NightScare

Before I can even comprehend what is happening, my legs are moving quicker than they ever have. It’s coming after me and
I need to escape. It can’t get me. My heart feels like it is pounding out of my chest, and I’m suddenly wishing I had kept
up with running after High School. I am sweating profusely — Behind my knees, my arms, the nape of my neck. Hell, the
salt from my sweat is burning my eyes. I can’t stop to wipe my brow, because if I do, it’s all over. It’s chasing me. I
can hear the footsteps following me. I can practically feel the breath on my neck. I’m trying to inhale and it’s so sharp
that I sound like I’m choking. The air I’m desperately pulling into my lungs is cold and makes my throat raw. It feels
as though I’m carrying weights on my chest, and I know I’ll need a break soon.

I can’t hear much now…Only the pounding of my own pulse in my ears. Is it still following me?

Risking it, I turn for a moment to check. It’s gone.

I slow my pace, and turn around so that I can see it when it reappears, if it reappears. Doubling over, I try desperately
to catch my breath. It isn’t coming easy. Overcome with exhaustion and emotion, I start to cry. This quickly presents
itself as a bad idea, since now I’m struggling even more to breathe. Trying to get myself together, I finally return to a
slightly higher-than-normal rate and sit in the dirt. I wipe my stinging eyes and run my hands over my face. Realizing
I’m out in the open, exposed, I crab walk backwards so that my back is pressed up against the nearest tree. I pray. I
pray that it doesn’t find me. I pray that it gave up on me and found something better to chase. I pray that someone finds
me soon. I’m not a religious person, but I pray until I can’t think of anything else to pray for.

When will they come for me?

When will I be safe?

I open my eyes and I’m snuggled up tight in bed. Sweat is dripping off of me and feels completely AWFUL in between me and
my fleece blanket. I roll over and rest my cheek on a cool pillow. What. The. Fuck. A nightmare? I only get nightmares
when I eat cold pizza before bed. This one felt different. My heart still racing, I stand up to get a glass of water and
try to shake off the anxiety of my bad dream.

I walk out to the kitchen and immediately am paralyzed with fear…

Standing there. Staring at me. The monster from my nightmare. He smiles with razor sharp teeth, nostrils flair, and I know
that this is the end.