Prologue

I fell, twisting as I dropped down, down through shimmering waves of colour. Vibrant purples, intense yellows and brilliant blues burst painfully against my eyes as I tumbled into the darkness below.

Landing with a soft thud, I pushed myself onto all fours, panting. A low clicking made me leap to my feet, spinning around. Emptiness glared back menacingly.

All around me a carnival of colours whirled sickeningly. To my left, the tapping sound came again, but closer than before. A large, spindly shadow cast itself across the floor, the clicking speeding up.

With a jolt, I realised what it was. And it was still advancing.

I lurched away, staggering through the kaleidoscope spinning across my vision. Low growls erupted from the shadows behind me, and I sped up, heedless of direction.

I ran faster, sprinting through nauseating shades of green, orange and pink. My head reeled, clouded by the swirling shades in front of my eyes.

Skidding to a halt, my hair whipped about my face as I glanced around. High, black walls blocked my every turn and those things were right behind me.

I was lost, trapped in a maze of burning colour. Screeching and roaring ripped through the air. They were going to get me...rip me to pieces...and there was nowhere left to run.

They surrounded me, claws raking along my back, teeth gnashing inches from my neck, eyes glinting angrily at me from unseen horrors. They pounced, diving for the kill.

I screamed...

...and sat bolt upright into consciousness.