Tortured Souls (On Hold)

Chapter 7

Hello Readers, I would really like to get some feedback so far of how you are enjoying the book.  I would love to hear from you.  Here's the next chapter.  I am writing these chapters as I go along at this point, so it may be a few days between updates from this point.

My heart is racing.  I struggle to catch my breath, but my life depends on getting further into this thicket of thorns.  Another screeching snarl fills the night air.  It seems to be getting more excited as it nears me and catches the scent of fear cascading off me in a torrential pace.

I have no idea what the creature is that is behind me, I only know based on what it sounds like, that it is big and hungry.  I am to be its next meal, but the will to live pushes me forward.  I really hope this thing is deterred by the thorns that are slicing me all over.  My shirt and pants are in tatters, and it is cold.  The sweat trickling down my face is no indication, but that is from exertion, not heat.

I hear the breaking of branches and another screech, and know it is definitely not deterred by thorns.  I have to keep moving, but I have no idea where I am.  Panic is my companion on this journey and he is not helping one little bit.  I hope whatever monster this is, it doesn’t hunt in a pack or I am doomed when I find the end of this pain-filled maze of thorns.

I feel the waft of heat on the back of my legs, and pray that it wasn’t from the monster that trails me, but I don’t want to turn to look and find out.  Regardless of the pain I scramble forward, trying desperately to pick up the pace, but keep getting hung up on the thorns. 

I suddenly feel weightless as the ground drops out from below me.  It is a short fall, thankfully, and I splash land in what feels like sticky tar.  Please don’t let it be quick sand is the thought rolling through my brain.

I try to move, but the substance is thick and it is if I am being held in place by an invisible band.  It seems as if it is cooperating with the monster that has given me chase, ensuring my end will be short in coming.

I have only managed to get a few feet from my initial landing spot when my pursuer drops in behind me.

It is screeching from surprise as well as excitement, and all I can really see in the dark is lots of sharp white teeth and glowing red eyes.

I turn and try to fight my way forward, but I can’t see where this pit ends, or how I am going to survive.

I feel something grab my arms close to my shoulders from behind, and I scream like a banshee.  Well, at least until I realize I am being lifted out of the pit.  Whatever is carrying me is invisible, and I feel as though I am flying to the destination it has predetermined.  Please God, don’t let wherever I am being taken be worse than what I just came from.  Did I just pray?  Where did that come from?

A plateau emerges before me and I am gently placed on it.  I am alone with a view of the valley floor.  I see the pit I had been plucked from and the monster is sinking into it.  I still only see sharp teeth and glowing red eyes, but they just hover at the surface of the blackness.  I am safe for now.

“Good morning, this is Kevin Jackson from KPRK, your pop rock station, playing another of your favorite tunes right after these commercial messages.”

My hand instinctive reaches out and slaps the snooze button.  There is little chance I’ll be snoozing anytime soon after that nightmare!  I am sweaty, out-of-breath, and my sheet and blanket is twisted around my body holding me hostage temporarily.

Just like in the dream, I struggle to untangle myself.  I have had similar dreams in the past, but this was the first time I was actually aided.  What was that supposed to mean?  What was it that had help set me free in the dream?  Why was it invisible?  Why on earth had I felt the compulsion to pray?  That was a first!  That was almost scarier than whatever had that mouth full of sharp teeth.