...

The first thing Sky saw when he woke up the next day was a large figure towering over him. This figure didn't have the appearance like the faceless ghosts in his nightmare. Instead, it's appearance expressed an eerie and direful It was a entity made of fangs and melting darkness, joined together by a multiple-eyed skull. Several arms twisted around its skeletal form as it towered over Sky's average one, making him look smaller.

The head slowly swiveled around 360 degrees, making Sky make a noise of surprise. It smiled at him in response, baring its sharp, spiny teeth as it stared into Sky's eyelights, unblinking.

"Help me..." it's voice was low and raspy as it gently places each of its hand between Sky's trembling figure. "helP mE..."

The creature didn't so much as flinch when Sky let out a bloodcurdling scream. If anything, it's smile grew wider, sending chills down the other's spine.

The smaller couldn't tear his eyes away from the taunting stare of the skeleton entity in front of him. His eyelights were dilated as he took in the full appearance of the entity, gulping a little in fear before looking away.

"I must be—"

"HeLP Me..." the apparition whispered in again before bringing its face closer to Sky's.

The creature stops in their tracks. Nothing happens. The universe holds their breath.

With one final scream, Sky could suddenly feel the cold hands wrap around his throat in a quick motion.

Sky lets out a bloodcurdling scream as the hands gripped around his throat painfully, applying more pressure every minute. Kicks fly in all directions, arms flail, rough fingers dig through flash. Nothing.

He can't get them off.

Get them off.

Get them off.

Get them off!

Get them off!

Get them off!

GET THEM OFF!!

The same black substance pours from the creature's mouth again as he leans closer.

A purple glow suddenly enveloped around the tips of Sky's fingers that clawed desperately at the apparation's hold.

His shrill screams and pleas of mercy echoed throughout the room.

His house.

The entire Undergound.

He desperately tried calling for his brother, his friends, anyone for help.

. . .

But nobody came.

Eventually the smaller's frantic attacks weaken.

Black corners the edges of his vision. Before he passed out, the ghost quickly lets go. Air has never felt so heavenly and dry at the same time. The apparition suddenly rests their head on his shoulder. Something happened. Sky's vision was still too blurred to tell details though.

Instead of being met with pain, the apparation's arms suddenly embrace him. A hand, now warm and soothing, gently rests on his cheek, wiping the tears that threatened to fall down his face.

Sky stood stiff in response, taking in short and ragged breaths, and feeling his eyesockets burn.

He wishes, more than anything, that this was all a nightmare.

"...wAKe uP."

___

The skeleton jolted awake in a cold sweat, breathing heavily. His eyelights glazed around the darkness, his hands weakly grasping his neck.

"...mgh...."

That wasn't a dream or nightmare at all.

This was...

R E A L I T Y.