or inflict any pain whatsoever. I was afraid to open my eyes, unsure of whether the dog was safe, squished, or had run away for the second time. However, time was ticking and I had no choice but to open them. After all, I had places to go and people to see. I finally conjured enough courage to lift my eyelids, and what I saw left me speechless. I was back in my bedroom again! My curtains were drawn, lights were off, and I was under the covers of my butterfly fabric blanket. Astonished, I lifted my head from my silky pillow-case, taking in the morning sunlight that shined through my already closed blinds. I checked my nightstand, my clock reading nine o’ clock in the morning. To make the situation even more compelling, the date was the same from earlier. If earlier even existed, where the thought of not knowing terrified me. The time was also the exact same from when I had woken up one hour ago. Had it all been a dream? Could it all have been an odd phenomenon that predicted the future ahead? My shorts and tank top were neatly folded on my desk, completely untouched. I quickly lifted the sheets, examining my once bloody knee. It looked strong and steady, the smooth skin with no signs of bruises or swelling. I rose slowly from my bed, still in awe from where I was. I looked back at myself through the wardrobe mirror, hair entirely a mess and still wearing pajamas. I tried to remember what had happened as I got dressed. The silence still lingered in the air, both inside my bedroom and in the dream. I had to uncover the truth about what had really happened, no matter how difficult it might be. Without saying goodbye to my mother, I rushed down the stairs and out the door. I approached the very end of my driveway. I gazed forward, left, then right. I decided to take one step further, onto the road. Nothing. I took another step forward. Still nothing. I was just about to take my third step further, but suddenly, the blue car sped down the street, only inches away from my foot. I was back on the ground, and in that moment, the realization struck me that I was trapped in an endless repetition of the same day, unable to ever break free.
5 Years Later ….
I remember the unbearable feeling in my stomach once I learned that I would be in a relentless cycle of the same day forever, making a prison seem like a paradise compared to this place. A lot has changed since that day, fortunately, for the better. Although it was only a few years ago since I managed to escape, I can still completely recall what happened. After countless days, weeks, and years spent trying to escape that nightmare, I finally figured out what had led me to this point. It was the blue mysterious car. After watching it zoom down the street over and over again, I noticed how unnaturally fast it was going. Nearly faster than the sound of light, this vehicle, with a driver inside, would fly past me. If only there was a way that I would be able to communicate safely with the driver. A sign to slow down or to stop. Once I had gathered everything and collected all of the supplies that I had needed, I scattered the items around the street in front of my house. I had drained and broken a few of my fathers beer bottles, sprinkling the shards of colorful glass randomly on the black cement.
From the distance, I remember hearing a loud, revving engine from the end of the street, where the driver was ready to go. I quickly scurried back to the end of my driveway and slowly pretended to start walking into the road. Just as planned, the tires drove directly over the broken glass, each piece shattering under the weight of the car. A hissing sound followed the loud cracking sounds as all of the pressure in the tires completely gave away. All of the tires were popped, which meant that my plan had succeeded! The car eventually came to a halt a few houses down, while I both chased and kept my distance from it. I was uncertain about what I was going to find and who I was going to meet. The driver had been wearing a helmet since the first time that I had saw him, even while I was being chased. I