forms, and characters. Luckily for me, I don’t fall for their tricks these days.

On the cold floor beneath my feet, I felt stuck in place.

The first breath in the morning is never the same for me. I closed my eyes, took in as much air as possible, and managed to expand the tightness surrounding my upper body. After a few deep breaths, I felt an unwelcome presence crawl up my skin. My hair lifted throughout my body as a demon somehow managed to get his hands around my ribs.

My breath was short and shallow. My heart rate skyrocketed. With no one around and nowhere to go, I had only one choice. Write.