Peter Charbonneau

Raymond Cooper bolted upright in bed, his heart racing, his body glistening with sweat, his hands trembling against the pale ray of moonlight peering through the blinds. Frantic, his eyes darted fearfully about, scanning the room as

he tried to get his bearings.

“Goddamn dream,” he moaned, flopping back on the moistened pillow. He swung his feet to the floor.The bed groaned.

It’s only a dream, he told himself, but it didn't feel like one. And dream or not, it was wearing him out. Having lost ten pounds from his already slight frame, the lack of sleep had taken a toll. It was only a matter of time before the fatigue began to affect his work.

Rising unsteadily, he stumbled in the dark to the tiny attached bathroom onto the cold tile floor, fumbling for the light switch. Standing at the pedestal sink, he stared at the reflection in the mirror. Dark rings encircled bloodshot eyes in testament to his weariness.

Jesus, you look like shit, he thought, splashing cold water on his face, the icy sensation sending a chill through his tired body.

Though he needed sleep desperately, the thought of going back to bed was unsettling. A shower might help.

Pushing aside the tacky plastic shower curtain, he opened the faucet, waiting as a thick cloud of steam quickly filled the room before stepping in the tub. He sighed, as rivulets of hot water ran down his body soothing his aching muscles.

When he began to feel human again, he slipped into fresh pajamas, shuffled his way to the kitchen and poured a stiff drink, downing it in a single gulp. The warmth of the booze made him shudder. “Whoa,” he said, in a raspy voice.

He glanced at the clock, Two fifty-five. How would he make it through another day at work looking and feeling like shit, unable to think?

Moving gingerly, he edged along the darkened hallway, illuminated only by the green hue emanating from the display of the bedside clock. In no mood to change the sweat-drenched sheets, he grabbed a blanket from the linen closet and collapsed on the undersized couch in the living room. Though he slept and didn’t dream for the remainder of the night, it was an erratic, restless sleep.........