MARK:

I gape, both awed and horrified. 

A never-ending stream of red is shooting out of a purple portal that randomly appeared. The line of pouring red stops mid-air, just a couple meters infront of the portal, and as if stopped by a fish net, it begins condensing into a constantly swelling ball right infront of the portal. The ball, at its maximum size, is roughly the size of a soccer field. Then, without worning, the ball of red explodes, violently dispersing in four directions, like beams of light shooting out of a supernova. This mesmerizing process of condensing, inflating and dispersing plays on repeat. 

"Aaaaaa!"

The screech jars me out of my trance, and I am finally able to tear my eyes away from the ethereal collection of red. I stare off into the distance, trying to locate the source of the sound. And after a minute of searching, my weaving eyes finally land on the source of the screech. 

A miniscule red flies up in the distance, with a tiny human-like form squirming beneath it – like a bird carrying off its worm – and judging by the distance it seems like the victim was picked from the crowded masses of foot-walkers and office goers of early morning Wall Street. 

Ahh, what a pity. 

What a pity that it wasn't me who got carried away. 

Should I just die?

A tempting offer. It, for sure, is a surefire way to let this wallowing misery end quickly. I mean, all I have to do is to just allow myself to be seen. 

To be found. 

I silently watch as the tiny flying red dot – with its dangling, wriggling prey underneath – flies back into one of the branches of the giant red stream that leads to Who-Knows-Where. 

Following this excellent demonstration, a thousand more red dots detach from the giant red stream, touch down to the ground, and rise back up into the air—with their tiny worms wriggling in their claws underneath. They head straight back into the red pulsing vortex and merge back into it. 

I ponder on the sight before me – laminating my choice – but then I hear an echoing crack descending from the sky above, an extremely eerie crack, one that is followed by a 'Kree' of harmonious ecstasy. 

Blood rains before me. 

The sky fills with pouring fountains of blood as both the moans of ecstasy and crying screams mingle together into one giant orchestra of hell. 

That doesn't sound very good. 

The undigested contents of my hasty morning meal threaten to bounce back into my mouth as the situation I most desired, and now dread, lands right in front of me—the tiny red dot.

Instinctually, I cower; my head bent low, my body freezing in spot, my feet supplant to the pavement below me. Like a deer caught in the headlights, unsure whether to duck and run, or stand and accept death. 

Mustering together the sparse entropies of courage left within me, I look up, my eyes quivering with uncontrollable tears. And I find it just standing there, staring back at me like a curious little kid. But just as I start to relax, a little smile stretches across its hideous face, an array of pointed jagged fangs protruding to decorate its canine snarl. 

That's a red dot no more. 

The stark red hue of its otherworldly body mesmerizes me. It's as if its whole body is covered in blood–and maybe it was–I just wasn't able to tell it apart. Getting over the fact that even its entire body resembled a big 'Danger!' sign, I look it in the eyes; if I am to die here, I won't do it lying down.

Eyes the color of hellfire shine back at me—my whole body shudders involuntarily. This must be what a prey feels when it's stuck in front of its predator with no way out, just stuck wallowing in its own self-doubt. 

I can escape, no I can't.

I can flee, no I shall perish by thee. 

A pointed tongue pokes out of its mouth and wraps around the sharp fang-like teeth, cleaning them diligently, in anticipation of biting into me. A trident tail whips around behind it - like it's a tiger enjoying its hunt. 

It steps towards me, and I instinctually flinch, backing away. 

I feel the hourglass of my life dropping to its last few grains of sand. 

"#•{$×°•[¢{$}|" a screeching laugh. I understand nothing but the laugh, the horrid laugh clears my foggy mind a little.

'Oh shit, what the fuck do I do now? I wanted this to happen, so, should I just die?'

No, you have too many people relying on you. 

Shouts my conscience. I gotta run. 

I turn around and sprint, with my non-existent tail tucked between my feet. "Kree!" I hear its cry of glee behind me, and that only pumps me into a more desperate flee. Flailing my arms and legs around me I try to run as fast as I can, but my years of inactivity show through even with an adrenaline pump aiding me. 

'Ack' I trip on the elevated sidewalk and fall face-first upon the hard pavement. The enclosing laugh of joy prompts me to roll over on my back just in time to see the tiny red demon striding towards me. It's back hunched, eyes wide, it looks like a tiger crouching for its kill.

No. 

I look for an escape, any escape. My eyes desperately search the area for a way out, but with the limited time available I find myself unable to locate any, but just as I am about to give up, I see it. 

If I can't escape from it above ground, then I shall dive underground. 

Dragging myself backwards like a prey about to give up I scurry on backwards to my square shaped way out of this damned mess. The demon lunges towards me, its fangs bared and claws pointed to daggers to impale me.