A FLASH OF LIGHT CRACKS THE NIGHT SKY AS THUNDER ROARS FROM THE FOREST'S TREE LINE. Opening my eyes—while my sight slowly paints the entire place—I realize that this room is not the same one I was in last night; this one has a tall and narrow window right next to me. The tight leather binding my wrists and ankles around the bed's side rails irritates my skin. My jaw, wide open and sore, is enclosed behind a plastic shell connecting to the back of my headrest; I can only move my eyes and a little of my neck. 

    No one else seems to be here with me in this room. I have not heard anything from outside the hall yet. I don't think anyone is on this floor but me! It must be midnight already; if it is, no one else is showing up until tomorrow. Whatever they did to me tonight, I can't feel it this time. 

    I gently roll my head towards the window to view outside—the tall chain-link fence surrounds the vast grass field as it dances and sings along with the wind. I watch how the storm engulfs the sky into pure darkness, how lightning strikes briefly—illuminating the forest before evaporating. The sound of a church bell echoes from afar; the walls muffle the rain as it pours onto the thick glass—leaving stains of tears behind. Out of my sight, I can hear bees flying around in an infinite confinement coming from an outdoor light—a resemblance to a sound like a soft knock on the wall can be heard occasionally; it makes my stomach twist inside when I confuse it with an actual knock on the window. The field dances to a new tune sung by the wind's powerful influence as it rebels against the steel fence and the trees begin to fear the storm. Lightning strikes again, revealing a being at the edge of the forest that was not originally there before.  

    An ominous figure with four limbs stands out from the forest—maybe it's a wolf (hard to tell with the rain)—it crawls slowly to my line of sight and stops at the base of the fence. The figure stretches backward at an unusual elevation and springs from the floor into the air, landing on just two limbs in a terrific motion; the figure now stands like a human! It takes a few steps closer and observes. The creature extends both arms out with each hand revealing sharp fingertips as it grabs hold of the center body of the fence and slowly rips the diamond patterns apart in opposite directions with smooth ease. The hole was big enough for the creature to sliver through the defenses one limb at a time. Once inside, it stands very still and bends down to its knees before vibrating violently—shaking the earth around it. The vibrations are so potent that I can feel them around the bed! The hive of bees dies as the light explodes into tiny glass pieces. I can not move away from the window—my body won’t respond! I can only close my eyes and hope to survive. I turn my head away, very gently, from the window.

    Darkness engulfs me and itches my eyes to open as I listen to all my other senses; discomfort rings into my ears. I unconsciously open my eyes. It was there. Waiting by the window. A kiss away from my breath—with its uncanny face in full display—as I witness in horror the pale white flesh with perfectly round shadowed dot eyes, an uncomfortable space below it, and blood-glossy lips—smiling directly at me.