I laughed as Mark pushed me higher on the swing. We were the only ones in the park, so Chica was running around off leash.

When I reached the top of the push, the world seemed to stop. I breathed in deeply and looked around the park. Air rushed past me as I made my way back down.

"Next time you are going to fly over the bar. My muscles are just too strong," Mark joked. We both laughed as he placed his hands on my upper back and gave me another push.

When I reached the top this time, my hands slipped off the chains holding the seat and I flew across the field. I screamed in fear as the ground came flying towards me. I landed on my arm and rolled a couple of times. Pain shot through the joint.

"Ethan!" Mark called as he ran as fast as possible to catch up to me. He kneeled down as I rolled into a ball from the pain. "Are you okay? What happened?" He asked, helping me sit up.

"My hands slipped. I think I sprained my arm," I stated, trying my best to breathe.

"I am so sorry! I didn't mean for this to happen-"

"It's okay," I cut him off. I gave Mark a quick smile to calm him down and he flashed one back.

We stared at eachother for a moment, but were interrupted when China came crashing on top of me, licking my face. Mark and I laughed as he pulled her off of me.

"Thanks Chica," I said as I pet her with my healthy arm.

Mark helped me into my feet and I dusted myself off. "Thank you Mark." I stated, but he didn't respond. I moved my head back to meet his eyes, but they had turned red. I screamed in fear and fell back down as his warmth was replaced with a dark cloud.

"You're welcome" a deep voice filled the air. I couldn't breathe as a foot met my face.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

I jumped awake, blood pooling from my nose.

"You wouldn't fucking wake up!" Dark's voice boomed. Everything came back to me as he continued, "Remember, this is no game. You will be dead soon." His dark laugh rang through my ears as tears pooled in my eyes. Once again, my dream had turned into the nightmare I call reality.