I was walking home in the dark along a crooked road. The bend ahead was really dark. As I turned the corner, I detected a movement ahead and glimpsed a silhouette beside the road, crouching behind some brush.

I gasped and hesitated glancing behind me. Nothing but darkness. There was not street light on the corner I had just turned.

I don’t want to go back there.

I forced myself to continue walking. My heart thudded as I passed the shadow. I could hear heavy breathing. I felt light headed with panic.

What do I do?

My gate was only a few yards a head. Maybe I could make it…..

I dashed towards the gate.

The silhouette moved and I felt it behind me…..I tried to accelerate but my feet were iron. The gate now loomed before me. The two lamps on each side shining bright orange light all around.

I had always loved the towering brass gate that gave absolute privacy, but today, I would have preferred a grill 100 times more. I could not tell if there was anyone on the other side.

I tried to raise the alarm when cold damp claws wrapped around my neck and me backwards. Only a groan escaped. The claws started to drag me into the darkness as I struggled.

Suddenly, we were awash with bright lights as a car turned the corner and sped towards us.

The pressure immediately released and I fell backwards. The car however did not stop. It sped towards me with the horn now blaring. I screamed in fear and braced for impact. There was violent shaking. And then…

“Wake up, wake up”

It was my brother forcing me awake. Apparently, watching horrors before bed doesn’t agree with me.