The Red Glow

It was a cold winter evening. Iris had just finished work when it started snowing. She looked outside the window, admiring the view, while wearing her coat

_You're leaving? Came a voice from behind her

She turned her slender neck to look at the source; it was Noah her co-worker

_Yeah... I'll see on Monday, she said

"Okay, take care" was the last thing she heard before pushing the glass door and exiting the shop. She looked up to the sky, a blush decorating her cheeks. It was mesmerizing. The first snow of the year always seemed prettier than any other. She fluttered her long eyelashes now embellished with small white flecks.

She started walking at a slow but steady pace, she would occasionally glance up. Something about the snow made her light-headed

_I'm probably getting a fever, she thought

Yet she was enjoying the weather. She raised her head one more time but unlike other times, her stare lingered

_Weird thing, its not yet time for a full moon, she mused

She then continued walking, in the dimly lit deserted street, but she then came to a stop when she noticed a dark figure approaching from afar. Something about it gave her goosebumps. She let out a relieved sigh when the street light illuminated the frame

_Just the garbage collector.

She never resumed her stroll thought, she just stood there as still as a marble statue, imaginary hands holding her in place, she could feel there pressure on her ankles. The old man was now mere inches from her

_What is a lovely little lady doing in such place in this late hour, the raspy voice of the man came

_uhh... she stuttered fear showing in her eyes for no apparent reason. She wanted to run away from this man get as far as possible. The dark aura surrounding him frightened her.

A heavy silence settled upon them. Not once the man looked up at her. Iris broke the silence first by clearing her throat

_I'm ... just... going home, her voice came out as a faint shaky whisper

The man then shot up his head violently making it crack painfully in the process. Iris winced at the action. His eyes were closed. She heard a rustle from the side, her head snapped to pinpoint its origin. She saw nothing, her heart was now beating furiously. She slowly brought her gaze upon the man. A sharp scream tore down from her throat. The man's eyes... they were... empty.

_Now, now no need to make a fuse, he chuckled sadistically

The place was suddenly tainted red, the man disappeared, Iris looked at the currently blood-tainted moon, she tore her eyes from the natural satellite to look upon the floor. It was cracking.

_No, no, no, she repeated frantically like a maniac

The ground blasted into a huge lava-like pool, it was a fuming hot-red. Iris could feel herself slowly sinking no longer maintaining balance. She struggled to remain on the surface. But in vain. The pain was too much to bare, she was slowly dissolving with nothing to grab onto. She knew that she was long gone. Suddenly, everything went dark, Iris sealed her eyes closed tightly

_No, please I don't want to die!! She shouted from the top of her lungs

The lights came back as if they never went off. The scenery was different. She was in some sort of a cave. She looked up, her eyes widened. Dark creatures with long spiked wings, some were crouched down on rock peaks and some were flying. They all had the same wicked smirk on their faces. Then came a piercing loud scream. She brought her hands to her ears desperately trying to shield them. Much to her dismay, she never managed. She felt sharp pain shot from her arm she averted her gaze to her side. There it was laying lifeless beside her. Blood started oozing slowly until it slowly evolved to a heavy flow. Iris shouted uncontrollably. The old man then reappeared out of nowhere

_Ready to make up for your sins, he asked sarcastically

_No, no, please, have mercy on my soul, she cried weakly before falling limply

An evil laugh erupted from the man

_Mercy? There is no such a thing in Hell he declared

Iris jerked up. She looked around with wide eyes, petrified. Cold sweat was running down her face, giving away a ticklish feeling. She relaxed when she noticed her surroundings.

_It was just a dream, she breathed out

She was laying in bed, still fully dressed, in her ever-familiar room. "Haha" came an echo. Iris froze then slowly turned her head to the room's only access

_You really thought it was over? A voice questioned