Darvish

CHAPTER 8 SECRETS I have hidden knowledge. If I disclose it, you will tremble like ropes in deep wells. ---- Imam Ali ibn Abu Taleb He bent down and tentatively touched a finger to a spot of red on the ground and put it to his lips. Blood! To his surprise, it began to grow, becoming a small red pool at his feet. He caught a glimpse of something shining beneath the surface and stuck his hand into the deepening puddle. Suddenly, something seized his hand and before he could cry out, it pulled him in. He was swept away in a swirling, raging river of blood. Gasping for air, he struggled against the current, but the river toyed with him, twisting and rolling him over and over, plunging him under and forcing him to claw his way to the surface. He was covered in the sticky wetness. It filled his mouth, his nostrils, his ears, and matted his eyes shut. Suddenly, he felt himself flying through empty space as the river flung him over a waterfall and he fell into darkness below. He struggled to the surface with his last remaining strength. Alas! Darkness! He could see nothing. Had he lost his sight? Not a sound. Had he lost his hearing? No, he could hear the beating of his own heart. The darkness pressed down upon him and he cried out. Help! Help me! But the darkness swallowed his words and there was only silence. He called for his inner voice to guide him! He called for the light to save him! His voice whispered for him to open his eyes. He realized that blood had matted and sealed his eyelids shut. He pried his eyes open with shaking fingers and gazed around him. An anguished cry tore from his throat. NOOOOOO! What he saw chilled him to the core of his being. He was alone, floating in a vast red sea – a sea of blood that stretched as far as he could see in every direction. An endless sea of red that seemed to stretch into eternity. And he was utterly alone. He howled from the depths of his soul…… And awoke. He jerked upright in bed, his teeth clinched in a silent scream. His heart was pounding as if, at any moment, it would burst. His breathing was shallow and erratic. He was covered in perspiration. For a moment, he didn’t know where he was and he stared wildly around the room. Shadows played and danced along the walls. As his eyes adjusted to the dark, he could make out familiar items. This was his room. His home. Flinging the covers aside, he saw that his body was wet with perspiration. He rubbed shaking hands across his face and forehead. Taking several deep breaths, he began to feel calmness returning. He let out a long, protracted sigh and let his head drop forward until his chin rested lightly on his chest. That damned nightmare again!