The Dream Demon

Chapter 3 - The First Meeting

Ephesians 4:27

and do not give the devil an opportunity.

Water. I can hear running water. My eyes flutter open, but I am no longer in my bedroom. I am also no longer alone.

My eyes start to slowly focus and take in my surroundings. I am stood in the middle of what looks like a majestic oasis. There is lush greenery everywhere I look, and magnificent, huge palm trees. I take a few steps, letting my feet carry me forward to the sound of running water. What I come to see is astounding. In front of me is a huge rocky waterfall, which is feeding in to a beautiful blue lagoon. The lagoon is the most beautiful combination of blues I had ever seen in my life. Something like I'd seen on T.V when watching wildlife and travel programs with my mother. It was just too beautiful to put into words.

Butterflies of all colors and sizes flew around drinking in the sweet nectar of all the pretty flowers. There were also what looked to be Hummingbirds, darting around so quickly that I could barely see them. There was beauty everywhere. I could hear the Hummingbird's wings, flapping ever so quickly, the croaking of frogs and chirping of insects. The scene was just magical.

I blink rapidly and pinch myself on my wrist. This is a dream? It must be. The sand beneath my toes and the smells and sounds I see are saying otherwise.

I can still feel the throbbing pain radiating from my bust lip. I've never been able to feel pain in my dreams before. I pinch myself harder, this time on my arm where bruises are beginning to form from where Joshua grabbed me earlier.

"Ouch!" I yelped in surprise. It actually hurt! I raised my head to take another look around. That's when I saw him. A lone figure, across the other side of the lagoon with his back turned away from me.

He was huge. Bigger than my father, that's for sure. A feeling of dread crept over me, as he slowly turned around to face me head on.

"Abigail, my dearest. There you finally are" he said in the most deep, yet charming voice I'd ever heard.

"Wh-Who are you? Where am I?" I felt the words slip involuntarily from my mouth.

My instincts were screaming out to me "Do NOT engage with this man!" My heart felt like it was about to break out of my chest. It was beating so fast. My stomach? Well.. that felt like it had basically just dropped. I don't know how, but I knew that this man was dangerous. Quick as a flash he had moved and was standing directly in front of me. I cast down my eyes, too afraid to look at him. He was so close that I could feel his breath fanning my face.

"Your questions will be answered all in time Abigail. However, please humor me and answer one I have for you. What happened to your face?"

My face? He's asking about my face? I've only just met him! He had just teleported in front of me, and he's expecting me to act like it's the most normal thing in the world! I wanted to run, but my body was frozen to the spot. My feet were refusing to engage my brain. My body was compelling me to answer to him, like I simply had no choice in the matter. I had a strong urge to look him in the eye. Raising my eyes slowly, I tried raking in every detail about him possible.

He was dressed head to toe in a fitted, black suit, the material unlike anything I've ever seen. Although it was black, it had a dark red sheen , that almost looked liquid. He wore a large signet ring on his left hand, which was shaped like a snake. In its mouth, the snake was holding an orb that was filled with a dark red liquid. His chest, even though fully clothed, I could see was muscular. He had the physique of a body builder, and arms that looked like they could crush you to death in an instant. His manicured beard framed his devilish smile, which stood out against his caramel skin. He was beauty personified.

Finally my eyes reached his. His Iris were the black of night, circled by a red ring. I'd never seen anything like them. This guy couldn't be human. He didn't feel human. I could feel his aura crushing me from the inside out, rolling off him in waves.

The voice in my head is practically shouting at me now. "Don't show weakness. Be brave and snap out of it!" Unfortunately I couldn't bring myself to listen.

"My face? It was a silly accident really. My brother and I were racing up the stairs and I slipped and fell" I explained, thinking that my excuse was rather convincing. The look on his face told me otherwise.

"Do NOT lie to me Abigail. I asked you a question expecting a truthful answer."

I then felt an overwhelming feeling come over me. I wanted nothing more than to tell the truth, even if it meant spilling my deepest, darkest secrets to this 'man'.

"I am sorry. I just find it difficult trusting people. Especially those I do not know. My father punished me for my arrogance. It was my fault."

"I see. That wasn't very difficult now, was it? Do these punishments happen often?" he asked, with a frown on his face.

"Only when I'm disobedient, or do not excel in my bible studies, Sir.".

He raised his hand to my face. I couldn't help but flinch back, thinking he would hurt me in some way. Slowly, he began rubbing his thumb across my lip and down to my arm where Joshua had hurt me earlier. A strong warmth was radiating from his fingers, travelling all over my body. He gently took hold of my chin, raising my face so that I again, would look him in the eye.

"The thing is Abigail, you do know me. I have been present in your life since your birth. Your parents have made a deal with me, and soon enough it will be my time to collect."

"A deal with you? I don't understand. What kind of deal? What do you want with me?"

He grinned at me, a look of pure malice painting his face. "Ha Ha Ha, all in good time Abigail! I know you have many questions for me, but I will answer on my own terms. You should also know, any answer I give you, will require a price.. This, we can discuss on a later day. If you wish to speak with me again, keep that blasted cat out of your bedroom at night. I will visit you in your dreams and we can talk. I must be going now, but don't waste time Abigail. The clock is ticking."

A bright light started to overwhelm my vision, my body feeling like it was being pulled away from me.

"Oh, and before I forget, please tell your parents Typhon said hello" I heard him say, as he faded from view.

I slowly felt my eyes open, before bolting upright, trying desperately to steady my erratic heartbeat. It took a few minutes, but it finally started to slow to its regular pace. I was once again in the safety of my own bed.

"It was just a dream Abi," I kept telling myself, yet my mind continued to race with questions.