Morning

The storm rages on as I fall asleep.

At some point, the sound of the wind on the window becomes the sound of breathing.

At some point, the sound of the rain becomes a heartbeat.

I'm standing in an ornate hallway I don't recognize.

But I know this place.

This place...

No...

Where have I been?

This is a place I've never known.

This must be...

Dreaming?

Voices drift up from behind me. They echo as if from far away.

I look over my shoulder, but I don't see anyone.

The voices are too distant for me to understand any words.

In the distance ahead of me is a figure.

I can't make out what its shape is, just...

Something.

Moving.

Alive.

In the distance.

Waiting for me.

I swallow and take a hesitant step forward, and then another, and another, slowly walking toward the thing.

...I know I'm dreaming.

But...it...feels like reality.

It feels so real.