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.530Please respect copyright.PENANAMC0pp6YCiV
Still, I walk, determination in every step, every movement, my eyes burning painfully, probably an angry shade of red.530Please respect copyright.PENANAgKLdKGb71R
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.530Please respect copyright.PENANAIljaPHA5Mh
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. 530Please respect copyright.PENANA2BsIjZuXtR
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.530Please respect copyright.PENANARbyDpMHYYf
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.530Please respect copyright.PENANAnhIY4qeCrs
So now, I'm walking around my community in an attempt to exhaust myself, but it isn't working.530Please respect copyright.PENANAWqAoykfh6u
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.530Please respect copyright.PENANAW4EwsNRpId
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.530Please respect copyright.PENANAi2yoKicnKN
I feel tears forming in my eyes as the anger and frustration bubble up inside of me, threatening to overflow.530Please respect copyright.PENANAXE2EYZfVlN
"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.530Please respect copyright.PENANALzi8gehJzr
As I stare into space, sitting on the bench, hugging myself, I realize that no one is coming to help me.530Please respect copyright.PENANA0qPvJLK5Ec
Right now, I don't want to go back home. 530Please respect copyright.PENANAKqmwOX0mqh
Going home would mean that I have to face my bed.530Please respect copyright.PENANAzTCw6Lma4E
Facing my bed would mean that I have to face the fact that I can't sleep.530Please respect copyright.PENANAtboCtMnoUe
I would then be faced with staring blindly at my ceiling for a few more hours.530Please respect copyright.PENANAWQKeH2VZoL
The only problem is that I want to sleep.530Please respect copyright.PENANAKs0xH1TlUd
I need to sleep.530Please respect copyright.PENANACo8weHQyYg
I have to try.530Please respect copyright.PENANAldzYCs1dTF
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.530Please respect copyright.PENANA6LBXotZsIG
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.530Please respect copyright.PENANAPCIHVISY5k
Out of curiosity, I approach the tree to see what it could be — probably just some shīt that the kids tied to the tree.530Please respect copyright.PENANAxSWqj6jVow
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.530Please respect copyright.PENANAKAYWXOXNWp
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.530Please respect copyright.PENANAccJM0ZVrnn
Hanging from the tree by a rope around his neck is a young black man, about twenty years old.530Please respect copyright.PENANALnVYp8nY9b
Appalled by the sight in front of me, I just stare.530Please respect copyright.PENANAI5vmlsONK6
Then, I start screaming.530Please respect copyright.PENANAdhwqLXbGVe