Short Stories

Strange Dreams

     I looked around. I was standing in a ring, an arena almost. There were intricate designs on the brick and stands as tall as skyscrapers. I knew where I was. I was at the platform on front of the Judges. As I stood there, people slowly started to fill in. They were dressed in either black or white. Black for Hell and White for Heaven. Soon, the place quieted and a platform rose from the ground, fog surrounding it. There were three creatures; one dressed in black (my left), another in in white (my right), and finally one in grey (in front of me). 

     "Do you know why you're here?" The one in grey asked.

     "Yes." My deep voice echoed through the sparse room. "I had been maligning the King." Pause. "But he deserved it! He killed my wife and children!" I screamed. I was about to speak again, but was cut off.

     "Enough! I'm done listening to you impoverished, doleful little creatures!" It boomed.

     The others nodded, making their decision. Incessant noise from the audience as I stood there, waiting to hear the verdict. Soon, two guards walked up to me, holding a sterling, golden chain, one that couldn't be broken by anything. The thing came over, its face warped beyond recognition. It tied the rope around my wrist, hampering me from doing anything. 

     They pulled out a silver pole, white at the bottom from heat. They kicked me in the back of my knees and I fell. It lifted the pole and laid it on the back of my neck. My agonized scream reverberated through the room. The Judge dressed in black flew in front of me and grabbed me by the neck, digging his fingers in where I has been burnt.

     "You are branded." His monotone voice said.

    Soon I was falling. Falling to somewhere. I jumped up, sweat dripping from my forehead. My legs were tangled in the sheets making it hard for me to get up. As soon as I did, I ran to my bathroom, looking at the back of my neck. A giant cursive 'H' was branded on me.

     It wasn't a dream. I thought. I started to panic. What was happening to me?

     "Hope you like it." A voice said. I looked around the dark room. Nothing. "I'll see you soon."

     This has happened every night for 5 years. My sanity was dwindling and I knew what I had to do. I picked up the Desert Eagle that I had bought, loaded the magazine, and ended it.

     Or so I thought.