The Eternal Maze of Doom

By Angela Marie Adkison

A lot of the time I can't remember any of my dreams at all, even when I just wake up from them. However, there has always been one that I could not forget. It plays in my mind over and over until I memorize every detail of it. It was a nightmare.

I'd wake up in the dream deserted, in a warrior-type outfit, on this path of dirt with 10-foot hedges surrounding me and blocking the sun from the dark, gloomy path. But, these were no ordinary hedges. These were glass hedges. They came in squares, and in each one, there was some creature that looked at me, longing to get at me. They were still as death, but their eyes pierced my mind and heart. As soon as I woke up, I knew exactly what I had to do. I had to reach the end of the maze before the huge clock overhead reached the final toll of midnight. That would be my demise.

I ran as fast as possible, trying not to look at the looming faces of the vampires, werewolves, zombies and other haunting figures who insisted on watching me... mesmerizing me... as if they could smell and taste my fear. And, they wanted it. I ran into many dead ends as the time trickled away. I tripped over things in my path that I could not see, and when I looked up, all I could see were the eyes of the figures in the glass - looking at me - their eyes laughing.

As the clock began to reach 12, I became scared. I cried and screamed, frustrated with the whole maze and wondering how I'd gotten there. Finally, I reached a straight path, and at the end, about 50 yards ahead, lay the door out.

I looked over and laughed heartily at the half-beings that had tried to stop me. As I laughed, so did they for the clock had just started tolling midnight. Fear struck my heart, and apparently, my face, for the figures were happy as could be. I realized why I was dreading midnight. The creatures come out of their "cages" at exactly that time.

They broke out, punching through the glass as if it were their enemy, holding them captive no more. I screamed a scream so bloodcurdling that even I felt a chill run up my spine. I turned around, ready to run for the door when I tripped again. This time, however, I did not look up to see the figures in their tight little display cases, but instead, they surrounded me, closing off my view of the only way out - my prize - the door.

I got up and tried to fight my way out of the creatures' grips, but no matter how hard I tried to fight, they gathered, ready to feast. As I realize there is no way out, I look up and scream. Tears are running down my face. I wake up screaming and crying - just as in the dream. When I finally realize I am okay and there are no monsters in my room as in the nightmare, I cry tears of joy. I'm grateful for all things in my life, starting anew and loving life... but, always fearful of the dream and its horrible plot... and conclusion.

NOTE: I used to have this nightmare every month on the 7th. It started in May of 2001 and continued for four months, then it stopped. I pondered the meaning of it so many times, but could never determine why I was having it. Sometimes, I TRIED to have it again, just to see if I could find something in it that I had not seen before, but no matter how hard I tried, it would not work.

After a few months, I gave up, but I still thought of it every once in a while. Then, on May 7th, 2002, it happened again. As I wandered through the dream, I knew subconsciously what was coming, but I still tried to get through the maze. I figured, if I could just get out before the dark figures surrounded me, I'd stop having this deathly dream. I tried to stop myself from turning around and laughing at the end... from tripping... from taking the paths I knew were wrong, but it happened anyway almost as though someone else were controlling me. No matter how I tried, it happened the same way every time.

I still have this dream every year on May 7th through October 7th. I hate it and dread it, but I'm still curious. I want to see what awaits beyond the door. I WANT to finish the dream, but perhaps, the end of the dream is predestined to always be... death.