Chapter 1: The Dream

I am barefoot, walking through a peaceful meadow with grass that feels as if it's made from satin. I stop to look around, and suddenly a swarm of color surrounds me in every direction. The butterflies have come again, just as they always do. I revel in the serenity of their flight, and in the softness of their kisses. But it doesn't last long. They soon turn away from me, being chased by a beast that cares nothing for happiness or anything related to it. The beast takes the form of a huge black dog, growling at me as if it were going to tear me to pieces. And it will, if I let it. So I begin to run, but I get nowhere. It is as if I am glued to the spot where I stand. The dog senses my fear growing inside of me and, feeding on it, grows stronger, until it leaps on top of me, crushing everything that I am, and just as the world begins to fade...

I wake up.