Them

Every night when I was young, I remember fearing my routine slumber. It first started one Christmas eve. Instead of gumdrops and sugar plums dancing in my head there was nothing but the torment of all the Tele-tubbies mocking me. They all stood in a group far away from me, they pointed and laughed. They called me names and made jokes about how I didn't have a T.V. in my stomach. After they had their share of laughs, it grew silent. The Tele-tubbies had no expression but a cold stare. The televisions in their stomachs turned to Christian programming. They'd stand silent, but after the tension grew to be too much to handle, they all charged me. Their jaws dislocated as they screamed a sickening banshee call. Before I knew it, I was surrounded, there was nothing I could do. They started to beat and kick me as they wailed in anger. After most of my bones were broken, they took turns regurgitating upon me, then within an instant they snatched me up, carried me hurriedly to the top of their hut, and fed me to their sun. It was all over. I awoke startled and covered in sweat, I have never slept since. Every time I close my eyes I see their deformed faces and crooked antennas. I can never go back, I can never sleep again.