Invasion of the energy snatchers

She lay under the covers, the tap dripped in a constant rhythm in time with her fast beating heart. The rain fell steadily against the window and she tapped her fingers along with it. She felt paralysed yet she was aware of every nerve ending. The tingling sensation and the swoop in her stomach. She sat on the edge of the bed. Climbed back under and pulled the duvet above her head. Her breathing faltered and alternated between fast sharp intakes that burned her lungs and long slow rasping inhalation. She moved her feet against the bed frame. Partly in time with the sounds, partly to reassure herself she was still conscious, still breathing. She closed her eyes and watched the shadows of her dreams behind the lids. She opened them slowly blinking and starred. At nothing in particular. Eyes wide and pupils dilated. She tried to grasp for a thought. Nothing came. She was blank, vacant. She lost the ability to speak, to comprehend. She felt like a child. Vulnerable and disorientated. She brushed the skin on her arm and massaged the site of searing pain on her temple. She felt as if all life and energy, even the parts of her that were dedicated to overthinking had drained through her body that was sinking into the mattress. Every limb weighed down. Every cell in her body struggled to remain afloat as she sunk further into oblivion. She did nothing but stay in that position until an uneasy exhaustion took her into a disturbed sleep. She woke not knowing who she was. For a moment it was comforting, followed by terrifying and disappointing when she was able to focus enough to remember. She rose only to do the things that were necessary. She forgot how to dress, how to sit, how to communicate.She was trapped inside a cracked shell. The floating rational version slept. Unable to awake like a twisted sleeping beauty. Not even true love's kiss would bring her back to life today. She traced the walls with her fingers feeling the cool plaster and lingered by the dim glow of the lamp, transfixed by the glare. She felt she had been there before. Was it deja vu or Groundhog Day. The worst place to be trapped is inside yourself. She looked at the reflection in the mirror. Pale, worn and aged. She could not muster enough energy to care. Time stopped and every second intensified the sinking sensation. The muscles on her face strained to smile. It seemed alien. Her whole body felt like it did not belong to her. She accepted the inevitability that today it was achievement enough to be.