Raggedy

A difficult night leads to difficulty finding sleep and, once sleep comes, to nightmares.

A darkened gym shower room, heavy with shadows cut in thin slashes of sight from the emergency lights off in the corner. Somewhere in the blackness, a rag doll comes for me, carrying knives and ill intent.

I kick the doll away with a curse and wake, kicking at the comforter as the words fade in my throat, while Katie breathes next to me, unaware.