Drowning in Guilt

Darkness swirled around me, holding me prisoner. I screamed but no one could hear me, no one would come. A chilling laugh boomed around me, filling all my senses. Fear jabbed at my skin, like tiny prickling needles that stabbed at my entire body. I was alone.

A shadow stood above me, their face twisted in a look of pure rage and fury. Fear almost stopped my heart - Kainen.

His mouth moved, but all I heard was the whisper of wind through trees, the soft hum of the leaves as they rustled gently.

His whole face was covered in black, spider-like veins that spread across his skin. I wanted to look away, to run, but I couldn’t seem to move.

He lurched forward, his teeth bared, and hands outstretched to wring my neck. I accepted it gratefully, but as his cold fingers wrapped around my slender throat, I jerked awake and sat up.

My eyes opened and scanned the room. It was just a dream, or more like a nightmare.

I had pulled so far back on my be