I called my doctor and told him about all the strange stuff.
He told me the headaches and dreams were probably just a side effect, nothing to worry about.
By
Updated 4 years ago,September 7, 2021
Day 1
Im trying a new medication.
Charles Etoroma
My doctor recommended it.
Said it would help with things.
Really no risk, so they say.
My doctor said I should document any changes I feel, good or bad, regarding my behavior.
So I started this little diary.
I feel kind of silly, Ive never been the journal bang out.
I just got home from the docs about twenty minutes ago.
Im about to take one of these little pills.
I feel a little nervous, despite his reassurances.
Im probably just paranoid, as usual.
Anyway…here we go
Day 2
Well, I didnt sleep very well.
I had headaches all night.
The doctor said that was a possible side effect.
Other than that, I havent noticed any other differences.
I took some Advil around four and that seems to be helping.
Im about to make lunch.
They say I should take these pills on a full stomach.
Im glad I dont have to go into work today.
I think after lunch Im going to take a nap.
Im tired and my head has finally stopped killing me.
Its funny, this is the second entry Ive written today.
Maybe I actually like doing this?
Anyway, Im about to go to bed.
Earlier, I ate lunch, took my pill, and then passed out on the couch.
I had weird dreams.
Its strange because I NEVER have dreams.
Anyway, its almost midnight and I need to get some sleep.
Hopefully it doesnt rain.
Day 3
I had a weird day today.
Everything was fine until I went to the lake.
I took my pill around noon before I went.
So, I went to the lake around three.
I brought my book and towel and laid out on the shore.
It was sunny and warm, a nice day.
There were a few families there, mostly little kids and a few teenagers.
Everything was going ok until…well…I heard this…horn.
Now, you have to understand this lake is out in the middle of nowhere.
Its a local secret.
You have to take this awful dirt road through the woods to even get there.
But once youre there its beautiful.
Its like being at the ocean in the middle of a forest.
Its distant and low, rumbling across the water from the far bank.
It reminded me of one of those old Viking horns.
Bewildered, I realized I was the only one who seemed to hear it.
I looked around, tearing my sunglasses off, and no one even blinked at the sudden noise.
Well after about three minutes, the horn finally stopped.
After that, I decided it was time to leave.
I started packing up my car and froze, one hand on the driver side door.
Across the lake, three figures were watching me at the waters edge.
They were far away, too far to make out their features.
It looked like three men, but I couldnt be sure.
Something was wrong with their faces, but no matter how hard I squinted, I couldnt see clearly.
Thoroughly scared, I pulled my door open and hopped in my car.
As I drove away I could feel their gaze in my rear view mirror.
Day 4
I dont know what to make of all this.
Im going to call my doctor.
I had more dreams last night.
I took my pill a little before breakfast, but Im wondering if I should have held off.
It seems to make these headaches worse.
I went to work today but couldnt seem to concentrate.
I felt like someone was watching me.
I feel like theres someone watching me now
Its four in the morning.
I just woke up from a nightmare.
I heard that horn again.
I dont know if it was outside or in my dream, but it woke me up.
Im sweating like crazy, it scared the shit out of me.
I keep thinking I see things move past my window.
Day 5
Well, today was much better.
I called my doctor and told him about all the strange stuff.
He told me the headaches and dreams were probably just a side effect, nothing to worry about.
He seemed skeptical about the other stuff though.
I told him everything and, God bless him, he listened to my ramblings.
He assured me it was probably just stress related, but to contact him if it got worse.
Im just going to suck it up.
He said I just had to finish the ten day trial and then we could reevaluate.
Day 6
More dreams last night.
I dreamed something was sliding around my floor, like a shadow under my feet.
Every time I tried to move away from it, it would zip back under me.
I crawled up on my bed and it slid up the wall like a dark piece of paper.
Right before I woke up, I thought I heard giggling under my bed.
When I got home from work today, something didnt seem right in my apartment either.
My closet door in my bedroom was wide open.
I dont remember opening it this morning, but I guess I could have forgotten about it.
I made sure to close it tight.
Its four in the morning.
Something is giggling in my bedroom closet.
Im writing this down to keep myself from going into a full blown panic.
I dont feel good.
I took my pill.
I dont know why.
I called out of work.
I closed all the blinds.
I just want to sit in the dark and not fall asleep.
My head is still killing me.
Something is really wrong with me.
I think theres something standing on my balcony.
Day 8
Its midnight.
I havent fallen asleep yet.
Im on my couch, havent moved since yesterday except to take my pill.
I can hear that horn again.
Its distant, barely audible, but there.
I think something is giggling in my bedroom.
Day 9
I called my doctor today.
I told him about all the horrible things that have been happening.
You know what he said?
When I asked who, he hung up.
He seemed flustered, scared.
What the fuck is going on?
Whos doing this to me and why?
Im still sitting on my couch.
I dont want to move.
Work keeps calling me but I dont care.
I just need to finish this trial.
Just be done with it.
I think theres something in my bedroom.
I cant see it because my door is closed, but I can hear it.
It walks around on heavy feet and then giggles.
I feel like if I just ignore it, it cant hurt me.
Im fucking terrified though.
Day 10
Its three in the morning.
Im still on the couch.
Something just opened the bedroom door.
I can feel it staring at me, but I refuse to look at it.
Im writing this down to keep my eyes away from it.
My heart is beating so fast I feel like Im going to throw up.
Its just standing there like its waiting for me to acknowledge it.
Its going to kill me if I do.
I know it will.
It just giggled at me, the child-like sound ripping through the darkness.
What eight foot thing makes a sound like that?
Why wont it move?
What does it want from me!?
Theres something behind me too.
I wont look, I wont look, I wont look.
I need to keep my hands busy and focused on this so I wont look.
It sounds like theres…three…behind me…
I…I dont even know what to say.
I called my doctor.
He started laughing at me.
Big, loud gut-busting laughter.
Once he got himself under control a little bit, he told me that the pills were harmless.
He told me the pills were Tylenol.
I sputtered, mind expanding with possible reasons to this revelation and reaction from him.
He started laughing again and I asked what the hell he was talking about.
He said the whole trial was bullshit.
He said it was a little game he had concocted for me.
He said there was no hope for me.
I hung up to his howling laughter.
My hands were shaking, sweating.
I couldnt fucking comprehend it.
I couldnt wrap my head around why he would do something like that.
I thought I was getting better…
The sane are an entirely different kind of sick…
Read the whole story of Tommy Taffy.
THE THIRD PARENT by Elias Witherow is now available!here.
