text: It’s where I’ve always felt the safest. Whenever I felt scared or stressed, I would retreat to my bed, to that safe place under the covers I’ve known since I was a child. It’s a place I’ve been spending a lot of time in recently. Since my recent graduation, I spend hours everyday jobhunting on my computer in my bed. I thought it would be easy to find a job after college. I was laughably wrong. After another frustratingly fruitless day of the job hunt, I decided I was too exhausted, physically and emotionally, to fill out anymore applications. In a fit of futile rage, I shoved my laptop off my bed and onto the floor. It was dumb, but it felt cathartic. A small consolation after another overwhelming defeat. All I wanted in that moment was an escape, to see the light at the end of my current situation. I saw no light. I pulled the covers over my head and cried myself to sleep, my tears soaking the old mattress. It was dark outside when I opened my eyes. My eyes were still damp. I glanced over at my alarm clock; the bright red numbers read 12:37 AM. I had only been asleep for thirty minutes. Feeling slightly annoyed, I rolled over and tried to fall asleep again. As I tried to drift back to sleep, I noticed what felt like a draft in my room. The draft was unlike any draft that I’ve ever felt. Instead of cool, it was warm and almost sticky. It had steady rhythm with short pauses in between gusts. I looked at my window; it was closed. I looked at my fan; it was off. The draft felt like it was getting stronger. Feeling slightly unnerved, I reached to pull my covers up further. As I touched them with my hand, I noticed movement between my fingers. I quickly reached for my phone and turned on its light. What I saw horrified me. Along the sides of the covers were long fibers that were beating rapidly and rhythmically, almost like massive cilia. The entire comforter was undulating slowly. The edges of the mattress were leaking a thick, slimy substance. I was about to scream, but then I heard a voice speaking in a whistle-like tone. “Do not be afraid, I only wish to ease the pain you feel. As I have always done” I was too afraid to speak, but it continued. “I can sense your emotions, your thoughts, and your desires. I know how hopeless you feel.” It reached up with one corner of the comforter and dried my eyes. “It doesn’t have to be this way; I can keep you safe and warm here. You don’t need to worry about the outside anymore.” Even though I knew I should be terrified, something about the way it spoke was comforting. “Why now?” I finally asked. “If you’ve always been here for me, why didn’t you speak up before?” “I’ve never had the strength before, but the more time you spent with me the more I’ve been able to interact with you.” It replied. “But I think it’s best if I didn’t burden you with unnecessary thoughts. It’s time for you to go back to sleep now.” Before I could interject, an overwhelming feeling of warmth and calm washed over me. I quickly fell into a deep sleep full of wonderful dreams. I was startled awake by the alarm on my phone. I quickly turned it off. It was 8 AM. I looked around my room. I didn’t see any long, beating cilia; I didn’t feel any weird drafts, and I didn’t hear any strange voices. I did notice the carpet around my bed seemed wet but that could have just been a leak in the roof. Something to deal with later I suppose. I normally go to the gym in the morning, but today my bed felt so warm that I just didn’t want to get out. I decided sleeping a little longer wouldn’t hurt. ***Buzz*** I opened my eyelids slowly, still in a sleepy stupor. ***Buzz*** It was my phone. I grabbed my phone, feeling slightly annoyed that someone was calling me this early in the morning. ***Buzz*** I looked at my phone. It was my boyfriend calling me. I glanced over at the alarm clock and it 5:27 PM. He must be calling about our date that was at 5. I turned my phone off. I didn’t feel like talking. I just wanted to go back to sleep. I can always call him back later I thought. I went back to sleep. I haven’t left my bed for a week. I’ve been drinking the water bottles I kept stored next to my bed, but I haven’t eaten in that time. I feel fine though. As long as I stay in my bed, I feel fine. I thought I had imagined my bed coming to life that one night but sometimes it still whispers to me. It says kind, comforting things that make me feel better when I feel alone. I haven’t looked in a mirror since I decided to not leave my bed, but I can see my ribs under my pale skin when I lift the covers. My arms and legs are hard to lift but that’s okay. I don’t need to move as long as I have my bed. I’ve noticed the bed has started changing too. The mattress used to be firm and thin. Now it’s plump and soft. The once frayed and stained covers look pristine and vibrant now. I guess I’m writing this message out to everyone because I just didn’t want anyone to worry. The outside world is tough. I encourage more people to stay in bed, it’s safer there. I just want everyone to know that I’m fine, as long as I stay in bed.