Mr. Misty-Eyed | Josh Dun

dream sequence | twenty-four

Light seeped in through the cracks in the walls, the wood paneling old and rotted out in some places. Snow littered the ground, climbing up the walls in some place to create tiny drifts. The light that came in through the splintered holes cast streams of angelic light across the pure white snow, making it glow, and from where I stood it looked almost tranquil.

My eyes search the space while shadows of all sizes loomed in the corners of the room. I watched each carefully, wondering if mine would come to life inside one.

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths, clearing my mind of the thoughts of my shadow. Maybe if I didn't think of him, he wouldn't show up. My body tensed and my eyes opened wide just as quickly as they closed to a sound that instantly compelled me to run.

It was a growl, a sound that could only be made deep in the back of ones throat. A treacherous noise that warned me that the entity wasn't afraid to kill. I shuddered as the growl turned into a snarl and I pressed my back up against the closest wall, my eyes darting around the dark room in search of an exit.

The four walls that enclosed me showed no escape and at the sound of snow crunching under heavy feet, I turned to my left and stared blankly at the corner of the room. The seemingly inanimate shadow began to grow, stretching up the wall and onto the ceiling. Limbs like branches broke off from each side of the black mass as they wound their way around the entire room.

It became pitch black, the only light coming in through the cracks of the wall I was still pressed against. I stared up at the shadow as it stared back, threatening me with that deep growl once again.

I squeezed my eyes shut and huddled into myself, my breathing unhinged as I tried to calm my irregular heartbeat. "Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid."

My jaw was set and as I finally came to terms with the shadow in the room, I opened my eyes as determination and adrenaline coursed through me.

A quick breath escaped my lungs as I searched the now empty space. The light that came in through the splintered holes cast streams of angelic light across the pure white snow, making it glow, and from where I stood it looked almost tranquil.

I was alone.

My body went rigid as a gust of wind shook the four walls that surrounded me and my heart jumped into my throat at the soft whisper that came with it.

"Be afraid."

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