The Voices in My Head

It was a dark and stormy night when I was jolted out of a sleep.
what was that?
It was just the wind.
You should check the horses. 
The horses are fine. 
How can you be sure?
Why wouldn't they be fine? I can't hear any calling or banging. 
Maybe something else woke you. You should check, just to be sure. 
I'm tired and they're fine. 
How do you know? 
Because there's no reason to think that they are NOT fine. 
What if you woke up because something is wrong? 
What? Seriously? I'm not psychic. 
Well there was that research you did in university? 
Oh sure bring that up. I participated in one study in which I predicted a card at a greater than chance. Sitting in a dark room after exams were over-  I was half asleep at the time.
Well you're 'half asleep' now....
No I'm almost fully asleep. If you would.just.shut.up.
What was that?
THE WIND. 
You should check the barn. 
Oh for heavens sake. 

I get up and go downstairs. For all appearances the barn looks fine. But I know that's not good enough. I put on my boots and jacket and head out to the barn. The wind is wild. My female Aussie Belle is at my side. Perhaps out of loyalty but I suspect she has to pee and forgot to earlier when she was out. I slide open the barn doors. Steele nickers.
Irish: What's wrong? Should we FLEE?
Me: No, it's all fine. 
Steele: Hi. what are you doing up? I'm glad to see you. Someone ate all my hay. See! It's gone. I'm awfully hungry.
I give him half a flake of hay. I pat Irish on the nose. I secure the barn doors and head back into the house. Ed is sound asleep and oblivious. I lay down.
See I told you it was all fine. 
But you feel better right? 
Maybe. I'll feel better if I go to sleep. 
zzzzzzzzzz

I used to joke that the voices in my head told me I was fine. But I now suspect that they are trying to drive me crazy.