The Omniscient Nightmare || Drabble
The detective glanced once more at his wife, collecting his thoughts over what had happened between them the last few days before his head met with his pillow. The softness was enough to draw his eyelids down like shades, and all he saw was blackness...
However, the latest events, to which Hans felt particular guilt towards, manifested a new series of nightmares. His adultery had wracked his nerves and his conscious with a guilt he could not repent. Though, on one hand, he did not regret it. He loved that woman. But he also loved his wife and his family. The guilt, and his perpetual conundrum left him with nowhere else to go, except further down in the depths of his nightmare.
It started just as it had long ago. He walked through the empty hallway of his old home. The walls were dilapidated and weathered. The few pictures hung askew, while other frames were empty of any photos. Only one door was closed, with a small light emanating from beneath the crack of the door. He felt, for some involuntary reason, that he needed to open this door.
His steps were light, as if he were floating, but he knew he was stepping because the floorboards beneath him creaked. Hans' hand rested gently against the doorknob, fearing what he would find. He bit his bottom lip harshly before turning the knob and opening the door.
What Hans would usually find in a nightmare such as this, was his mother. She'd be turning away and not at all aware of his presence. His father would be close by, holding the knife that he had used to scar Hans' chin. This was enough to rouse him. Though, this nightmare had a new twist.
In the rocking chair was not his mother, whom he had expected. Instead, sat his wife. Mars was holding a small child, a baby who looked to have just been born, not yet a day. Over Mars was not his father, nor was it himself. It was Johann Schmidt. The Red Skull hung over Mars gently, his arms draped around her shoulders, viewing admiringly at his son. Mars' smile was sweet, and her lips glistened in the small glow coming from the window beside them. Johann called the boy Klaus.
Hans desperately yelled towards Mars, hoping she'd catch the sound of his voice, but she could not hear. They were both none the wiser. All but Klaus, who turned his small head with eyes glowing as blue as Johann's. The boy looked directly at Hans, who fell to his knees, not even capable to crawl to them, as it felt that an invisible shield had blocked him from their happiness.
Finally, the detective woke in a violent sweat. He turned to see Mars, still sleeping peacefully.
