“DREAM DEMON DUELS”

Tre, a paralyzed man, wakes up in his chair and is greeted by his embodied insomnia, sleep paralysis demon, and shadow and umbra. He tries to distract Tre by stealing food from the fridge and consuming Oreos. Tre returns to his room and cleans up, but finds a mess in the kitchen. His older cousin Chase visits and they discuss their rager in the house.

Tre and Chase play Mario Kart, with Tre winning the first challenge and then going to the backyard for an eating contest. They draw a cartoonish wolf and a detailed, realistic wolf, and Tre wins the contest. Tre bows down in defeat before getting a call from Alisha, who tells him that he needs to stay home tonight. Alisha suggests drinking a probiotic or something like prune juice, which Ret agrees to. He then suggests tea, but Ret fades away.

Tre goes back inside and finds Ret waiting on the couch, possessing him. They fight for control of the body, and Tre trips over himself trying to keep balance. Chase walks in, seeing them, and promises to give Ret a call and come back another time. Tre hands up in support of his cousin's struggle, and he walks out.

At night just before midnight, Tre pours hot water into a cup, and Ret tempts Tre to reach into the fridge instead. He suggests having more milk and cookies, but Tre simply smiles and ignores him. He takes a few big gulps at his desk, reaching the bottom of the cup as he rests it on a tray. The moment he does, he faces plants on his desk, snoring loudly.

s once again, smiling until he tries to move. Realizes he's stuck in place. He glances in horror at the cup and sees the tea bag. Realizes it's not coffee. It's Chamomile Tea.

"Aw you lucky brat."

Tre, still asleep on the desk, has another out of body visitor. Resembling him except they're wearing blue shades.

"Who the hell are you?" Ret can only turn his head at him.

"I'm me. Lights out!”

They clap as Ret fades away again, frantically tapping himself before he does.

After Ret fades away the visored visitor snaps their fingers three times.

Tre wakes up slowly, yawning as he does. Goes back to sleep on the desk.

The next morning Tre wakes up stretching and smiling. He heads to the bathroom.

Slips into the shower. He gets out, he dries off, and gets dressed in noticeably brighter clothes than the days before.

He goes to the kitchen. He pours hot water into his thermos, making a cup of coffee as he pops some waffles out of the toaster. He eats a quick breakfast and then heads out towards the door.

Tre is stuck in a chair, unable to move and realizes it's Chamomile Tea instead of coffee. He is greeted by another out-of-body visitor, who resembles him but is wearing blue shades. They clap and clap as Ret fades away, tapping himself before he does.

Tre wakes up slowly, yawning and goes back to sleep. The next morning, Tre wakes up, dressed in brighter clothes, and heads to the kitchen. He pours hot water into his thermos, makes coffee, and eats waffles. He heads out towards the door, smiling at the sunlight and making a call, "On my way there now." The story highlights the challenges faced by individuals who are stuck in their own minds and the consequences of their actions.

In the end, Ret returns to his room, amidst the chaos and confusion of his life. He is able to maintain his composure and enjoy the company of his cousin, Alisha, while also dealing with the challenges of his life.