i lay back on a bed of embers, levitating from the ground, waiting for him, peacefully. the aroma of chamomile and daisies caught my breath; i watched gingerly as light reflected off the clear glass walls. a smile parted my lips knowing this was some sort of alternate reality, relishing in my euphoric lucidity. i knew all the answers, didn't i? i kept my cool.

his figure emerged from the glare of the footlights, a sculpted body that seemed to flow with nature - with fire and water at the same time. light flickered on his face as he passed; luscious full lips, thick lashes shading wide ultramarine eyes to the world. so bright they shone through unimaginable distances, like stars across the universe. even farther, through the voids of existance.

then his kiss was my reawakening; citrus on the tips of my tongue, a hurricane rushing through me, suffocating me. rainbow colored butterflies fluttered out the hollow of my mouth, from my deepest depths. i was Sleeping Beauty in all my glory as i was drawn away with my cascading hair set in flames, dripping fiery cocoons that cracked into flame-creatures, soaring away before they hit the ground. i smelled perfume on his body like the ocean and yet so foreign in a nauseous wave, as he pulled on the gothic sleeves of my dress. moth wings and petals scattered to the air from the rips.

"come on," he said, his thunderous voice commanding and craving amusement, anticipating so much more than could be thought possible, "let me show you what death is all about."