Night Terrors

It's only a dream. Or is it? A two - minute story

Bangkit Prayogi on Unsplash.com ( edited )

She trails her fingers along the slimy wall trying to keep her balance in the dark. The passage is narrow and low — too low to stand.  She slides her feet cautious on the wet, uneven surface, afraid of stumbling or cracking her head on a jut of stone. 

The stench of the air causes acid to rise in her throat. She breathes shallow. Nameless filth smears her face, broken fingernails bleed and sting from scrabbling through gravel, clambering over mud and rock. She bites her lip now to stay alert, the copper taste of blood is on her tongue.

Her hair is matted and tangled. It falls across her eyes, webs of hidden spiders brush her cheek. She wipes at them with the back of her hand. Where is the Breach — how much farther? A voice in her head repeats, Run, run, move your feet or be killed.

Somewhere behind her, a scurry of small beasts with tiny sharp teeth and needle-like claws.  She hears the drip, drip, dripping and the sucking sound of her shoes sinking and lifting in sludge.

Suddenly, a rank, hot breath is on the back of her neck and crooked fingers reach out to grab.  She screeches and turns, arms flailing out to defend herself. She kicks and writhes, she strikes and bites, and with a terrifying shriek she is set free.

Tumbling out into the daylight, she rests behind a lichened stone, a stone crawling with red beetles.  A lizard, frozen in place, clings to a crevice next to her ear, his dull eyes un-blinking. She drinks in the clean air and listens.  Nothing. Bones aching, muscles quivering with exhaustion, her pulse slows. She has outrun it once again. 

Though tears of relief drip down her face, she knows this living nightmare will come back again tonight. It always does.

Bryce Evans on Unsplash.com ( edited )

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Eeuw! Sorry, but we’ve all been there one time or another. Or is it just me?

Sharron Bassano 2024