The Night Owl

Blurred vision stymied my awareness as I arose from consciousness. As my mind and eyes adjusted, I attempted to comprehend the predicament I found myself in.

Darkness—it wasn’t just bleariness; my surroundings were black as well. So, this is my first need: To find a light switch.

Just as my fingers grazed a lamp, then the string, I came to my senses. What had I been thinking…? To turn on the light, raise the alarm, it was not safe…

I shuffled, stalking towards the door…I turn the knob ever so slowly, sensitive to the creak of the door. I only open it enough to slip through its opening. They sleep lightly in this house, those who own it.

The narrow hallway lends way to a room illuminated by the moon. I spot my target, my sweet, sweet escape…I approach, wary of the potential pitfall of every step.

But my footsteps quickened with confidence and urgency, and it is then, despite such caution, I make the fatal mistake.

My foot lands on something rubbery, my weight crushing the air inside of it, releasing a dreadful squeak. Before I could prevent it, the momentum catapulted my leg into the glass table, and it took every ounce of strength to restrain a primitive shriek…A rattling triggered the horrid image of a Chinese vase of painted pink chrysanthemums and abstract figures wobbling, fighting for its life flashes in my mind…Only once it settles, undisturbed, do I dare to let my breath go.

A rustling sound emerges from behind the cracked door…I hastily snatch my objective from the table and scamper on the balls of my feet, back to my cave…

“THAT YOU, LUCAS, CREEPING AROUND THE HOUSE?”

I held the door only slightly ajar—I couldn’t risk closing it now…

“I SWEAR, CHILD, IF YOU DON‘T FIX THIS WARPED LIFESTYLE YOU’RE ON, UP ALL NIGHT, SLEEPING HALF THE DAY, I WILL SEND YOU SOMEWHERE, I CAN‘T DEAL WITH THIS…”

An interlude of profane language ensued.

“LUCAS, GET YOUR A** INTO BED RIGHT NOW OR I SWEAR TO GOD I WILL TAKE YOU SOMEWHERE WHERE THEY WILL DO IT FOR YOU!”

A slam punctuated this statement, then silence fell after it. I quietly shut the door and snuck across the space.

An owl hooted, his mocking laugh penetrating the night. Like him, I was wide, wide awake.

I stopped short of my bed with a sigh, turned instead 45 degrees to my right. I fumbled through the Red Sea of dirty laundry, arms outstretched…felt the outline of a headrest, gently spun the chair. I sat myself softly, then spun it and myself 180 degrees. My right claw clutched the mouse, gave a careful shake of my prey, stimulating the glow of the screen as it came to life…I entered the realm of Fortnite.

I would face the consequences of the sleep-deprived son when morning came, but for now, the predator had arrived.