At night she is always scared of going to sleep. She tries to stay awake as much as possible. Never know what has triggered the memory. Never know what would cause the dreams. But finally, tired from the heat she sleeps. And then they come, the nightmares.

The subconscious mind always troubled her. It could be anything.
It could be a scene from the movie she saw. For example, the scene from the movie she saw last week. Even though the camera moves away and blacks out, the screams could still be heard. The girl was being violated and though its not shown, the idea is conveyed. And that was enough for her to have a disturbing night.

Why a rape scene? She might have seen a man staring. Lecherous men are around in plenty. The world will never be rid of them. A man staring at a girl, his eyes full of lust. That dirty look. That is enough. She will remember everything.

The nightmares will invade her sleep. She will be transported to that day and time. Ironically, it might not be the same man and place. That is the scary part. She dreams of everyday places, of everyday men. Men she knows, men she trusts.

Today she will see the corridor. The dark and lonely corridor. She will see that man chasing her. She will see that man touching her. Who will this man be? Let's leave it unsaid. But she fears him. She knows that. She fears his eyes. She has seen it in his eyes. It was the same. Same as that man's.

She will wake up scared to death. She will cry her heart out. She will step out of the room so that she doesn't wake her roommate. She will calm down. Pray to Lord for the thousandth time to take it away. Then tired from crying she will sleep. This time Lord blesses her with sleep. Deep sleep. Oblivious to the world.

How many times has she battled this? How many years since this has been happening? How many prayers? How many doctors? She has lost count. It will be there for life. For as long as she lives. You might think that the effect wears down, that she will get used to it. But it never does. It is like its happening everyday. Its a fresh wound everyday.

How do I know this? Well, its because...we are the same, me and her.