I lie awake. Haunted by a life that is not what I dreamt it to be. Haunted by a past that I wish was not etched in the stone of my memory. Haunted by an emptiness that creaks louder than any haunted house could hope to. Haunted because I never wanted to see this dark a shade of blue. Haunted by the all too likely scenario that this is all there is. Because these ghosts are relentless. This haunted house contains no one to help slay the demons - just me. I am forced to slay alone - as I lay alone - contemplating how to proceed. Sweet dreams.