There was only darkness around me.
I was trapped, with no way out. I struggled, throwing out my hands and running forward, desperate to escape. Unable to see, unable to feel anything, unable to even hear the terrified screams that left my mouth endlessly, I was lost, alone.
“Nooo!” I screamed as I woke up, a cold sweat breaking out on my forehead. Looking around at the familiar setting of my room, I let out a sad, tired sigh.
The terror of the dream was slow to leave me. My heart beat quickly in my chest, an uncomfortable pulsing in my neck. I wanted to scream, to cry, to throw things. Instead, I quietly held my head in my hands, shaking.
Every night. Every night for the past month I had been trapped in that terrible nightmare. The darkness, the loneliness, the emptiness. It was pure terror, gripping me tightly, unwilling to let me go. I was scared of the night, of falling asleep and having that nightmare again and again. I barely slept, exhausted, unable to function during the day, but every time I closed my eyes and saw the darkness, I would force myself awake. Tears seeped through my fingers as I realized the thing that terrified me the most:
Maybe one day, I wouldn’t wake up.
To be trapped there forever… I shuddered, unable to suppress the motion.
“Someone… please help me.” The words were whispered and choked by tears. There was no way anyone could hear me. There was no one to help me.
Suddenly, a bright light shone through my window.
What was going on? Concerned, I walked over to look out at the garden in my backyard. What I saw there, I couldn’t believe:
A creature, similar to a horse but so delicate that it seemed impossible to be real, stood amongst the flowers. It was made of moonlight and clouds, a soft glow surrounding it. I was entranced. What was it? How did it get here?
These thoughts swirled in my head, and as I was rooted to the spot in absentminded wonder, the creature turned, its majestic head looking up at me. Its eyes, bright like stars, seemed to see through me. The strangeness of it should have frightened me, but all I could feel was a sense of peace and comfort.
Moving through the window as if the glass didn’t exist, the creature was now only inches away, still staring at me intently. I reached out a trembling hand, and rested it on the creature’s forehead. It felt warm and soft, undeniably real. I let out a quiet chuckle.
Maybe I’ve finally gone crazy.
With all the nightmares, it was a depressingly real possibility. As if sensing my sadness at the thought, the creature nudged my hand. The motion was comforting, and I couldn’t help but smile.
“Even if I am crazy, I’m happy I got to see you.” I could only whisper, its presence was too awe-inspiring for me to talk normally. Its eyes shined with happiness, as it pushed me again, this time towards my bed. Somehow, I could feel its intentions.
“You want me to sleep?” It nodded at my question.
“But what about my nightmare?” My voice trembled with fear. Even with this miraculous creature standing in my bedroom, the terror of my dreams still clung to me. It only stared silently, letting out a small breath like a sigh.
“Okay. I trust you.” I laid down and closed my eyes, preparing to sleep. I was so tired that I knew it wouldn’t take long. As darkness began to take over, my eyes filled with tears. “Please don’t leave me alone.”
It leaned down, its star-like eyes focused solely on me, and watched. I knew it was there to protect me. Filled with a peaceful contentment, I drifted off to sleep.
I woke up the next morning to an empty room filled with sunshine. I never saw the nightmare or the creature again. But sometimes at night, as I fall asleep, I swear I can still feel its presence.
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