Nightmare Material

What bad dreams are made of

Source

It seemed cold outside, like a moonless night after freshly fallen rain, yet Amber McLain couldn’t feel the coldness.

Her heels clanked loudly against the pavement as she walked. It was dark. Quiet. Too quiet. A sure warning of something bad just around the corner. She slowed and tried to silence her heels, but with each step they echoed loudly into the night.

Glancing over her shoulder, she saw him. A huge figure made up mostly of shadow. His walk was smooth, almost as if he were gliding. Guided by tendrils of black smoke. A creature of the night. The darkness itself.

Amber yanked off her heels and stuck close to the lamplight as she ran, afraid that without its protection of warm light she’d be swallowed by the darkness.

The shaded figure followed. Closing the gap quickly. Extinguishing each street lamp he passed under. There were only a few left until there would be nothing but complete blackness.

The night walker had closed the gap completely now. He extended a pale, bony hand. Long fingers curled around her neck. This she could feel. Her throat tightened. Air no longer flowed. She was going to die. She closed her eyes and accepted it.