If I Die By Sunrise

Biting The Bullet

I was moving but my feet never touched the ground. I was fighting but my body remained still. I was screaming but my lips never moved. I felt the wind brush my skin and the light behind my shut lids dimmer. Someone was carrying me, my captor perhaps, I knew because a familiar scent enamored me. It was musky but also clean. Strong, but also mild. But I kept my eyes closed.

I didn't want to wake up from this dream; I could keep my eyes closed just a few seconds longer to enjoy the amount of time I had left before Death dragged me under. I could enjoy the scent. Lean back and relax while some other lost hero fought the battle.

This wasn't like any other dream I'd ever had. For one thing it wasn't the dream of a person plagued by nightmares. I was perfectly motionless. At peace with my mind and safe while, the demons of reality failed to pierce the barrier of my subconscious. Yet, I wasn't dead. Granted, Death was waiting for me with open arms, while a familiar stranger carried me to him, but I felt no need to put up a fight. For here in my somnambulant existence I was already winning.

I felt feather light in my captor's arms. He didn't seem to use any effort to carry me as his steps were so graceful it was hard to believe he was merely walking. I was aware now, that this man had never lived. Never knew the wonders of mortal life. I felt a degree of pity for him. For I knew my life was ending and he was forced to live on.

My captor trudged further on in the darkness before settling in probably the darkest room of all. Gently he removed me from his arms, where something soft and warm rested below me. Where his stone arms were safe and secure, this bed held no promise. I stretched an arm out, searching in the cruel darkness for him. But found nothing but air. Something was thrown over me. Something just as soft as the bed and an ominous voice permeated through the room and the last thing I heard as I drifted off was a voice tinged with honey saying "Rest now, we can continue our fight in the morning."

I woke up. I woke up. I woke up! I actually survived the night. My limbs, my body, my spirit! I could move, breathe, live another day. One minute I was about to be Jerry's dinner and the next minute I was still here. Seemingly normal except more rejuvenated.

I rose from the bed. I was still dressed, which was relieving in more ways than I can explain. I hedged my clouded brain for clues as to why I ended up here. All I could see was Jerry's face and nothing else. I turned white. I ran to the solitary door that faced the bed. The handle felt like ice in my hand. One fatal twist of the knob and I was confirmed my greatest fear. I was locked in a strange place where a sadistic vampire lurked on the other side.