My eyes sting just trying to keep them open. I give in. The temporary blindness of my eyelids soothes the strain and cool the burn of staring. Staring into the screen on a weekday. The radiant and punishing white light couldn’t hold me back from finishing work due tomorrow. Actually today, 2:26 a.m., a lot earlier than usual. I lift my fingers and command them to rub my aching eyes, satisfying yet hurting them at each rub. My jaw struggles yet surrenders as exhaustion overcomes me and forces out an elongated yawn.

The light illuminating the room goes out, as I shut down the laptop. Only the streetlight across the street attempts to fill the void. It would’ve been an unsuccessful attempt if it wasn’t for the arch of the window revealing the innards of the single family home. I stand up and stretch my back, it cracks like a rifle going off. I’m in the middle of the room, in the center of darkness. I lunge towards the bed and feel the contact between my drowsy body and the welcoming mattress. Comfort flows from the mattress into me, taking off the tension of my muscles and placing them onto the hangers. My eyes follow the gestures of the mattress and soon I’m blind in the dark.

But crawling through the blindness is the unknown. Who grabs me by my head and spirals me down. I open my eyes and the unknown vanishes. Its hands off my head. I close my eyes and the unknown’s back, spiraling me again. This goes on until I get used to this feeling and the unknown gives up its little game. I keep my eyes shut as my mind unwillingly stops the invasion of tranquility by flashing thoughts. After half an hour, tranquility wins the hearts of my mind, and I’m fully asleep. Yet this feels like five minutes until the sun seeps through the blinds and awaken me with a fistful of light. Time to turn in my work, as I walk to the bathroom at six forty.