Mr. Misty-Eyed | Josh Dun

dream sequence | six

The impact of my back colliding with an unbreakable surface was nothing I could ever prepare myself for. A loud cry left my lips as my entire body convulsed in pain, my head rocking back until it too hit the ground just as hard. My vision blurred from the unexpected blow, my head lulling to one side. I couldn't breathe as the wind had been completely knocked out of me and I couldn't move from the incredible pain that coursed through my limbs.

The icy tundra around me went in and out of focus and before I could fully take in my surroundings the shadow I was so fearful of jumped into view, it's devilish laughter filling my ears before blanketing me in darkness.

Finally gaining some mobility I began the thrash my arms around, my hands reaching and grabbing at the darkness around me in hopes of finding something. My head ached as my eyes stayed clamped shut, still not willing to let my fear take hold of me. But it was too late for that now, I was terrified and as a haunting laughter sliced through the silence that surrounded me, my eyes shot open in panic.

There was nothing. I couldn't see anything and if that wasn't scary enough it sounded as though my shadows laughter was closing in on me. Tears stung my eyes, but I held them back, cupping my hands over my ears to muffle the horrible noise. I crumpled into myself and in that moment I felt the gravity around me dissipate.

I hung there, floating in the nothingness I could only assume was the depths of my shadow. Was this my fate? To become so consumed by my own fears that even the thought of stepping outside would cause panic. This couldn't be it.

Gravity took over once again and I dropped to the hard ground below, hunching over immediately as I choked on the water that I hadn't realized had been filling my lungs. Was I just too used to the feeling now? The ache in the back of my head grew as I pushed my forehead further against to cold ground. The pressure on my brain increased and my lips parted in a silent yell.

My vision was spotty as I opened my eyes. I was dizzy and the pain that ran up through my spine and into my head was only getting worse. The laughter returned and again I covered my ears, hoping my own scream would mask the sound.

I coughed up more water as I gasped for air. My eyes opened wide and I sat back on my knees far enough that I could stare up into the black sky. I didn't want to be like this anymore, but I didn't know how to help myself.

I let out yet another gasp as I fell back against the ground, a white speck that I had thought was from my blurry vision grew and I realized that the darkness around me was starting to fade. The freezing temperature below me became less and less as the warmth from the light got closer with each passing second. The feeling was so foreign, but its warm touch had me embracing it without question.

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