Wildest Dreams

w a r ni n g d r ea m

Burning.

Steaming.

I ran as fast as I could, even if I didn't know where I was going. I cradled my wounded hand close to my chest as it left droplets on the direction I came from and smeared on the ladders I climbed. With a grunt, jumping down to the wet concrete, I glanced back to make sure he wasn't following me, that I had another chance to escape.

Hissing.

Dripping.

My bare feet trudged along the darkly lit boiler room. Puddles of water, oil, and maybe something else scattered all around. This place was a maze, and every night I tried to escape it with no luck.

Scratching.

Laughing.

Maddening.

"Peek-a-boo!"

I raised my hands just in time as the killer attacked me again. Blood seeped through the new cut when I shielded myself from his blades. There goes another lifelong mark of a near-death experience.

"Go away!" I yelled, pushing him away and bolting to the other direction. I pushed a curtain out of the way and fell forward accidentally.

An empty street was where I landed. It seemed familiar but I couldn't recall where I've seen this place.

I pushed myself up with a painful heave, my blood mixing with the grime on the asphalt. I breathe in heavy humid air as my feet took me along the dark road. With my heart still beating dangerously against my chest, I sought for a way to wake up while the creepy guy was still not present.

"NO! ROD, WAKE UP!"

A distant screaming stopped me from walking. I recognized the voice as Nancy's.

"Nancy? Is that you?!" I called back, hoping it wasn't a trap. She continued to shout for Rod.

It was hard to pinpoint where she was, her voice echoed from everywhere. I picked up my pace and decided to go look for her even with no exact way. Still, I was wary of everything because the sudden silence became too deadly.

"Nancy!" I called again in case she was anywhere near. Sounds of screaming and metal clanging responded, making my worry grew more.

I picked up a piece of wood on the street as something to defend myself with. Taking cautious steps, I tried to search for Nancy, hoping she was still alive, or at least, awake now.

"Nancy!" I called, gripping the wood tighter. "Where are you?!"

I saw figures on the corners of my eyes like they were surrounding and yet I felt alone. After a minute of silence, a gust of cold wind blew my way, making me shudder a breath. A single white feather flew in front of me, bright under the moonlight.

"Dance with me, doll!" A raspy voice behind me spoke.

I screamed but instincts kicked in fast. In an instant, I hit him with the wood again and again until I was sure it would take time for me to escape him. But I was wrong, he had gotten to me and before I knew it—

The phone on my bedside table began to ring.