How many times has Lark seen this darkness?

An empty flat expanse.

Always cold.

Always barren and lit by a gleaming sea of stars.

Always alone.

But always being watched.

Standing there unsure as to what to do, Lark looked down at his feet.

His reflection startled him.

A being of multiple limbs and numerous wings stared back at him instead, their obsidian eyes wide and unblinking. Its smile was wide with interest but didn’t open as a voice reverberated in his ears.

“Hello, little bird.”

“Who are you?” A dull throb of panic surged through him. Lark tried stepping away but his feet were cemented to where he stood.

“I am you and I am myself. I am everything as I am nothing.”

“Alright, riddles it is.” Understanding he wouldn't get any kind of straight answer out of the figure Lark looked around.

The voice practically cooed as the figure’s head tilted curiously. “What are you looking for?”

“Something besides you.”

“I’m all there is.”

“And what IS that?”

The figure smiled again at Lark’s annoyance, eyes curving in amusement. “Aw… you don’t know, do you?”

Raising an eyebrow Lark folded his arms and looked down at the thing below. “How about you enlighten me then.”

A playful chuckle floated up through the air and the figure’s eyes flashed. It rose up suddenly, oozing through the floor to tower over Lark. Frozen stiff, Lark shivered as icey, wet hands cupped the sides of his face.

“I don’t look familiar? Not even a little?” Still its lips didn’t open to speak.

Trying desperately to recall imagery that was similar, the hair on the back of Lark’s neck stood up. “Uh… uh I… I don’t-“ 

Frosted glass limbs 

and feathery wings 

and tears that dripped down in a waterfall 

and cold water that seeped into his bones-

As he remembered, pain laced through his head.

“Sshh, Sshh.” A thumb caressed his cheek, softly… possessively. “I understand. You are not like the others.”

The figure’s permanent eyeshine gaze seemed far away, staring down at Lark but imagining someone else. “I needed a little help getting my way.” Sharp nails abruptly dug into Lark’s skin and he winced as blood welled up from phantom wounds.

“I’m running out of time. As usual there are… obstacles in my way.”

“What are you talking about?” Gasped Lark as a cacophony of emotions slammed into his mind. Everything spun in wild, excruciating circles.

“Ah ah ah. I don’t want you tattling on me… All in due time.” The figure brought its hands away and Lark fell backwards.

And continued falling.

Tumbling…

Until he woke up with a lurch.