Briellyn

Her face is barely recognizable. It’s morphed into something much darker, more demonic. I don’t know this face. The wind beneath her sweeps her long dark locks straight up into the air yet I feel nothing. I’m panting, clearly afraid of the situation. My heart beats so fast and hard that I can feel it in my ears. I don’t know what to make of it though. Two men kneel before her. They mean something to me yet I can’t see their faces. Her long, dark claws dig into their shoulders on either side of her, keeping them subdued.

“Leave them alone,” I yell out to her, staring into the eyes of this creature that strikes a sense of fear and loss within me. The darkness inside her has consumed her entirely and there’s no humanity left within her.

“You get to choose who lives. Or if they both have to die. You can only choose one though, if you see it fit.” Her voice sounds serpent like and has a faint echo. The room around is so dark that it’s difficult to see much of anything.

“Why should I have to choose? Please just let them go.” I cry out, fear and worry dripping from each difficult word.

“One may live if we make a trade.” Her tone is delighted by her offer.

“Will you take me in their place?” I huff audibly. I’m willing to make the sacrifice for them both.

“Only one!” She hisses at me. “Would you give your second child in place of one of these men?” Her eyes grow darker, burning into me like a master branding his slave.

I nod my head yes.

“I need to hear it woman. Speak up!” Her words cause me to tremble, I can’t keep the hands that are at my sides still.

“Yes.” Tears begin to fall and the words are challenging to voice, “I would give my second child in one of their place.” It didn’t matter. I have no children.

“Well then, kill the one that you don’t want!” She screams out, pushing both men forward into the light.

“How can you make me choose? I love them both!” I cry out.

My eyes fly open as I stare into the dark abyss that is my bedroom. I lean up to glance at my phone. Three AM. My palm gently rubs my forehead. Will these dreams ever stop?

Admittedly, I haven’t had one in a while. Anxiety is through the roof because of business and when I’m stressed; my mind displays them in weird, violent vision. Sigh. Nothing I can’t handle. Nothing out of the norm.

I leave my bed and walk to the kitchen to grab a bottle of water. After a few sips, I lie back down and attempt to fall asleep again. Sometimes I wish I could just get away from it all. If only just for a little while.