My eyes shoot open; the moon's white light streams into my bedroom from the half-open curtains adjacent to the bed. I stretch, feeling my joints pop as I pull them; a yawn freshly coated with the essence of sleeplessness escapes my mouth.

Rubbing my eyes with the back of my hand I notice the slight movement of the curtains making me pause. My pulse quickens slightly, "It's just the breeze," I murmur, trying to steady my heartbeat.  Reaching out I turn my alarm clock - the red numbers flash back at me 01:18.  The same time I have been waking up for the last few days and I still don't have any explanation why.

I slowly peel the covers off my body, feeling the sharp cold of the breeze creeping in through the window.  It trails its fingers over my newly bare limbs while I brace my warm feet for the tiles.

The tips of my toes are first to lay themselves on the tiles, followed by the ball of my foot then eventually my whole foot. My other foot follows shortly after, going through the same procedure.

Subconsciously, I take a step forward towards the breeze; towards the cold. Gripping the curtain, I gaze out the window that overlooks the dense forest surrounding my house noting movement amongst the trees. I brush it off as the breeze drifting through the forest. 

After what feels like a solid five minutes I reach out and close the window, wondering how and why I had forgotten it open in the first place.  I turn on my heels, away from the eerily silent land.

As I make my way back to bed I hear it, the loud, deafening sound that has been haunting me for days. Instinctively my hands shoot up to my ears with little effect to block the sound digging into my skull. My heart is racing, slamming hard against my sternum.

Glancing around the room frantically, I see nothing peculiar. Once the noise quiets, I slide my adrenaline soaked hands from my ears down my face which is hot underneath my fingertips that have grown cold from fear. The noise is now a mere whisper in the background; taunting me.

My mind races as I lunge towards my nightstand, my whisper sharp.  "Where is it?" I curse under my breath realising what I'm searching for is standing right there - on my desk, behind me.

   "Ah, here it is," I say clicking on the flashlight, its bright beam illuminates my dark room.  I click it off once more, allowing my eyes to adjust to the sudden darkness enveloping me.

Heading towards my bedroom door, I reach out a hand to the hook behind it and grab the first thing my fingers touch - my bright pink rain coat.  I pull it on, thankful for the layer of material covering my mostly bare skin, helping brace the cold.

I slip the flashlight into the left pocket of my coat and count aloud, 'one, two, three,' until reaching five before opening the door and peeping down the hallway - left then right.

Relieved I'm the only one awake in the house I step out my room, drawing the door closed with a soft click. I start walking left, towards the staircase first passing the bathroom then Sydney's, my younger sister, bedroom.

I reach the front door after making my way downstairs; the kitchen being just to the right of the staircase and front door just ahead it. I'm grateful to see a pair of boots by the door - Sydney's I think. I slip them on and head outside.

Since waking the light breeze has picked up into a steady wind which slaps me in the face as it tries to trespass into my home. Tentatively, I step out the house.

In my room, I decided that I'm going to find out what the noise is or at least what it is that's making it. It has become a regular occurrence and I'm the only one who seems to hear it. Syd keeps saying it's my insomnia causing hallucinations again, but the noise has become more prominent and unbearable as the nights go by - I've simply had enough.

I stumble down the three steps leading up to the porch surrounding the entirety of our house. My booted feet hit the rocky pathway leading from the house to the paved driveway next to the garden.

After scanning the yard, I decide to walk East, as it seems like the most logical route into the forest bordering the property.

I'm fully awake now, mostly aware of my surroundings as I start towards the forest.