Hall of Demons

I know they are there. I can hear them talking. Whispering menacingly in the background. I can almost hear what they are saying. As I make out a few words they are horrified that I understand them and great anger is all around me.  We walk into the large hallway and I can see the cobwebs everywhere. If I look carefully I can see “them” scattering for cover like roaches. They look like small twigs, about an inch in diameter and eight inches long. Out of these twigs come many randomly placed branches about a quarter inch in diameter and about three inches long. They stick out all over. From each of these branches comes a line. Much like fishing line. It sticks to me. They attach these lines to my back and shoulders. I get angry and in one motion rip them all off. Then the twigs come out from their cover and begin to attack me, trying to capture me in their webs. There is someone beside me who is very powerful. They appear to be about a foot shorter than me.  They reach up and pluck one of the twigs. In their hand it looks like a harmless spider. Somehow as they touch it scale changes, what was a wild ferocious twig creature becomes docile and cute. They blow it off their hand. It turns to dust.

The creatures begin to scream as they attack, like they know they are going to their deaths. I know it is a distraction. They are only trying to divert my attention. I look around to see what they are covering for. Demons are pouring in through the doors of the hall. I am stunned. They are about four feet tall with huge heads and sharp teeth. They are the embodiment of anger. They are trying to stun me with their ferocity. Without making any decision or having any feeling, I run at them and begin grabbing at them. One, two, three, I snap their necks and rip off their heads. I am shocked at how easy it is and at how they do not seem to be able to fight back. Their necks are soft and spongy. Things are not as they appear.

It occurs to me that even though I am decimating them, it is a slow process and their sheer numbers will overtake me. I grab a huge barbell and place it in front of the hallway doors. They begin to scream and claw through the small opening that is left. I step back. The door bulges at the magnitude of the mass behind it. I prepare for the door to break open and deal with the demons en masse. As the door opens my companion speaks a word and the demons vanish in thin air. I turn to see who my companion is. I see the bureau next to my bed.

I realize I was tricked into touching several of them before my companion spoke. I look again at the bureau. I check my clock. I have overslept. They were not happy, because I was not scared. They wanted me to attack them, but they wanted me to be angry. I was not angry. I was only protecting myself. They were very disappointed. There was no connection made when I touched them. I will be late for work. I must skip my shower and throw on my clothes and go. They will try again soon. Next time I will simply observe and let my companion take all the responsibility for action.  It is, after all, his life.