Fiction On Odyssey: Murmurs
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Fiction On Odyssey: Murmurs

I tried to fight it. Until there was truly nowhere else to go.

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Fiction On Odyssey: Murmurs
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It’s 11 o’clock p.m., and it’s the fourth night in a row I haven’t been able to sleep. I can practically feel the weight of the grayish purple bags under my eyes. My hair is a convoluted rat’s nest coated in grease. I’m utterly exhausted, to say the least, but I can never sleep.

I’ve been avoiding this place for three days now, and after begging the last of my friends for their food, their bed, their safety, I’ve decided it’s time.

It began with the wind. At first, it was nothing more than a murmur, creeping through a fine crack in my window seal. I didn’t think much of it at first; it was a blustery day, a blustery year. Of course, the wind is coming through.

I heard it speaking in my sleep, awakened by the shrill squeal of what sounded like excitement. I thought it was my friend. I debated if I wanted to get up, check to see if there was anything I could do to quiet the disturbance in my slumber. But the bed was just too comfortable.

Most nights, my pajamas consist of nothing more than a large t-shirt, and I, being the hot-natured person I am, turn the thermostat below seventy.My brand-new body Sherpa body pillow combined with the blanket my father had given me for my birthday made for a nest that warranted constant occupation. If only I had shut it out. Unfortunately, I let it keep speaking throughout the night, letting it lull me into a deep sleep.

I woke the next morning feeling as if I had been given the most restful night of my life. The sun hit my face, and for once in my life I didn’t shy away. I welcomed the morning with a stretch before washing the sleep from my eyes only to apply a more fabulous gunk to them.

As I edged closer toward my mirror to get a better look at my bushy, black brows, the window caught my eye. I thought the wind perfect and walked over piles of clothes and papers to reach it. I began to unhinge the part of the window holding it in place hesitating only momentarily before unlatching the last clasp. With that, the wind fell open. No longer a crack, but entirely open.

I jumped, startled by the heavy plastic hitting wood. I attempted to put it back in place, but resigned as I realized I was going to be late to class. I guess it was the perfect invitation.

When I came back from class, I plopped onto our leather sofa, eager to forget the day with some mind-numbing television. The bright pictures flashed across the screen, words blurred together, and I let my thoughts drift. It was only then that I heard the whispers again.

It was coming from a door, which one I’m not sure. The wind was more aggressive this time. Instead of soothing me, I was uneasy. I became nervous.

It’s just the wind, I told myself. What harm could it do? Why am I so nervous?

The whispers soon grew louder and louder, and I could’ve sworn I heard what sounded like a woman's voice and the formation of actual words. My eyes narrowed, the hairs on the back of my neck stood, and my palms grew clammy. What was it saying?

It grew into an audible voice, it was talkative, thrilled to be speaking. It went on about the weather, the roses in our garden, the humming bird feeder in the courtyard.

But all at once, it yelled. Screams carried throughout the entire house, and I covered my ears for fear of my ear drum bursting. The winds rushed past me yelling obscenities and asking me questions I could barely understand.

I managed to crack my eyes open just enough to see my key. I grabbed them and ran.

I returned hours later, ready to put that disturbing episode behind me. I performed my nightly ritual, threw on my double XL t-shirt, and crawled in bed. That’s when I realized sleep would be no more.

I heard the wind begin its whistle through my window, under my bedroom door, until finally, my door opened.

The wind, at this point roaring, blew my hair back, froze me to death with temperature and fear, and then, all at once, began to suffocate me.

It slinked to my bed, and climbed on top of me. Its icicles fingers pried open my mouth, reaching inside my lungs, and brought out every ounce of oxygen from my body. It was as if it crowded my lungs and sucked every molecule out of me all at the same time. My lungs ached and burned

Tears-welled in my eyes, I feared these were my final moments. Then I decided to fight back. I twisted my body to remove myself from its grip and ran.

I ran to friends, to safety, to any sense of reality my mind had left to offer.

Three days later, and here we are. Right where we started. My bedroom which no longer holds the refuge and comfort it used to.

In case you were wondering, it followed me to my friend’s houses. The days would be silent until the sun retreated for the evening.

No matter the friend, it was the same ritual. We would change clothes, talk, laugh even and settle into the bed until I had almost forgotten about the entity following me.

And every night, the same thing would happen. I would hear a murmur from their window, their doors, anywhere the wind could maneuver itself through the house.

My eyes pop open, amazed this was happening once more to me, and now to those I love. I turn to face the invisible evil just in time to see it pry my friends' mouths open to extract their oxygen. It began to suffocate them right in front of me, until I would grab my things and run.

I tried to fight it. Until there was truly nowhere else to go. I realized it would follow me wherever I went. It knew no boundaries. It was the wind, and it wanted me.

So, on my last day alive, I have finally resigned to its wish. I’m exhausted, mentally and physically. I just don’t think it’s going to stop.

It’s 11:57. What’s taking it so long? I’m not even frightened anymore. I’m ready.

As a tear slides down my cheek, I begin to hear the low whisper, and I know it’s time.

Goodbye.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
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