They Lurk in My Dreams

I wake up

I am cold

I am alone

The ground beneath me begins to breathe

I pull myself to my feet and I run

I feel hands reaching out to touch me from the darkness

Their claws tear at my flesh

I swear I feel blood trickling down my arm

But when I reach over to touch it, there's nothing there

Screams echo through my ears

The sound grows louder

Utterly deafening

I fall to the ground and cover my ears

But it doesn't stop

The screams... they're in my head

Then suddenly they stop

Piercing silence

I open my eyes

Then feel myself yanked up by my hair

A shadow, with a face I cannot recognize

A low growl comes from it

I feel a single tear fall from my eyes

Just as it's about to hit the ground

My eyes fly open

I am alone in my bed

I'm safe... for now

My demons only visit when my eyes are closed