Enkil (A Working Title)

*Still in development. May add more to different parts in the future. Hope you enjoy!*

It’s always the same. The nightmares never go away no matter what I do. Every night, the same nightmare. I try my best to avoid it but no matter what I do I’m dreaming again. In my dream, I see a faceless figure move across a hall. This hall is empty and lit only by candles. The hall has a large wooden door on one end while the other seemingly leads nowhere. The dream is always fixed on this door. Something about it makes me uneasy. The intricate design of the handles, and the intimidating structure of the wood. The door itself in its size makes me feel like I’m being watched. No light comes through the door. No sliver or glow escapes the cracks of the wood or the outline of the door. It’s almost breathing like a sleeping monster daring me to come closer. But I’m stuck a few feet away. Is it the door that keeps me where I am?

Then I hear a woman scream as if she was trying to get the attention of someone nearby. She sounds so familiar. The figure leaves through the wooden door as the woman screams. I’m there but I can't move or say anything. All that I can do is watch the figure leave. I try to reach out but as soon as I do, I wake up with tears in my eyes and my sheets covered in sweat.

I don’t know why I have this dream, or who this man is. But, every night, they get more intense. I try not to sleep because of it. The biggest question is, why do I get so emotional? Waking up feels so unreal. As though I'm remembering something.

It’s gotten to the point where there are numerous dream catchers hanging around my bed and a fan pointing in my direction to help with the sweat. Apparently, I produce a lot of moisture. My sheets and covers are soaked and askew as well. Great, just what I needed, more laundry.

The light from my window started to cut through the darkness of my small, cluttered bedroom. I’ve been meaning to clean, just haven’t had the motivation. Carefully stepping through the room so I don’t bump into anything, I head over to the light switch, flipping the switch only to have nothing happen. Then try a few more times, because, Hey! Maybe the fifth time will work?

“We’re behind on the bill again. Fuck. I guess I can stay a few hours at work to cover it. So much for new shoes.” I talked in a whisper so I wouldn’t wake up my mom, my room had thin walls. The blades of light from the window were brighter now, making my eyes adjust.

“Wait, what time is it?” I looked at my phone that thankfully got charged before the power went out. 8:45 am. “Shit! I’m late!” School starts at 8:30, which normally wouldn’t be a big deal. I’d just miss my first period and call it a day. But I live in Brooklyn, I need to take a bus and the subway to get to my school. Not so simple now.

The clocks in my house stopped working so my alarm didn’t go off. As I was rushing to get ready, I heard my mother get up and fiddle with the lights as well. “Fuck!” I heard her from the bathroom.

“The power is out, love” My mom shouted at me from inside her room.

“Uh kn-ugh” I was brushing my teeth when I responded. She came into the view of the mirror. My mother, still in her pajamas, was looking especially tired today. “Long shift?”

“Yeah, we were slammed last night. Everyone wants to eat out on a Sunday.” My mother started to fix my hair as I picked at my face. “So, you’re starting your second semester today? Very cool.” My mother stood back giving me room to put on my backpack. “You look nice today. Ya got a hot date?”

“Mom, since when did girls ever talk to me?”

“I always wondered that. You know it’s okay to bring girls over if you want.” Apparently, I gave my mom an odd look because she quickly added, “Or guys! I don’t care! You know I’d love you anyway. “

“Mom!” At this point, I was trying to just get out of the situation altogether. I made my way past her.

“Okay, okay, you’re not gay. Just got to make sure, you know?” She stopped me from continuing down the hall. “Sebastian, you know I love you right?”

“Yeah, I know mom”

“I’m so thankful for all the help you do around here. Don’t worry about the lights, I’m on that. I want you to spend your next check on yourself. Might I suggest some new shoes?” My mom nods her head towards my feet.

“Yeah, these Nikes are pretty well-loved.” I glance at my phone again, 9:15. “I should head to school now.”

“Okay hun, I’m off today so tell me about your day when you get home okay?” My mom pulls me in for a hug, kissing me on the cheek at the same time.

“That’s the plan. Hopefully, I can get there in time for lunch.” This took my mom by surprise as she looked at her phone. “Shit, I’m sorry hun. Do you want me to give you a ride?”

“Mom, it’s past nine. You giving me a ride will be just as fast as the subway.” I did prefer to get a ride from my mom. Time with her is my favorite. It’s just, she needs to save her gas. It’s so expensive now. Hell, everything is expensive now. If I can help save a few bucks by taking public transportation, then so be it.

“This is true, this is very true. Well, hurry up. I’m going to take a shower. Hopefully this time we’ll have hot water.” She did her mom laugh like she always does. It’s charming. I was actually curious if we had hot water. I started to tie my shoes. The duct tape was coming loose. Grabbing a new piece from the roll, I start to patch up my once-nice sneakers.

“Lights or shoes?” Talking to myself again. One of the many charming things about myself. No friends? Nonsense! You’re your own best friend. Girlfriend? Nope, your hand will do. Nothing you can’t solve on your own!

Locking the door behind me, I start a full sprint to the bus stop. You’d think I’d be on the cross-country team from how often I do this. Making it just in time I reach the bus.

Oh, public transportation, how I hate you so. Everyone can snap at you with just a look. Some people expect your seat if you’re a healthy young man. It’s not my fault your husband didn’t pull out lady! Now you want me to move because you have swollen ankles. Sucks to suck. After spending most of my time on the bus with my head in my phone, I finally reach my stop.

“Thanks for the ride bye!” I started a full sprint to the subway. Looking at my phone. Not very smart for someone running in a populated city street. However, I need to keep track of time. I run into a few people but quickly apologize “Sorry, late for school!” Continuing to run I jump over the subway turnstile, reminding myself to pay later. Sometimes you gotta break the law in order to get a proper education. I check my phone again.

“10 o’clock, good. If I hurry, I’ll be able to- uh-ahh!”

I fell, hard. At this point, I’m just disoriented. Breathing in dirt and dust. My vision is blurry and all I can see is a long dark tunnel, seemingly endless. It took a second to regain all my senses. It was only then I realized where I fell. I was in the subway tunnel.

I tried not to panic now that I realized the situation, I was in. The ledge up to the station was about, double my size. I tried to walk over to the ledge, tripping on the tracks. The ledge, now that I was closer, seemed reachable if I jumped.

“Ok, here goes nothing.” With my arms reached out, I try to jump and grab the edge of the flooring but only barely being able to scrape it with my nails and eventually landing on my ass from the fall. “Fuck.” At this point, I wasn’t sure if my hands or my ass hurt more. I try again only to fall completely on my back again. Luckily not hitting the railing. I get up and dust off the dirt from my clothes.

“Help! Somebody! I fell down here and now I can’t get back up!” No one hears me. My next instinct is to check the tunnel and see if there was an exit that way. Unfortunately for me there was just track and brick structure.

Only then was my worst fear realized. I could feel the shaking of the tracks as if the tunnel itself woke up from my yelling. The dust started to pick up. I heard the faint holler of the train. My body began to tense. The hairs on my neck stood tall as my mind was full of nothing, I could describe other than sheer terror. I tried to jump again but failed like the last two times. NOW the 10:15 decides to run on time?! I could see the lights from the train make their way around the corner of the tunnel. Loud screeching soon followed.

“PLEASE GOD SOMEBODY HELP I’M DOWN HERE! I DON’T WANT TO DIE, PLEASE!!” As I was screaming, I saw a hand reach down from the station floor.

“Come on kid, grab my hand!” Without hesitation, I jumped and clasped the mysterious hand. Using all my strength to pull myself up and, with pure luck, I managed to climb back up just before the train pulled into the station. I then collapse on the floor, panting and crying.

“Thank you, sir. If it weren’t for you, I’d be a goner.” After giving myself a few seconds to catch my breath, I look over. The man who saved me was a stranger, but he seemed familiar somehow. He was wearing an assortment of clothes and was very dirty and greasy. The man was old too, old enough to be my grandfather. He was coughing and laying on the floor. Did he hurt himself trying to save me?

“You okay kid?” The old man started to sit up. Now that I could see him in the light it was clear that he was homeless.

“Yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.” My head was spinning, and my hands were shaking as if I had just gone skydiving. I looked around to see if anyone was there but at that point, everyone left with the train. I started to get up on my feet. It took me a few seconds but I was able to stand. The old man, however, was taking even longer than I was. If I had to guess, probably because of bad knees or something.

“What were you doing down there son? He eventually got up and was leaning forward, putting his weight on his knees as he coughed.

“I fell by accident. I tried to get back up, but I didn’t have the strength. Thanks for helping me, that was really close.” I started to dust off my clothes and check my phone. 10:34. Man, I missed the train, almost died, and I’m going to be late.

“Were you watching where you were going? Must have been that phone.” The old man pointed to my phone as he walked back to a bench and took a seat. Of course, leave it to an old guy to blame technology. I mean, he’s right, but I can’t let him know that.

“No, I just didn’t see the drop. I’m running late for school.”

“Ah, yes. The place that’s so important that you’d risk your well-being just to avoid being in trouble.”

“That’s not really the case. It’s that I’ve been late so many times already. I can’t afford to be late anymore. I’ve already been late ten times this year. In my last school, I was kicked out because of it.” I sat down next to the old man. Normally you’d get weird vibes from homeless people, but this guy seemed oddly inviting.

“That makes perfect sense. Kick a kid out of school for missing too much school. Man, no wonder the country is going to shit. The education system is so messed up. “

“Yeah, that’s why I’m going to Richmond High.” Apparently, this piqued the old man’s interest.

“Richmond, isn’t that the school in Queens?”

“Yeah, and I live in Brooklyn.”

“Jesus Christ, kid. That’s a whole borough away. Why are you going there?” The old man started to turn his body towards mine as we talked. He was really taking an interest in my education.

“I told you. I got kicked out of too many schools. Richmond was the closest option.” I started to wipe the sweat from my hands on my jeans. It was like being in the principal’s office all over again.

“Why were you so late? School is important. You got to be there.” Wasn’t he just saying the education system was messed up?

“I had to work at this deli down the street to help pay rent.”

“Oh.” There was a long silence after this. It was like he wasn’t expecting that answer. “I’m sorry kid.”

“Don’t be.” I hated being pitied. It was the worst thing. The last thing I wanted was for people to look at me and feel sorry for me. Fuck that.

“Hey, I know tough times kid. I mean, look at me.” The old guy got up and did a little spin. “I’m not really financially stable right now. However, I’m not going to start begging people for money. That’s just sad.” He sat back down next to me patting my shoulder. “What’s your name kid?”

“Sebastian, but everyone calls me Stilts.”

“Why do people call you Stilts? You’re no taller than me. And I’m at least 5’10 when I’m not lying.” He did an innocent old man laughs at his own joke. Older people like this always make me feel better.

“When I was a kid, I was really tall. I got most of my growth spurts at once. I stopped growing and eventually, everyone else caught up. The nickname stuck I guess.”

“Makes sense. Well, I’m Tim. Nice to make your acquaintance, Stilts.” Tim stretched out his arm to shake my hand. “Hell of a grip you got kid.”

“Thanks.”