Chapter Four : 

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During the walk back, I contemplated all that the deer had said. None of it really made any sense, but I had this feeling that the deer was telling me some kind of truth. What was even more confusing, I had no idea what I was to do; how would I save everyone? And what am I saving them from? I know everyone seems to be frozen in time, but why? 

Around me, the supernatural part of the woods faded and colors became dull and sinister looking. The trees and grass and everything had become all different shades of gray, like the life had been sucked out of them. 

I don't remember how long the walk back took since I didn't have a way to tell time, but it felt like hours. My feet were dragging, the air felt insanely heavy, and even though it was the forest I'd always known, I didn't feel at peace anymore. I thought there were eyes watching me, in the trees. 

Out of breath and exhausted, I finally reached home. "Hello?" I called as I opened the front door. "Mom? Dad?" Walking into the living room, I saw them sitting on the couch, the way they were when I left. Except that now their eyes were attached to the TV screen, unseeing, empty, glazed over. I almost screamed because I thought they were dead, but then I saw the soft rise and fall of their chests - they were breathing, so they must be somewhat okay, I told myself. I wanted to make sure, so I walked over to them and felt for heartbeats - which were there, but abnormally slow, thumping in a delayed way like a wounded animal trying to escape a closed box. Their heartbeats actually seemed to have some strange pulse or pattern... Which matched the hum that was coming from the TV. I turned to look but then I remembered what the deer had warned me of, so I ran out of the living room and downstairs to the breaker box. I switched off the living room power, then went back upstairs. 

My parents sat unaltered, still staring into the now blank TV screen. I couldn't look at them anymore, so I went to get a snack and then go to sleep.

I could barely choke down a few saltine crackers because all I'd seen today took away my appetite. I went upstairs to brush my teeth and change into my favorite light blue nightgown. The grandfather clock in the hall said eleven P.M., and it definitely felt like it. 

Hours later, at four in the morning, I lay awake in my bed. I hadn't gotten a minute of sleep ( which  was no surprise ) even though I'd tried so many things: chamomile tea, opening my window, some stretching and breathing exercises, using more pillows, using no pillow. I feel close to insane when I can't rest, and anyways, it was too much stress pressuring myself to fall asleep. So I sat in my windowsill, feeling the breeze blowing, seeing the treetops rustle and my curtains billow, smelling the fresh air. Eventually I closed my eyes...

When I awoke I had a horrible ache in my neck because I was laying at a weird angle on my bedroom floor, next to the window. I blinked a little and remembered that since I couldn't sleep last night I had moved here... I was glad I fell IN from the window, not OUT of it. I was surprised that hadn't awoken me, but then again I WAS exhausted. 

Sunlight spilled in from my window, making me warm and awake. The red glowing numbers on my alarm clock read 11:03 A.M.. I went downstairs to get some breakfast, because now I was feeling a little hungry. My parents were still glued to the sofa; frozen, unmoving, almost lifeless. I could barely give them a glance as I walked to the kitchen, I didn't want to ruin my appetite even more. 

I sliced up some fruit and sat alone at the table to eat it... My parents had always sat with me at breakfast. I almost choked on a chunk of apple because of the lump in my throat. Instead of crying or feeling more sad, I decided anger was better and so I threw my bowl of fruit at the kitchen cupboard. It made a loud smashing noise as it shattered against the cupboard, glass and blueberries and strawberries and oranges all in pieces on the floor. I wasn't going to clean it up.   

I went outside and sat on the porch, wondering if I was crazy or if this was all a nightmare. But I knew this was real, a glance back inside the house at my poor parents would prove that. Actually, seeing anyone in this town would prove that...