Dream

I am terrified. I know they know. They are coming. I can hear them. Where can I hide? They are here to punish me. My heart is racing. My skin is sweaty. My vision is blurry. I am trapped.

The bathroom. In the bathtub. The shower curtain pulled closed. Lay down. Don't breathe. Don't move. Lie still. They are coming. I hear them. They are here to punish me.

I'll change. I'll be what they want. It will be easy. Just pretend. That's all. Bury yourself. Close yourself off. Put you aside. Lock you away.

There's someone else here. A child. Where did this child come from? I must protect this child. Push the child behind me. Don't move. Don't breath. Lie still child. Pretend you're not here. They will find you. They are coming. I hear them. They are here to punish you.

I will distract them. You will run. Run as fast as you can. Don't look back. Run away.

I jump out. I spread my arms. I scream. I make the funniest face. I see myself in a mirror. It is not me. I stand, arms spread, face contorted. Where is the child? The child is gone.

I run out of the bathroom. They are there. They look surprised. I run past them. They step aside. I run out of the house. I turn back. There is no one. I am not there. I was never there. The child was never there.

I wake up.