Dogs Beg, Wolves Demand

Psychological Fantasia

Trigger warning

     Eltry ran through the dark halls of his home. The walls seemingly stretching out so he could never reach the door on the other side. He stumbled a bit, hands bouncing off the floor so he could regain his run again. His wide eyes darted over his shoulder, hearing whispering and strange noises crawling along after him. He could feel the normal syndrome of running in fear come over him, his limbs grew heavy. He suddenly noticed the door was in front of him, allowing a quick exit. Eltry grabbed the door knob, rushing through it, hands grabbed at his shirt, trying to tug him back. He made it through, slamming the door.
    
Eltry was greeted with the sweet aroma of familiar surroundings. He walked forward, light leading him forward to the room that seemed to be a kitchen. He stepped in, seeing the hauntingly familiar back of a woman. Her blonde hair reached to her shoulder blades before curling at the ends. She was wearing a yellow sun dress, an apron around her. A classic movie looking mom. Eltry walked to her, approaching in slow steps. She turned around, smiling, "Eltry, you're home!"She said happily and patted his cheek.
Eltry blinked, tears welling in his eyes. "Mom..?"He asked shakily, staring into her blue eyes. He hugged her, wrapping his arms tightly around her. His mother touched his back, "What's wrong? Did you have a bad day at school?"She asked, pulling away. He opened his mouth to say something but no words came out. He shook his head quickly, confused. Was this real or false?
Eltry's head jerked up, hearing another person enter the room. It was his father. He walked forward, patting Eltry hastily on the back. "Good day?"He asked, turning away to walk to the counter. Eltry stared at them both and squinted his eyes, "Can I have a hug dad?"He asked, looking up. Eltry's dad turned, smiling in confusion. "I thought you were the manly person in this house."He said, walking back over. He hugged Eltry and then looked to his wife. Eltry's mother smiled and hugged them both, leaning up to give her husband a kiss on the cheek. Tears flashed in his eyes and he squeezed them both. Eltry squeezed his eyes shut as tears began coming down his cheeks and let out a broken sob.
"What's wrong?"He heard his mother and drew back slowly, looking at both of them. He gasped, eyes widening as his mother's appearance changed. Her dress was now soaking in blood and she had a hole in her head, exposing all her brain matter on the wall beyond. Eltry quickly looked at his dad, who now was more solemn and old looking, blood staining his face. He stepped back quickly, staring at them both in fear. "Eltry, we need to leave."
    
Eltry's scenario flashed to something else, leaving the previous setting behind. All comfort was gone and he was back in his basement, staring up at the open door. His father stood in the door way, watching him. They shared brief eye contact before Eltry's dad melted away to pills, tumbling down the stairs to meet him on the cold floor below. He looked down, the meds swarming around him like it was their purpose to be there. Eltry stared down at the pills, understanding that these were his medicine. He stepped back, feeling overwhelmed with such an amount. Like they wanted to be in him all at once. A bright light suddenly sprang from the middle of the room, its yellow color spreading across the one spot. Like a spotlight upon a stage. Eltry walked over to it, seeing something hanging from it. He touched what was a rope, feeling the knots along it. A noose. He blinked, suddenly feeling him rise up. Eltry looked down quickly, seeing a stool take its place. He jerked his head back up, grabbing the rope and dipping his head through it. He rope tightened on his neck, like an instinct, choking him slightly. Eltry had no control over himself at this point, he just allowed his body to do whatever. He stared into the darkness, feeling a depressing and sinister weight rest on his mind. He recalled the previous scene and grabbed the rope, gripping it tightly.
Only then did he realize how alone he was in the world.

He woke up, realizing all he had witnessed with a dream. Eltry stared up at the ceiling of his bedroom, up at darkness.
He felt alone now, and knew he would be forever.

767 words