8. Quiet

Masses of broken televisions and other appliances create a cavern. Rainbows of oily water pooled inside upturned ovens. I walked bare through this, comforted by the silence.

...

As I tread further into the vaulted cavern the televisions, no matter what their state, would flicker on and off, showing short segments of some interview. I could not see the interviewee clearly, but from his manner of fashion I would suggest a politician. I could not hear the interview either, nor did I want to. The televisions flashed eerie green over the surroundings. If anything else happened I do not recall it.

...

My dream became short bursts then. A day at a carnival with my aunt. Watching the tide come in. Watching myself sleep. A return to the previous night's fortress, completely deserted.

...
...
...

I woke again with only the ability to move my eyes. But only for a thirty two seconds (I could see my wall clock). I could hear waves in my inner ear, as if I had put conch shells to them. I thought I could see a group of odd, hunchbacked or elseways malformed people at the end of my bed, facing away from me. A minor hallucination which I have read does happen during sleep paralysis.

After this I was fine, better than fine in fact, as this was the most pleasant of sleep I have had in a long while.

I apologise for not treating you to my usual lengthy prose, but I am in a rush, for you see I simply must go to the forest today. Too long have I been indoors, I need fresh, billowing morning air.

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