The Night Thing Comes

I can feel the dark emptiness spreading in every direction... Like an overturned inkwell... a dark and hungry blot consuming my dreams.

The feeling is all too familiar but I am powerless... unable to escape my slumber. My eyes are useless in the void. But I know its close. I can feel its presence inches from my body... It robs me of warmth...

I stand there in the darkness waiting for the night thing to make its move. My heart pounds in my skull.. faster and faster. My breath quickens..  I know its there.. deadly cold and lifeless. I try to stay calm... But I am overcome with fear. If I can control my shivering... if I can just be still... Maybe it will move on.

Can I see it? Are my eyes closed? Are they open? My teeth are chattering.  It knows I'm here. The night thing moves. I panic. A deafening boom. Metal on metal... It reverberates in my chest.

Grinding, roaring, clanking, it thunders... Its immense... terrifying and so close I could touch it with the slightest movement... Louder and faster... Its so loud I'm afraid the sound alone will tear me apart...

I pray for it to end. I know it will but how long will it last..? how long have I been here? I'm going mad. I can't take it anymore. My scream is lost in the night things metallic roar.

And I am awake. I scream for a moment before the realization that I'm free sets in. My clothes are soaking wet... my heart is still racing and I struggle to catch my breath. But I'm okay... I'm awake. Tonight I will sleep no more. The night thing is on the hunt.