3/9/2018

I clutched the steering wheel as tightly as possible, forcing my eyes to stay open. Streetlights whizzed by on either side as I zoomed down the highway, fatigue chasing close behind. My eyelids grew heavier by the second. I'd made a mistake, staying up too late before work. My vehicle drifted between lanes as I struggled to keep hold of what little consciousness I had.

I can't let the dreams win. I can't.

I shook my head and straightened my trajectory. Thankfully no other cars were on the road around me for the time being. I'd hate to be responsible for the death of another innocent—

Another?

My eyes snapped open. I was halfway into the next lane. I hadn't even realised they had closed. I jerked the wheel quickly to one side, trying with everything I had in me to stay awake. I despised sleep with every fibre of my being. It had followed me and ruined me for far too long. I couldn't stand it. And now it was coming to take me away for good.

I had been walking away from a small cabin. I told the others to stay inside while I dealt with it. As I walked away, I was thrown into the grass and bathed in orange light as the hut behind me burst into flames. I had tried to run back, to save those still inside, but the roof collapsed, blocking all exits. I had meant to fix the rafters the night before but had fallen asleep early. I'd told them I'd fix it after breakfast before the raiders showed up. Just one more empty promise now. One more disappointment as a family burned inside their own home.

My eyes snapped open, my hands shaking. I was in the parking lot.