This Endless Nightmare

by, Cassandra

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A dream within a dream, or so it seemed. She couldn’t tell you for sure, but she could almost swear that she’d woken from this before. Paralyzed, with tears and fears and so many long lost years. Yet, no one’s there to care. No one’s ever there to share her burden, which grows heavier with each and every step. And each day she weaves another lie to convince herself that it’s worth opening her eyes.

Last night, that all changed, for the fear she felt was unlike anything that came before. The world seemed to shake from its very core, and the thunder was louder then she’d ever heard before. Lightening hit the same place twice and she could feel the sparks burning their way into her heart. This storm was too close for comfort, too close for escape.

As if a storm which originated from her very soul wasn’t bad enough, she suddenly froze, for she heard the strangest sound. Silence. Sheer, unbroken, but still utterly tainted by the arctic gaze she felt upon her back. A strangled sound escaped her throat as she turned, confirming what she feared all along. No one was there.

But the rough touch she felt upon her neck felt as genuine as the tears that spilled down her cheeks. The hands that pushed, that made her blood run cold, seemed as real as the painful beating of her broken heart. The phantom caresses that made her cry in agony were more then just figments of her imagination. At least, they were to her.

And as she struggled against the brutal clutch, she attempted to cry out for help. But terror, who had found itself a home, lodged deep within her throat, swallowed her aborted scream, and sadistically laughed in glee at the vision she presented. She shuddered under the harsh sound, her spirit fading as each repulsive moment slowly passed.

And just when she thought she couldn’t take anymore, her salvation reached out in the form of her alarm clock. And when she finally found the strength, the will to move, she reached up and touched her drying tears. And she couldn’t help but wonder when the dreams would lose their hold and finally give her some peace of mind.

And just as she began to rise to meet another endless day, another roll of thunder breaks.