Waking Nightmare

You've died, sweets.

Don't look at me like that, it's not my fault I killed you. You had to wake up, didn't you? Now see where we are, see how silly your body looks flopped halfway off the bed, the mess you made?

What's important is that you are mine now. I've got to look after you now, well, what is left of you. And by you, I don't mean the fleshy bits, that's not you anymore, so stop trying to get back in, that won't work. You can join the others I've picked up over the years, it's been a while since we've added another member to our troupe.

Me? Well, I'm not too hot on titles, but I've been around for a long time delivering what you call "nightmares," and I was giving you a good one too, maybe too good.

I have visited you before and this never happened. I move through shadows, slide through the darkest corners, no doors can keep me out. I crept in here and you had no idea, you were so cute sleeping. Do you know you snore?

I moved over you on the bed, planting one hand on the mattress and raising up the other to strike. My fingers creaked and grew into long, thin claws, like needles. I pushed them into the back of your head, past your hair, skin, and bone. With my claws I injected the nightmare into your sleeping mind. The shiver you gave was so delicious and your body twitched and jerked as it took hold.

I caressed the side of your face with my long tongue as I tasted your fear, your discomfort. One must take the simple pleasures when doing a job, and that part never gets old for me.

You startled me, bolting up like that, my hand still in the back of your head. Your forehead connected with my teeth, splitting the skin, hence the blood on your body's brow. I bit down on my tongue at the impact, and that hurt most. You were screaming but no sound came out, it was like you forgot how to scream. You tangled up in the sheets as you thrashed about, straining my wrist where I had to rip my hand away. But you were already in a waking nightmare at that point.

You were like a scared animal, striking me and trying to get away. Nobody hits me, not ever! I wanted to get away from you as much as you did me!

You rose up on your knees, grabbing at your arm like it was attacking you. That was when you did really scream, though briefly. You fell and you tried to catch yourself, knocking over the side table, spilling your water, cracking your phone.

I stared at you for a good while, I think it was in shock. Like what the hell just happened? It seemed funny, and I admit I laughed, and I'm sorry. You and I are going to be together for a long time now and I don't want you to be mad at me.

Now we've been here long enough. Let's take you back to the others so I can finish my rounds. I know we've come off on a rough start but there is nothing for you here now. I don't want to leave you to watch the changes to your old body, to be stuck here alone until you fade. What do you want? Will you stay or take my hand?