Can't Sleep Haruka Will Get Me

Do you know how long a human being can stay awake for? Anon knew. He had to know. It was the only way he'd survive long enough to finally have someone believe him. The record is eleven days but he might only be able to last about eight. He tried everything: food, exercise, bright colours and trying to play games to keep his mind active. He'd routinely pinch himself and slap his face to keep him going. He had so many cups of coffee that he must have reeked of the stuff.

 

It's already been five days. He started succumbing to microsleeps that left him vulnerable for moments at a time and disoriented afterwards. He dreaded it each time his body caved in. She'd get him if he slept and how could he flee when he's dizzy? Who knows what she would do. For months beforehand Anon had been plagued by bumps in the night and blurred visions of a woman in pink. Sometimes he would see her in the corner of his vision.

 

It only got worse in the coming weeks. She grew bolder. He'd see her mingled in crowds and amongst his co-workers. She'd walk by his home and sneak into his yard. Then he noticed furniture in his home would be moved, doors and cabinets would be open and items went missing. Not even his own home was safe any more.

 

Anon looked out his window and her face was there. "Hello handsome" he thought he heard her say. He fled the room and sat in the hallway. Anon was barely able to breath and he slowly built the courage to peek around the doorway and there was nothing outside. He rushed over and closed the blinds. It was darker now which made it harder to stay awake but at least she couldn't see him.

 

He went to go and brew another coffee and on his way he heard someone knock at the door. He stood frozen and ignored the rapping fingers until they finally subsided. Then he heard a window open and close with a loud thud. He ran all over his home and thoroughly checked every window, every door and every opening. It was all secure. It was all as he left it.

 

Perhaps Anon went mad at some point. He considered it as well. How else could all of this be happening? He was reduced to a rambling shut in by visions he couldn't explain. Then it happened again. He went to his room and saw two lady-like legs sticking out from under his bed. They were covered in white stockings and topped off with hot pink heels. They shuffled underneath. She was crawling under his bed.

 

He clumsily reached around for his phone and used the camera flash as a torch and knelt down to try and look under the bed. "Leave me alone!" He muttered, over and over. Anon got down on all fours and went to crawl in to see if he could find her but there was nothing there. Relief washed over Anon. He came back up and immediately his heart raced again. There were fingers curled over the edge of the bed like claws with unmistakable nail polish and furnished with rings from bridal gauntlets.

 

Anon was face to face with her now. They were perfectly lined up: her green eyes were locked with his, her nose brushed against his and her lips could reach out and taste him. "Hush darling, I'll take away all of your troubles." The woman's arms wrapped around Anon and he blacked out.