FREEWRITES

MAY 1, 2018

Zathura

How much time might I spend away from the world? Lost with my cat in my room, I become Josh Hutcherson. An undeserving space traveler, greeted by a faceless astronaut dare I open my door.  Thinking that the door frame is the safest place to be in an earthquake. Are there earthquakes in space? Are late afternoon naps the world’s truest version of time travel? Will I face the reflection of vast space in an astronaut’s obsolete helmet?

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I can see his fangs clearly upon opening my eyes. He “hrrups” gently if and when I stir. Hides his small body under the layer of concrete that covers me.  Contributes his life’s little warmth to the sauna that begs my sweater to come off. I won’t sleep naked. I would never dare to be so vulnerable. Naked sleep is for knights whose armor is irrelevant and princesses whose thighs could snap your neck in seconds. And I do not live under a monarchy.

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I am away. Expecting a snoozed alarm to rid me of my headache and promise me I’ll wake to an astronaut outside my door. But I think I’d prefer Josh Hutcherson.