He’s Awake

I noticed something strange last night. The streetlights blinked in the same rhythm.

Every house had a window open. Every curtain moved the same way. At first,

I thought it was the wind. Then I realized the wind didn’t exist.

I walked down the street. Every step echoed… too loudly. Too perfectly.

Then I saw them. People standing in their yards. Motionless. Facing my direction.

Smiling. The same smile. I tried to look away, tried to run,

but my feet didn’t move. And then one of them whispered— “He’s awake.”