Drip. Drip. Drip.

I counted the water drops falling from the tiny cave entrance, surpassing the numbers that usually led me to slumber. I preferred to sleep outside , but tonight it smelled like rain. Truth is, I was restless. Every noise seemed magnified and the conversations in my head were louder than normal.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

I closed my eyes and continued counting, ignoring the voice that had grown louder over the last many days. I was alone, utterly and completely alone. Is this all there would ever be? Me, trudging across the island searching for treasures and exhaustion?

Drip. Drip. Drip.

The storm had arrived and as moisture grew on the cave walls, a tiny stream of droplets collected over my head. As they spilled upon my face it was refreshing; but, the moment of cool sensation faded. It was replaced by panic when I realized that I couldn't move away. I felt nothing, nothing but the moisture falling across my forehead and the fear growing within me.

The light from the moon disappeared like the howling wind had carried it away. Engulfed by absolute darkness, I felt the cave walls closing in, surrounding me like a coffin. I pleaded with my limbs to push at the solid surfaces, to make an escape, but they wouldn't respond. A mind-numbing pain then seared through every cell of my lifeless body, eliciting a blood-curdling scream as knives I couldn't see stabbed me from the inside out.

Suddenly, a blinding white light appeared. Dazed and confused I saw silhouetted movement, figures circling around me. I frantically searched for something familiar, something to focus upon as spiralled into the blackness of nothing. I fought to keep the light in sight, certain when the light faded, my life would also be extinguished.

It was only when exhaustion conquered my determination that a single figure stepped in front of the light, calming my heartbeat, providing a momentary feeling of safety. He towered over me, but gazed with the kindest eyes I could ever imagine. While the seconds that passed were literally the amount required to draw breath only once, he saved me. With one look he provided hope. I would find the strength to survive.

He reached out with comforting intent; but suddenly, and without warning, another being interrupted his actions. Pushed back into the blinding light beyond my vision, my would-be savior was gone. In his place, I found black eyes filled with hatred that glared.

The frightening stare ended with a slap of fury, a brute force that pushed me off the rock ledge that imprisoned me. Falling onto the cavern floor, I hit my head on a sharp rock that should have knocked me out; but instead, startled me awake.

And so, with blood dripping down my face, the nightmare ended and another day began.