We are here to wish you, big boy.

Soft mattress, cold pillow. Night was warm and the A/C is just way too cold. The floor feels amazing. Not the bed, the floor! Maybe I'll lie down on the floor. The tiles are cold. Not as cold as the A/C, but cold enough to let me sleep well.

The house is huge. 7 rooms in total. I usually sleep in the hall. My bedroom feels too far away from the main door. Something about the main door makes me feel comfortable.

Tomorrow I'll be 13. Entering my teens. I am excited, almost cannot fall asleep. But, I need to sleep. Or else momma will come screaming at me. I do not like making her angry, I must sleep.

Will I get a frosted cake? Or dark chocolate? Maybe a mousse? Or corn cake? I am so excited. I almost cannot fall asleep. The tiles are too cold now. I should rather be on the mattress.

I must be really strong. How did I pull the mattress from my bedroom to the hall? Maybe I am already 13, now. It past midnight already, after all. 13 year olds are strong. Big boys, and I am one too.

The blanket makes it too warm. The floor is too cold. I hate the A/C, and I hate sleeping when its hot. Maybe I'll just let my leg out. It'll be comfortable. Dreams, sweet dreams birthday boy.

I can feel someone walking by. There is someone in the room. Some one? Some two? There are! Momma? No. That is not her. Its too dark. I can see its 3 in the morning already, the luminiscent clock...how handy. But...that means I am awake now. I must have slept for a few.

Why can't I move? Who are they? Its a dark shadow. Very very dark. Just eyes and a shadow. Why is it staring at me? Why are you holding my hands down, shadow? Your hands are so rough. I am scared. I cannot scream. I can't move. What do you want?

There are more shadows. Flying and walking around in the hall. This is scary. I can't scream. I am scared. I can't move. Why are you holding me down? Why are they here.

It is not a dream. I am awake. It is not a hallucination. Or else I wouldn't feel you sitting on my chest hold my arms down. I know this is real. I am not crazy. I can feel my throat throbbing but no voice comes out.

Breathe. Breathe. Calm down. Whatever it is, let it pass. I'll go back to sleep. Today is my birthday. I'll sleep now and have cake tomorrow. That will be it. And we will never talk of yesterday.

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