I walk outside
It’s midnight
I begin to light my cigarette
But the cold wind blows out the flame
I sigh
And look ahead

A black silhouetted figure stands in front of me
The moonlight behind him draws his shape
But hides his face
Does he have a face?

What do you want?
I ask him
I am not a he.
It replies

How did you know what I was thinking?
I can read minds.
Bullshit.
Prove it.

It reaches out an arm
And grabs my face
It pulls a murky smoke out with its hand
I laugh

What is that?
Your soul of course.
As if I would know
I didn’t think I had a soul.
You don’t.

So its a lie?
Yes
And no.
How will I know the truth?

You won’t.
I see.
No you don’t.
You see nothing.

I know.
What are you?
I ask
It replies

I am the monster that once haunted your dreams.
But you have long since forgotten me.
I’m sorry.
I grew up.

Don’t be sorry.
I was never that nice to you.
It’s okay.
I assume you take a different shape these days.

I do.
These days I am no longer in your dreams
But around you all the time.

I know.
When will you ever leave me alone?
You know the answer to that.
I do

He walks away
And before he vanishes into the moonlight I say

I miss you.
In my dreams I mean.

I know.
I wish it could be the same as it was once.
I had a good time waking you up at night.
And following you wherever you walked.
Even when you got to your parents’ room.
And said you had a nightmare.
And asked to sleep with them.
I was always there.

I know you were.
You were always with me.
And I wish I could see you again.
But only in my dreams.
I don’t like it when you take the shape of others.

It scares you does it?
Yes, more than I’d like to admit.
Well then I’m doing my job.
I hate you.
I know.
But where would you be without me?

The figure disappears into the moonlight
I light my cigarette
And reminisce about my childhood
And all the wonderful nightmares that once only existed in my head