Nighttime Sea

You shudder as the cool winter wind dances around you, nipping at your bloody exposed kneecaps. Your ankles had disappeared in the snow. You stare into the pure white abyss, your eyelids drooping. As you clutch the thin woolen sweater around you, you feel yourself falling into the inescapable flare of light-reflecting snow.

You jolt up in bed. You examine your knees, and your ankles. They are undamaged. You sigh, rubbing your eyes tiredly. It was time for you to take a walk.

It was 1:13am, and the summer moon hung gently over the ocean. You took a deep breath, your lungs expanding as you took in the scent of sea foam. Barefoot, you walked timidly toward the dock. You look into the dark, silvery water, seeing your own sleepy reflection. You loose track of your breathing.

There is another face. This face is distorted and unlike anything you had ever seen. It shimmers under the nighttime sea. You reach down into the water, your breath quivering.

He smiles.