Something is wrong.

The palms of her hands were slick with sweat. She couldn't place just why that was, but it was.

Something is wrong.

The house was quiet, filled with that silence that only night brought to dwelling places. The rooms were dark, lit here or there by the  moon that shone through open windows. Breezes blew curtains from the screens, ushering in fresh air and a tangy coolness that hinted of the winter to come.

Something is wrong.

A black shape detaches itself from the darkness and lumbers towards her. Her breath hitches in her throat for a brief moment before she begins to breathe again. Only the dog. It nudges against her leg, damp nose pressing to her fingers. A soft whine hangs in the air for a moment and with that sound the room goes chill.

Something is wrong.

The animal breaks away, trotting a few steps from her to look back over one furry shoulder. It waits for her to follow and then continues walking, stopping every couple paces to check on her progress.

Something is wrong.

They stand at the foot of the staircase, steps leading up, melting into the impenetrable darkness that hides the landing and the bedrooms beyond. The dog launches up the stairs, taking them three at a time. He doesn't stop to look at her until he is at the top of the flight of steps. Again that gentle whine, nudging her to action.

Something is wrong.

She places one bare foot on the smooth surface of the bottom step. Her hand found the balustrade, fingers curling around the cool grip. A quick breath as her other foot stepped up.

Something is wrong.

It takes hours to climb the stairs, each step a study in torture and fear. Her entire body was shaking as she finally conquered the steep staircase. The dog nudged against her ankle, whining low in it's throat.

Something is wrong.

It was so much colder upstairs, not the chill of early autumn but rather the deep overpowering cold of death. If she let herself she could imagine that the walls were not papered with the rose-and-cream striped fabric they'd chosen but rather made of dark rock and dripping with noxious liquid that froze to form vicious icicles.

Something is wrong.

Her hand closed around the doorknob that lead to their bedroom. Something told her that behind the thin partical board was the reason for this bone-numbing fear. The dog hadn't accompanied her. It lay whimpering on the top step, curled into itself like a black ball of fright.

Something is wrong.

A quick twist and the door was open. Moonlight spilled through the sheer curtains, casting a silver light on their immaculate bedroom. She smiled softly. Nothing was wrong.

She sat on the edge of the bed, reaching one hand out to grasp the wrist of her lover. Limp, stiff. Cold.

Suddenly aware of warm stickiness clinging to her thighs and bottom.

With a scream she jumped up and reached out for the light. With a flick of her wrist the light was on, illuminating the entire room with harsh reality.

Blood saturated the bed, soaking her lover and her own clothing.

A scream shattered the night, primal in anger and fear. Desperation.

She sat up, breathing hard. It had just been a nightmare.

The palms of her hands were slick with sweat. She couldn't place just why that was, but it was.

Something is wrong.