The Witching Hour

My world transformed in one motion, like the turning of a page. I looked ahead to see snow capped trees surrounding a lake reflecting a shimmering, blood moon. An iridescent crowd strolled on a sleek, golden metal bridge arched over trees high above. And as the street lights flickered incessantly -- I stood, still. Peaceful, yet terrified. I wanted to jump into the calm of the lake just to cause frequency. I wanted to feel its chill as I imagined myself jumping with glee, but my enthusiasm was misplaced. The night sky turned into a maze, illuminating a narrow path. It waited for me, laughing at me, challenging me. Cradling me. My skin crawled with fear akin to a skinned goose. Suddenly, our long windows stretched far beyond my reach, clacking and shattering violently against the wall.

It felt as if someone was lurking in the shadows in the distance, drinking the drops of my fear. As I slowly moved away, the wind pushed my body against the balcony and I hung there, halfway plummeting to my death. My eyes shut tight as my white-knuckled hands gripped the rail. I couldn’t breathe and my face progressively turned purple, as if I was keeping my soul from escaping my body.

I finally peeled my heavy eyes open despite the whipping wind, and saw two people in the lake, dancing. The water flailed around them and their laughter filled the air with sinister music. They danced and they kissed, and they were…naked. I fell into a trance as their lullabies weaved through the air innocently. Involuntarily, my grip loosened as my body fell backward onto the ground.