Sauntering along the busy street, I stifle a yawn.
The days are long and enduring.
The nights are quiet and lonely.
Turning around the street corner, a slight gasp escapes my lips.
The street is empty and forlorn.
Not a person in sight or a sound to be heard.
As my vision clouds, I rub at my tired eyes.
Before me, the scene changes.

Nothing remembrant or familiar.
Alone.
Dark.
Fear.

The taste of bitter metal floods my mouth.
I open it to speak, but no words are released.
Trapped within the paralysis of my own despair.
In the stillness of the dark, I stand in nervous anticipation.
What will happen next?
Who will come save me?

I turn abruptly as I feel cold fingers on my back.
There's nothing there in the darkness.
As a sigh of relief escapes, I realize I rejoiced too soon.
Unmoving, cold arms slip around my waist.
I feel myself being turned around and I stiffen.
I scream.

No sounds make it out.
Struggling, cold lips are pressed to mine.
They swallow my protest.
The warmth of my body drains under this skillful kiss.

Trying not to respond, I'm helpless.
The lips over mine are sweet, yet insistent.
Gentle, yet passionate.
Protective, yet forceful.
Tender, yet powerful.

I lose the conflicting battle of adventure against self-preservation.
With the persistent coaxing, I succumb to this masterful teaching.
My untutored lips slowly move beneath them and
My timid responds fan the flames of desire.

Drawn closer, I sigh as I give into this newfound experience.
The will of my mind leaves my body.
I feel like I'm floating high above the clouds...
Despite the cold surrounding me, my body explodes with heat.

Separating, my lips curve upwards in a satiated smile.
The daze of my eyes begins to clear as I'm released.
The figure fades, but I'm stunned in horror.

The face of Death grins at me.
Leering.
Luring.
Captivating.
Melting wantonly in its cool embrace, I had been kissing Death.

I awake with a start.
I'm hot and sticky, but relieved.
It was a dream.
Only a dream.
No!
It wasn't a dream,
But a nightmare.

A vivid remembrance of that time.
It was my first.
It was my last...
The stars had sparkled brilliantly
Against the darkened sky like diamonds.
The full moon kept watch,
Protecting and guiding its lifetime companions.
Peeking out, timid, yet bold...
In splendid glory, the sun competed.

Calm struggling between light and dark,
Half the sky blackened
And the other half magnificent
With the pinks, purples and blues of sunrise...
Cherished moments of long ago,
Tucked away in safe protection.
In times of the hectic pace of life,
The memories of peace brushed aside...
And replaced with chaos and confusion.

The calming breeze whispers through the clear summer sky.
Silently, I stand.
The soft coolness ruffles my hair,
Leaving it wild and free as it dances.

The gentle movement of the air causes a chain effect.
Wind against my skin...
Wind against the tree's bark...
Wind against the lake water...

Ripples course over the lake's glassy surface
As if it say they agree to this luxury,
Skipping along its path in steadiness and amusement.
Despite the peace of my surroundings, I sense something different.

The cover of calmness masks an essence of chaos.
I close my eyes.
I indulge in my whim.
Changed, yet unchanging...

It's like watching myself, detached from my body.
I have no will.
It's a moment of uncontrollable experience.
Something is lurking within the shadows.
I can't see anything, but I don't need to.
The way my body tingles, it is obviously coming closer.
Fear?
No, I'm not afraid.

Excitement is a better word.
Waiting with breathless anticipation, it didn't take long.
But it's over before it barely even started.
In a flash, it already disappears...

True though it is, it isn't before I felt the entire range of it all.
In a brief instance, the event stands frozen in my mind.
Brutality and rage...
Pure hatred...

It's an intense feeling of sheer savagery...
Unexpected.
There is a passion, a desire, a longing for more.
Surprised, I open my eyes.

Staring back at me, the warm sunlight smiles
As it kisses me in loving greeting.
My companion of doubt rejoins me,
Giving its expert advice.

I close my eyes.
Nothing.
I make a failed attempt to recapture the moment,
But gain nothing.

It's undeniable.
As I re-open my eyes, it's brushed aside.
The time of fanciful musing is finished.
It's gone...