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April 5, 2002

Epilogue


     It must've been 3 in the morning when I opened my eyes, and I haven't slept since. I didn't even try to lie back down, as the horrible images of my hellish nightmare were flooding my mind. It all seemed so real, and I couldn't help but wonder if it actually had happened...but as I leapt from slumber, grasping at my chest, I knew it couldn't have been real. The only problem was, I could not remember exactly what had happened.

     I took one look at the clock and shuddered. From the light flowing through the window, I wouldn't have thought it was so early. I peered outside, to find a pink sky filled with snowflakes. Just yesterday the ground was bare, except for the occasional remains of autumn. Now, I couldn't see ten feet past the glass. There must've been at least an inch on the ground already.

     I closed the blinds, pulled my wits together, and went to get something to eat. I brought a spoon up to my lips, but I just couldn't force myself to eat. I had this sickening feeling in my stomach, and my mind began to reel. I dropped the spoon, and suddenly it hit me. It was like a flashback, but it was there and gone again in an instant...


* * *

     "You keep on running, but sooner or later, you'll catch up with yourself."

     I wasn't sure where the voice had come from, but I knew what it meant. I could see a car approaching, and I knew who was in it. Something told me to let go, and I ran. The car slowed down and blasted its horn. I knew I couldn't stop now. I was red handed. It was ready. The chase was on. Maybe it was just my mind, or maybe this really was a dream, but before I knew it, we were face to face. No, not with who you think it was, this was someone else. The sun was rising, but it was still too dark to make out his face...his dark, menacing face. He was laughing at me, and his eyes flashed with fire as he stared deeply into my own fears. What was once mine is now his. He struck before I saw the familiar blade, killing the momentary loss of time. When I opened my eyes, he was gone, and shards of broken glass lay on the cold earth behind me. Above, a man, gurgling for air, his life quickly being drained away as he choked on it. There was nothing I could do but let the tears fall. Then, something tore me away...

* * *


     Someone behind me called out, "Bill? This is Dave. Just calling to let you know I got that shipment today. Maybe you can drop by and check it out next week. Catch ya later." Click. A little red dot on the answering machine began to blink.

     After disposing of my attempted meal, I just wanted to get these thoughts out of my mind. I wanted to call somebody, anybody, but instead, I found myself lying on the sofa. The TV flickered as I flipped through channel after channel. I just couldn't bring myself to focus. All I could think of was the way his face seemed to surround me as everything slowed down, fading away on the insides of my eyelids. There was a pain there, and although it was not mine, I could feel it. There was something else, though...not in the dream, but I felt it right at that moment. Something was not as it should be. It wasn't a pain, nor a sickness, not even a flash of thought, but a glimmer of hope. I realized that it was not what had happened that was bothering me, but it was something that had yet to happen. Another jolt of sickness overwhelmed me, and I ran to the bathroom, making it just in time.

     I managed to make the least of my time. I think the most exciting thing that had happened all morning was finding a new stain on the ceiling. I left the TV off, and my mind seemed to be clear. I still felt horrible, though. As I grew weary, sleep began to take over, and I reluctantly let it in. There was nothing else I could do, but lie back and watch the show...


* * *

     I knew he was still out there. I knew he was waiting for me. He was trying to kill me, slowly but surely. It had been at least a day since our last encounter, and suddenly horror shook me. The journal was gone. I had left it at the cabin. I already knew what had to be done. Whether this was the end or not, I had to take the chance. It was dark, but I could see a dim light in the distance. I stood still for a moment, and watched, as this man smashed another one of the windows of the car. Then, I noticed something further beyond the vehicle. It was him. Fire leapt from his hands as he drew closer. I stepped back, and the man heard me. He turned around to face me, and I tried to warn him, but nothing came from my throat. He yelped, and seconds later, fell to the ground. I tried to run, as this demonic figure lurked closer, but I was paralyzed. He lifted his arm again, but this time, when I opened my eyes, he was still there, surrounding me. I felt dizzy as the warm blood poured from my chest. I tried to gasp...

* * *


     It was 5 p.m. I was still a bit shaky, but I didn't feel as sick as I had before. Tomorrow was Christmas day, and I never realized before how good it felt to be alive. Everything was so clear, it startled me at first. My grandfather's eyes gazed down on me from the photograph on the wall. I stared at him, and for once in my life, I think I actually smiled back. The telephone rang. I got up, and felt the soft carpet between my toes, as I took each careful step. The answering machine beat me.

     "Hello, Bill? Are you there? Well, I hope you're back later. I just called to tell you that we're at the airport now, and we'll be home in about an hour. Love you--" I quickly picked up the receiver.

     "Mom, wait..."