Sleepwalking (Open)

Evelyn had spent months at the mansion, and time seemed to blend together in an unusual way. The stress and chaos of the last few months was almost overwhelming, especially for someone who couldn't forget. Images stayed frozen in her mind: being chased threw alleys and sewers, getting thrown through the air, falling; injuries lingered, pain returned, and emotional struggles never went away. Her parents rejection of her never lost it's force, and gradually it all built up.

Endless nights and long days blended together, until sleep let it all rise to the surface. She didn't feel herself climbing out of bed, mind still filled with playbacks pushing her through the hallways. Evelyn didn't dream, she remembered, and her disoriented figure wandered through the mansion, outdoors, and into the trees outside the school.

In her head, the images churned. While she was stumbling towards the trees, her memories were running from a monster prowling at her heals. When she fell and her hand caught a tree for support, she felt alley walls, and felt the sting of bruises on her body. Her eyes were open, but she wasn't seeing her surroundings. The images in her head were haunting her, and leaving a terrified imprint on her actions.

For the first time, the echoes started chattering over the playbacks. [Outside mansion. Trees, grass, nighttime. Bark underhand.] The seemingly innocent remarks rattled her thoughts. Her vision flickered, the playbacks breaking, and she pressed her back against the tree, fighting the nightmares. Finally, she sank to the ground, pajamas picking up the dew from surrounding grass as she tried to orient herself. For once, she wished she could just dream. It was a lot easier to fight nightmares then hide from your own memories.