I stepped lightly

   across the empty field

   nothing but black ashes

   swept the ground;

   burned trees all around.

I looked around

   for a single light,

   but nothing could be seen.

Then all a sudden,

   the ashes swirled

   and fire rose up.

How could he be here;

   not here,

   not now.

I turn to run

   before his eyes reach mine,

   but I was too slow.

One,

   two,

   three.

Three strings

   whipped and tied around

   my neck.

I grasp the strings

   to keep breath

   passing through my throat,

   but they kept tight and burned

   the surface of my skin.

More strings

   bind around my wrists

   and whip me around to see

   my fears.

His eyes blood red;

   the kind of red that burned

   of the sins of the world.

Wings outstretched from his back,

   and invited the shadows

   to join his side.

His mouth widened

   into an eerie smirk,

   and curled at the edges.

Tears and screams

   were all I could do

   as he yanked me towards him.

I felt empty

   as fear was all that accompanied me.

The darkness stripped me bare

   of all the securities I had left.

I mustered all strength

   that I could give;

   kicking, screaming,

   whipping my body away from him,

   but all was just a waste.

I could not break free,

   not from this nightmare

   and not from him.

All I could do

   was watch as he outstretched

   his clawed hand,

   and laugh at my agony.

Someone,

   anyone,

   release me from

   my nightmares.