I probably look quite comical right now, walking in my pink, polka dot pajamas and bed slippers down the dark street past three in the morning.524Please respect copyright.PENANAAiOd6vc70X
Still, I walk, determination in every step, every movement, my eyes burning painfully, probably an angry shade of red.524Please respect copyright.PENANAbYuVaIm4vU
You see, I can't sleep.
It's a horrible feeling; as I stared blindly towards my ceiling in the absolute darkness of my room, my eyes burned, begging for rest; my body ached, weeping for the oblivion of sleep.
However, neither need was satiated.524Please respect copyright.PENANAwMaZhGVLUs
Usually, mysleeping pills allow me to rest, but it seems as if they haven't worked tonight.
Well, I should say 'this morning', considering the time. 524Please respect copyright.PENANATFAjdmu0Fw
After laying in the bed for hours and becoming no closer to sleep than I was at the beginning of the night, I've come to the conclusion that I wouldn't be sleeping any time soon if I stayed there.524Please respect copyright.PENANAW6qZkBNW2O
Growling under my breath, I rolled out of the bed and stood up. I turned to my right, and looked out my bedroom window, into the dark, moonless night.524Please respect copyright.PENANAricdk7yL6i
So now, I'm walking around my community in an attempt to exhaust myself, but it isn't working.524Please respect copyright.PENANA0U3Pp9BdMK
All of my senses are hyper aware of my environment. The silence is deafening; I might as well have someone screaming into my ear. I can feel every movement of the wind, every movement of the hairs on my body. I can smell the freshly cut grass of my neighbors's yards.524Please respect copyright.PENANAOtpG2AobAC
Once I reach the playground of our community — a bunch of benches, monkey bars and a tree house — I sit on one of the benches, wrapping my arms around my knees and resting my head on them.524Please respect copyright.PENANA6C6879LIkA
I feel tears forming in my eyes as the anger and frustration bubble up inside of me, threatening to overflow.524Please respect copyright.PENANA1qRL3SRu5r
"I just want to sleep," I whisper to no one in particular. To be honest, I'm not quite sure why I say it out loud; perhaps I'm hoping that some supernatural being or force will hear it, will help me.524Please respect copyright.PENANA5oiklTaI17
As I stare into space, sitting on the bench, hugging myself, I realize that no one is coming to help me.524Please respect copyright.PENANAbgQWdMDHbf
Right now, I don't want to go back home. 524Please respect copyright.PENANAoBOSc16FNz
Going home would mean that I have to face my bed.524Please respect copyright.PENANAriljFvTbnQ
Facing my bed would mean that I have to face the fact that I can't sleep.524Please respect copyright.PENANA63e3K25bqi
I would then be faced with staring blindly at my ceiling for a few more hours.524Please respect copyright.PENANASQW3StOJl2
The only problem is that I want to sleep.524Please respect copyright.PENANAYWhHetcAnT
I need to sleep.524Please respect copyright.PENANAzegjmh9acY
I have to try.524Please respect copyright.PENANArMkIwMGYOr
With a heavy exhale, I plant my feet on the ground and stand prepared to go back home; however, something strange in my peripheral vision draws my attention to the tree house, which is in the corner of the playground.524Please respect copyright.PENANA2eKYc2FECH
In the darkness of a moonless night, and from the angle at which I am standing, it appears as if something is hanging in front of the tree, but I can't see it's silhouette, as the branch from which it is hanging is extended towards me.524Please respect copyright.PENANA6Y5wuj8k8y
Out of curiosity, I approach the tree to see what it could be — probably just some shīt that the kids tied to the tree.524Please respect copyright.PENANAvd0aprxQ6R
However, when I do reach it... when I do reach it, what I see sends tidal waves of shock and fear through my body and soul.524Please respect copyright.PENANABp7fCNHMtE
I do a quadruple take to ensure that what I am seeing is correct, that my sleep deprived mind isn't playing tricks on me.524Please respect copyright.PENANAMx1eKeEmrp
Hanging from the tree by a rope around his neck is a young black man, about twenty years old.524Please respect copyright.PENANAre6hRtvAo8
Appalled by the sight in front of me, I just stare.524Please respect copyright.PENANA93T8fVA0RL
Then, I start screaming.524Please respect copyright.PENANAfe4qnP4i5I