Intro

 

  I woke up screaming, my forehead dripping with sweat, my wet t-shirt stuck to my chest. My heart was beating so fast it took me a while to catch my breath and realize I was awake and alive. I started to relax as I wiped the tears lingering on my cheeks. I had that dream again, if you could even call it a dream. I haven’t been able to sleep lately and the few times I finally succeeded in doing so, the nightmare would come back. It seemed more and more real every time and caused me to awaken shaking and afraid. I try not to let anything show, I wouldn’t want to worry my parents, but my friends are starting to notice. Yesterday I fell asleep in Mrs. Lowry’s class and when she called my name I screamed and fell off my chair. She looked concerned and everybody in the class was staring at me like I was some kind of freak. I can barely concentrate at school because of the lack of sleep. I’m barely passing my classes but the only thing I want to do when I get home is to crawl into my bed and lie there forever. I feel like someone has drilled a hole in me and left me hollow. Most of the time I want to die, but I am not brave enough to go all the way.