Deja Vú • Part 1

Shrill screams broke out in the air, sending terrified birds cawing and rapidly scuttling upward amidst the rustling branches of great oaks. Down on the earthly floor, a mud encrusted shoe slashed through a dirty puddle of water. A scale covered tail snaked behind the small figure running for it's life. It was Cody.

Cody desperately gasped for breath, his lungs aching. His legs felt stiff and heavy with pain, but he pushed on despite it. Another screech exploded behind him, encouraging him to run faster. He weaved his way around shrubs and through the trees. He startled a ptarmigan perched next to a blackberry bush and he shoved himself past the undergrowth.

Cody choked as he gasped for air. His tears were salty as they drizzled into his mouth. He cried, and he allowed himself to cry. There was no point in stopping himself. He was petrified, as all would be petrified in the moments being chased by a monsterous unidentified thing.

Cody's pace began to slacken. He had been running for what seemed like an eternity. The thing chasing him bellowed another cry. Cody let out a wail.

"LEAVE ME ALONE!!!" he screamed. The forest seemed never ending. Where was the highway?

As Cody tried to turn tail and flee through another route, his foot got caught on a bramble tendril. Within a matter of seconds, the thing was upon him. The thing had a distorted black face with pools of white for it's eyes. It had a wide, horrifying grin plastered on its face. Its melted hands clamped down around his neck, jagged claws digging into his skin. As sharp teeth sank into his throat, his eyes shot open and he sat up with a jerk. He was drenched in sweat, an ocean of tears raining from his eyes. A small, thin wailing escaped his quivering lips as he realized it was all a dream. The crying grew louder as what he had experienced sank in.

Esteban, who came rushing to the sound of his son's terrified cries, had barely had time to put his glasses on before he pushed through Cody's doorway.

Worry was etched across Esteban's face. "What's wrong, Cody?"

Cody didn't respond. The worry on Esteban's face melted away to reveal sympathy. He knew his son had a nightmare. He ed across the room and positioned himself next to Cody on the bed. He gently wrapped his arm protectively around his child. Cody burried his nose in Esteban's chest, thanking the Lord Himself for the comfort and warmth of his father's arms.

"It was just a dream, son. " Esteban's calming voice made Cody's tears fall harder. Cody snuggled closer to his father, closing his eyes again and drifting into sleep.

It felt so real. But it was only a dream. Everything will be alright.