Known

You will call me a liar, but the truth is often stranger than what you might expect. The experience for me was a first. One that left an indelible mark.

In my dream, I am being chased. Though the day is s warm and the sun shines brightly, terror envelopes me to the point of distraction. My mental state can only register the chase.

I run. My breaths expel in rasps. Pain stabs at my side. Sweat blinds.

Reaching the corner, I look over my shoulder to see a shadow fast approaching, but am I just seeing things? Are my tears distorting the person chasing me?

At the corner, I turn to the avenue and race uphill only to trip on a wooden beam left behind from a construction site long gone. My hands hurt as I brace myself from slamming my face on the concrete. I'm abruptly turned onto my back.

The shadow's weight is on my legs. It grabs my hands and pins them with its knees. Then its hands wrap around my neck and it begins to squeeze.

I'm choking; unable to catch my breath. Struggling, but unable to get free. Kicking the floor, but the concrete causes my heels to bounce.

I realize that my eyes are closed. Desperately needing to find a way to escape, I open them to find myself in my bed. Willie's dusty blonde kinks are buried between my legs. I'm being siphoned.