Dark Floors

Sacrifice

    My body was sweating. I looked at my clock, it was exactly one o'clock in the morning. s**t. You can't keep going on like this, Alyssa. I through my head back on my pillow and stared at the ceiling for what felt like a good ten minutes. My mind boggled. Every night I have had the same recurring dream for the past week. I've taken medication, I've tried staying up until I would randomly pass out, hell I've even tried meditation before bed. Nothing seems to bypass. Instead I'm left pondering in my thoughts, wondering if the dreams possess any meaning behind them or if its just my body's way of haunting me by itself. If there is a meaning behind it, who is the woman and why did I recognize her in my dream, but can't recall her distinct features when I wake up? Or any of theirs for that matter. You would think that as many times as I have had this dream I would remember at least one grainy detail. 

    I rolled out of bed and went to the bathroom, closing the door behind me. I splashed water on my face, revealing the reflection of my tired, rundown look. My dark brown hair wasn't as vibrant and my green eyes weren't pungent like they would be if I was happy. Instead they were a light grey and my hair looked ashy. My body was well filled out, but you could tell lack of sleep was taking its toll on me. 

    "KNOCK!" "KNOCK!"

    I jumped. The bathroom door opened and my mom walked through it. 

    "What are you doing still up, honey?"

    "I was already in bed, I just had to use the bathroom." I shrugged. "Why are you still up?"

    She smiled at me and turned to the sink to wash her hands. 

    "Your father finally decided to go to bed after taking business calls for the last three hours. Not so much as a 'goodnight'." She snickered. "You know, sometimes I think he forgets he has a family." She dried her hands. "I'm sorry, I don't expect you to understand the sacrifices he's also had to make just to provide for us. I know I forget myself."

    I turned to her. "You know, sometimes I think you forget you sacrificed your happiness for his arrogance." 

    "Oh, Alyssa, I've sacrificed much more than that." She smiled, gave me a kiss on the forehead and walked out of the bathroom. I followed behind.