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.528Please respect copyright.PENANAHLbYVM5uKJ
Still, I walk, determination in every step, every movement, my eyes burning painfully, probably an angry shade of red.528Please respect copyright.PENANAgiJ7Q8GSqG
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.528Please respect copyright.PENANA0UzX1YXyWD
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. 528Please respect copyright.PENANAwM1FB70GZG
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.528Please respect copyright.PENANAB2cpoPat9c
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.528Please respect copyright.PENANAEPaZb4TmPY
So now, I'm walking around my community in an attempt to exhaust myself, but it isn't working.528Please respect copyright.PENANAbwREjMEOgz
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.528Please respect copyright.PENANAmIty1c8Wpm
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.528Please respect copyright.PENANAem7nJRsig8
I feel tears forming in my eyes as the anger and frustration bubble up inside of me, threatening to overflow.528Please respect copyright.PENANAq3saARM5Cw
"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.528Please respect copyright.PENANAYSVMNSrobJ
As I stare into space, sitting on the bench, hugging myself, I realize that no one is coming to help me.528Please respect copyright.PENANAEtztLpXkTs
Right now, I don't want to go back home. 528Please respect copyright.PENANAy0fymIwV8W
Going home would mean that I have to face my bed.528Please respect copyright.PENANAxPuXqnpJdf
Facing my bed would mean that I have to face the fact that I can't sleep.528Please respect copyright.PENANACrUkRUEzIg
I would then be faced with staring blindly at my ceiling for a few more hours.528Please respect copyright.PENANA886imq37eJ
The only problem is that I want to sleep.528Please respect copyright.PENANADFR4NdwoRH
I need to sleep.528Please respect copyright.PENANAYaiIXDBwaa
I have to try.528Please respect copyright.PENANALRkqAtubPj
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.528Please respect copyright.PENANAtj1jpKPHP1
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.528Please respect copyright.PENANA2YXlkfomVk
Out of curiosity, I approach the tree to see what it could be — probably just some shīt that the kids tied to the tree.528Please respect copyright.PENANAe8OtLyfXlC
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.528Please respect copyright.PENANAiADPezgrV0
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.528Please respect copyright.PENANA9xAmKjhhvn
Hanging from the tree by a rope around his neck is a young black man, about twenty years old.528Please respect copyright.PENANAk4IO4RTvl0
Appalled by the sight in front of me, I just stare.528Please respect copyright.PENANAOquYEnlYgS
Then, I start screaming.528Please respect copyright.PENANAuKO5AdUjbf