Every night it is the same dream. It starts with my standing in front of a 3-story brick home at dusk. I look up to the window to the right of the entryway and see a soft yellow glow getting brighter, until I see a figure at the window holding a shiny metal candle holder with a white burning candle. The flame raises and I see a face – it’s my grandmother (who has been dead for 25 years now.) She smiles and beckons me with her other hand.
I go to the front door and try to open it. It’s locked. I ring the doorbell and wait.
I hear a click and the door swings in but I don’t see who opens it.
Suddenly I get a sharp shove from behind and I stumble into the total darkness. The door slams shut, its boom echoing off the walls.
I yell, “Grandma!” My voice also echoes.
I hear a moan in my right ear and want to scream – and do.
Running forward on impulse, I trip and fall flat.
I hear Grandma’s voice above me and look up. She is there with the candle and says, “Follow me, Lisa. You need to get out of here.” She looks the same as she did 25 years ago except she’s wearing a long white nightdress.
I follow her upstairs, the candle lighting the way. I ask her, “How are you here, Grandma?”
“They let us help sometimes. Hurry, you don’t have much time.”
She glides more quickly now. She continues to the third floor and then heads for the attic stairs. In the attic is a door leading to a small balcony. The door opens of its own volition as we reach it. Soon we are standing on the balcony, looking at the full moon.
“Jump,” she says.
I hear something large and moaning clumping behind us.
Caught between terrors, I jump. And wake up.
It’s been six months now of having the dream. I’m tired.
Tonight will be different.
Tonight I will sprout wings.
Fandango is the host of Fandango’s Flash Fiction Challenge.
Tao Talk 
I hope that you enjoy your wings. Nice story Lisa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Jim. I liked having a chance to see grandma for 6 months, but enough is enough.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was gonna say good story telling.. But then I read the comments and wonder if this is a real dream? Either way, well told.
LikeLiked by 1 person
No, not a real dream, but it could just as well be. Thanks, Violet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A fantastic story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sadje!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A pleasure Li.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That was good Lisa. Vincent Price would have felt at home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it, Max. VP is one of my favorite horror actors.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds it would have worked as a plot to one of his seventies movies.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You know, that’s what today’s cinema needs, some good horror actors that can do series, like they did with Hammer Films.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love those films. Those old anthology films were great.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an eerie dream. I would wake up in a sweat if I had such a dream each night. I would dread going to bed at night.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the suspense in this.👌🏾
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jude!
LikeLike
My pleasure
LikeLiked by 1 person