The Nightmare That Was - Part 1

There was no gentle wakening. My eyes flung open and were instantly settled on my ceiling fan gently spinning and the buzzing slightly soothing. Out of instinct, I reached for my phone, which I always placed at my bedside. When I felt the cool screen against my fingertips, I hurried to check the time.

Four-thirty AM.

I gasped when the images of the nightmare I had just had flashed through my mind. I made an effort not to touch my neck, thinking it was silly for me to be so afraid, but I brought my hand to my throat, anyway.

There were no indentations and there were no signs of scarring or stitches, which greatly gave me relief. I sat up in bed and tried to make myself more comfortable, telling myself I was finally awakening from that nightmare.