AN UNWELCOME SURPRISE

Lights sparkle like stars on the walls.

Spots of color guide my journey.

Past closed doors, I walk,

my head lowered, my steps slow.

I feel my way along the walls,

the lights warm beneath my fingertips.

A cold wind hits the back of my neck.

I turn to the dark corridor before me.

Dark shadows twist into shapes,

and an arm beckons to me.

Heart pounding in a tempo

matching my chattering teeth,

I stand frozen against the wall.

A knob hits me in the back.

My arm reaches behind, and I twist the knob.

I step back into the room.

The door shuts in my face.

I turn around.

Water flows beneath my feet.

An azure sky surrounds me.

I walk forward.

The scene fades to black.

A brisk cold wind replaces the warmth.

In the distance walks a woman wearing

a yellow raincoat and black rubber boots.

She approaches me with an ax in one hand

and a black garbage bag in the other.

I back against the door, jiggling the knob.

Locked.

She stands before me and smiles.

I lift my eyes to eyes shimmering blood red.

“Would you like to fill this bag for me?”

She raises the empty black bag.

I swallow the lump in my throat

and shake my head.

Dots of lights shoot before my eyes.

The room swims.

I shut my eyes

and fall to the ground.