Nightmare

I remember the night��
The building was dark,
A museum of sorts.
It was peaceful there.
But, as I walked up and down those vacant halls,
Something was just not right.

It started as a feeling,
Deep down inside.
It grew.
Something was watching��
Waiting��
Stalking��.

Through the deep piercing shadow of shadows,
A man,
A man searching for me.
Invisible,
But ever present.
The cloaked man of deepest dark,
Elusive,
Eternally watchful.

Peaceful no more,
I ran.
Up the stairs.
Up, up, up,
To the top of the flight,
To the top floor.
Looking down the dim hall,
Again nothing but dark,
But he IS there.
Somewhere in wait,
For me.

Deep down I felt him step,
In the dark as I go on,
Faster than before.
Up, up, up.
The footsteps,
Thunderous treads on my soul,
Now louder than ever before.

Stop!
The highest level,
Nowhere to run.
I could go no further.
The man still in pursuit,
I entered the door,
Closing it behind,
Locking it in vain.
As though one could keep him out,

I ran to the open window,
Peered out into the moonless sky,
Nothing.

The footsteps cease,
And fear gripped my heart.
Back into the room I stared,
Now face to face with the man.
The image becomes unclear,
My heart skips a beat,
His thin, pointed, pale nose,
Inches from my own.
Piercing eyes entering my own,
Bearing down��

I turned back to the window,
And leapt.
Down, down, down,
Into forever lasting darkness.

Adapted from: "After-hours" by myself

Copyright "As You Like It: As Seen on TV (Special Edition)" 2005.