The environment around Damien seems to warp for a few seconds before refocusing. The surface of the ground wavers, reflecting like water. The reflection rises, soaking Damien's feet and traveling halfway up his calves. Two red claws grab onto his ankles and begin slowly pulling him downward, sinking.
Damien’s brows furrows and he freezes in his steps. Something was off just now. His eyes darted from side to side as everything became reflective. He could feel the cold wetness creep up his legs, into his shoes, and he let out a shout as he began to sink.
“No! Noooo!”
A muffled and distorted childish laughter had sounded. The claws that dug into Damien’s ankles continued to pull him down at a steady rate, making the water rise up, reaching to his knees, and creeping higher still. Wherever he was sinking into was dark, like a hole in the ground that led to an abyss.
Damien flails about trying to climb out, but the water only gets higher and higher. Soon it is at his waist and he has no choice but to fall over. He whimpers, head in the air as if he is clinging to precious oxygen. Beneath the black water, his chest is hyperventilating.
The water keeps rising, only slowing once it has reached Damien’s jaw, as if taunting him, dragging out his misery as long as it possibly can.
The water in front of Damien wavers, a form rising up and towering over him.
Damien’s lips are trembling. His heart racing in his head. He watches the figure rise, mentally begging someone to save him. “Who’s there? Whoever you are, please help me out of here.”
The form came into focus. It was a mirror image of Damien, flashing a smile full of sharp teeth, his eyes glowing green in the shadows. Ever so briefly were a pair of antlers visible on his head, but they faded out like an after-image that burned into one's eyes.
"Sure, I'll help you."
His hand slammed down on Damien's head, pushing him further down.
"I'll be taking over for you, don't worry!"
The mirror image held Damien down until he lost consciousness.
