A Dark Room


I stood alone in the cold, empty room as the door slowly creaked open, revealing the smallest sliver of light. My entire body froze in place, and my heart pounded through my chest. Adrenaline coursed through my veins. The door was being pushed open from the other side painstakingly slow.
I wished the door would just fly wide open, so I could have knowledge of what was on the other side. Then, at least I would be able to size up the danger of the situation and form a logical plan. But instead, the door continued the creep open with the wholeheartedness of a snail.
Many times before, I’ve heard people talk about how the human mind is more terrified of the unknown than anything else. I was only beginning to realize the truth of the statement.
A black figure appeared on the other side of the door. I was surrounded by darkness, the only light was spilling in from around the mysterious figure’s body. My eyes squinted at the blinding lights. The figure could now be distinguished as a tall, brooding man. He muttered something unintelligible. Step by step, I backed away from the man.
“Where do you think you are going?” he asked with a thick accent.
I stumbled over my feet and fell backward into a pile of clutter. “What are you doing?” he asked me condescendingly.
“Where am I?” my voice betrayed me by breaking mid-sentence. “I don’t belong here,” I said with more confidence this time. My feet found the ground again, and I was able to stand.
“Of course you belong here,” he said as he creeped closer to me.
“What do you mean?” I yelled at him.
“You are right where you are supposed to be,” he told me as a wide grin spread across his face.
“Get away from me!” I considered trying to knock him out, but his size and stature made it seem close to impossible.
“Don’t worry,” he began to laugh an evil sounding, deep belly chuckle.
Just as the man was reaching out to grab me, I woke up.