I sat down the couch and laid the books beside me. I slid my hand under the pillows. I brought out a notebook and a pen. I wrote down in my journal the events of the day. Right after I finish writing, I slid the notebook back to where I took it. Then, I grabbed the book one of the the book series my best friend got me. I adjusted myself to a more comfortable position and skimmed the book. The pages were very white, not a speck of browning. Like every reader out there, I sniffed the book and was bitterly disappointed.
"This book is brand new, it still smelled like ink..."
I then continued looking at the book. I read the synopsis, the blurbs, and the "about the author." Satisfied and excited, I began reading the story while there's still sunlight from outside.
Soon the sun is almost down where only streaks of red was left on the sky. My nephew, Vol, was about to take on watching duty. However, unlike the other IW Watchers, he was the only one forbidden to go out. He's to stay inside our house gate where most of the OW Arms are. If emergency happened, he is to receive warning. And then he will wake us up to jump into action.
"Aunt Pheene," he called.
I lift my gaze to him, mildly annoyed he interrupted my reading. I was trying to read as much while there's still bits of light.
"Is that new?"
"Yeah."
I tried to go back to reading, hoping to finish the paragraph at least.
"Goodnight," he said before walking out of the front door.
By the time he closed the door behind him, the last light of day died down. I closed the book I was holding as everything around me was covered in darkness. I put the book away. A faint glow from candle light came into view. Vol has lit a candle to illuminate his line of sight. I lied down the couch and put one foot on the ground. I layed my hand on my knife that's resting on the coffee table. I closed my eyes, took a deep and slow breath. I stretched my legs then relax my muscles. I tightened my muscles then relax them again. This is my nightly routine to help me fall asleep. It's quite difficult for me to fall asleep because it's hot. This is the only one that worked for me without the usage of sleeping pills, though I don't have them anyway.
I allowed myself to drift into sleep and let my body succumb to fatigue. As soon as I fall asleep, I opened my eyes. I was greeted by darkness. I'm still home. I got up from the couch. I looked around me and I saw the door ajar. From the slightly open door, I saw the gates also open. I quickly got on my feet and I grabbed my knife. I ran to the master's bedroom and found the door to be locked. I banged on the door with my fist and screamed. No voice came out of me and I heard nothing from the other side of the door. In panic and urgency I started pushing the door to break the knob. But my body felt weightless, no force was coming from every jolt. I was panicking even more and pushed one more time. And then the door swung open. I found everyone huddled close together. I tried to wake them up but they were all dead cold. Their bodies were stiff.
"W-what happened here?! Why? Why?!"
I pulled on my hair and heard moans coming from outside. An army of zombies marched in the house and they all jumped to devour me.
And then I opened my eyes, it was still dark. I was still in the couch, lying on my own puddle of sweat. My heart was beating so fast and was panting as if I ran a mile. I slowly got up and realized my nightmare. My ultimate nightmare in this hell of a world is if I fail to protect everyone. Remembering how I found the dead family and the manifestation of me fear in my nightmare, I began to sob. I try to avoid crying in front of anyone because honestly, its from me whom my family is getting their courage. They may have never said it but I feel it in how they value me, its from me whom they get the will to fight and survive. If they found me breaking down, they too will begin to crack under the pressure of our situation.
I reach down under the coffee table and took my jug of water. I have this here just in case I feel dehydrated in the middle of the night. Every nightmare I had these past days, I will always find myself drenched in my own sweat. I need to replenish somehow.
I put back the jug from where it rested. I then went to check on the master's bedroom. I pressed my ear on the door and heard snoring. I checked two more occupied rooms, Lolu's and Donny's, their rooms are locked and they're all peacefully sleeping. I then , checked on Vol who's still on duty. I found him sitting on a monobloc by the gates.
"How are things going?" I asked.
"Clear so far. Why are you up?"
"I was thirsty."
"Ok."
I then turn to go back to sleep. But before I do, I heard the leg of the monobloc slide on the rough concrete floor. I turn my head towards my nephew and he was looking at me.
"Umm...Aunt Pheene, do you remember you used to tell me your favourite story?"
"My... favourite story?"
"The one with clay dragons that flies around."
I don't have a favourite book, I have a favourite book series though.
"Ah, The Last Dragon Series, yeah what's up?"
"You said you'll let me read it when I turned 12, but I'm 14 now and you still haven't lent me that."
I blinked, I didn't forget. I was just busy with college.
"But you're on watch duty."
"Can you read it to me?"
"What are you, 6?"
"Please? I can't read it because I have to keep watch. And since you're awake, maybe it'll be great way to pass the time."
I furrowed my brows at his request. He looked at me sheepishly. I still see him as the 4 year old boy whom I'd babysit. I sighed in defeat.
"Alright, wait here..."
Vol smiled at me. He looked like his dad, a very handsome young lad. My brother has always been a head turner even after becoming a father of two kids. I remember when I was little, whenever I go to mall with him I would see girls left and right smile at him. And at times, wink at him even. And then when I went to pick up Vol from school. I would find girls trying to catch a glimpse of him. Frodery has won the good looks in the gene pool and his son inherited it.
I went upstairs to my room. I needn't for illumination, I have a special space for my favourite book series. I ran my hand on the book ridges until I reach the far left. I grabbed the book and was certain from how I organized me books, this is book one "Fire Inside." I left my room with book in hand and goes downstairs. The closer I come to the front door, the brighter the candlelight get. I then walk out of the front door and stood close to him.
"Chapters 1-5, listen carefully because I will not repeat myself. After I read 5 chapters, I'll be going back to sleep."
"Ok," he answered giddily.
I started to read the book to him. He perched up and listened intently. Every time I finish reading a paragraph, I would glance at Vol. I would find his face take on different expressions accurate to the context of the text. But as I read the book aloud enough for Vol to hear, nostalgia hit me. Rereading this book brought back pleasant feeling of leaping into a world of fantasy where everything is brimming with light. I've seen the small dragons meld from clay with their colorful scales fly around from flat surfaces in the house. I've read every dialogue even monologues full of emotions. It was nice to escape from this hellish place once in a while. After reading all five chapters, I closed the book. Vol turned to me as if waiting for more.
"That's five chapters," I shrugged.
"So soon?"
I handed the book to him.
"After your watch duty, you can read before you go rest. But before you do, wake me up first thing in the morning. Now be on guard, stay safe." I said before I retreated in the house to continue my sleep.