~ Paranoia ~

~ Paranoia ~

           “It is August 13, 2023.”

“I have been sleeping poorly for a quite a while now. I’m either tossing and turning with insomnia or having bizarre dreams night after night. My wife is worried and gave me a smart watch. She says it has a GPS in it so she can find me anytime, anywhere, like a lost poodle I guess. Seems a bit condescending. But the watch is also a recorder. She insisted I start keeping a sleep journal. I think it’s a waste of time, but she’s pretty smart and the lack of sleep is affecting my work. Here goes nothing. My Doctor says stress is keeping me awake. Told me to try over-the-counter sleeping aids. But the real problem, and I haven’t told anyone this, is that I feel like I’m being watched. Sometimes during the day, but mostly while I’m in bed. Sounds nuts, but there it is. So, let the sleep journal begin. Let’s see what happens.”

           “It is August 14, 2023.”

“This is nuts. I startled awake last night. The power must have flickered, because the clock was blinking. It was late, don’t know what time though. There was someone in the room. I say someone, but more some…thing. It was watching me and my wife. I tried to focus but it was gone. Had to be a dream. But I would have sworn I was awake. Really creeped me out.”

           “It is August 15, 2023.”

“Had trouble going to sleep. As soon as I finally dozed off, it happened again. I was groggy, but when I shook it off, there it was. Definitely not a dream. Tall. Wearing a black trench coat and fedora. I think he was smiling. I say he, but it could have been a woman. Couldn’t really make out the face. Red eyes. More like orbs than eyes. Still, I got a man vibe from it. Intimidating too. I’m no pussy but I was terrified. I tried to reach for the .38 in my night table drawer. Couldn’t move, like I was frozen solid. My wife started shaking me. Telling me to wake up. That I was groaning in my sleep. I told her to look, it’s right there, but it disappeared like smoke in the wind. She said I have been doing that a lot lately. Was I dreaming? It seemed so real.”

           “It is August 16, 2023.”

“Took two Ambien last night. He still showed up. Same as before. I know it happened.

My Doctor and good friend dropped by for a surprise visit. I told him about my nightmare guy. I give him credit for saying it, because he was obviously uncomfortable. Nobody ever wants to bring it up. He told me that misremembering, dreams that seemed real, and even hallucinations were not all that uncommon for people with my condition.

Condition. I hate that word. Take a human being with history and ambitions and goals; then give him a condition and take away his life. A condition chips away at the character until only a weak vessel with no credibility remains. Having to take all the diagnosis, condescension and dismissal from the masses with no foundation left to dispute them. Then when it becomes too much, I lash out and it just reinforces their disdainful attitude. He wrote me a prescription to make me sleep. Not gonna happen. This thing is real. Need to do some research. Figure this shit out.”

           “It is August 17, 2023.”

“He was there last night of course. I wanted to say something but couldn’t bring myself to do it. Besides it might wake my wife. She hopes he’s gone. I told her that he was. I watched him for some time, unafraid now. But I’m sure I saw him earlier too, before bed. From the corner of my eye he was there, then gone when I looked over. I spent three hours online researching yesterday. I know what he is. The modernly used term is Shadow People. They have been around forever and have a distinctly murky reputation. Seeing them usually causes feelings of dread and often the person is paralyzed with fear. I’ll second that. But many say they come for a reason. To help or give warning. I have to communicate with him. Find out what he wants with me.

I have stopped telling others about him. Got some autonomy back. I threw the Doctor’s prescription away.

This is important. I feel it. I know it now. My wife is going to visit her sister this weekend. Can’t believe she’s going to have a nurse stay overnight in the bedroom next door? It’s downright embarrassing. Saturday night will be my window.”

           “It is August 19, 2023.”

“He’s here. And I can move. I’ve turned on the watch recorder. I’m going to leave it on and speak to him… Who are you? Why are you here?”

           “Look inside yourself. You know why I’m here. The Apocalypse is coming and only you can stop it. Their influence keeps growing, empowering the leader and expanding their base. You need to see what lies in store for humanity. Come with me.”

(Whispering.)“He’s holding out his hand. I’m going to take it. Were moving without moving. The land scape is changing. Yes. I see them. Red faced and maniacal. Wrecking, destroying, ending life as we know it… Were back in the bed room now. He is right, I can stop this. I have to stop this.”

           “It is July 21, 2024.”

“I stumbled upon my sleep journal smart watch today. It’s been almost a year since I saw the future with the Shadow Man. I had to give up the fight. I did my best to stop them, but my efforts were thwarted. They are too strong, to well organized, and he is too clever. I sent every resource at my disposal after him: My media influence, Homeland Security, the FBI, IRS, had him charged with crime after crime. All in vain. (Sound of door closing and footsteps.) I think I hear Jill.”

           “Sweety? Who are you talking to in there? Come on Joe. It’s time for your nap.”