Kaida

The time read 5:30 a.m. when I woke up. I hadn't been awakened by a nightmare; my eyes had simply decided it was time to rise.

I tried to close them again and force myself back to sleep. However, sleep continued to elude me. Thoughts consumed my mind, making it difficult to concentrate on my mission to drift off again. I turned restlessly in bed.

With a surge of frustration, I leaped into a sitting position, throwing my arms over my knees, my back arched like a scorned cat's. I ...