I wake. It’s dark. So dark.
My bed is tight. Snug on both sides. I reach up. There’s something a few inches above me. It’s hard, but covered in soft fabric. It’s like I’m in a box, with soft silk sheets all around. I’m wearing a suit, not pyjamas. Where are my shoes?
I’m falling. Slowly. Very slowly. I land with a thump. My bed is jostled, but I can’t fall out.
Something lands on top of the box, thud. Then even more thuds. I scream but I have no voice.
Then there’s only silence. I’m alone.
It’s so dark.
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alt="Vanished by T.J. Gallasch"
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height="630"
>
sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)"
alt="The Ruins by David Albano"
class="motion-reduce"
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height="630"
>
sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)"
alt="The Final Gift Before Joining Our Family by Katara J. Z."
class="motion-reduce"
loading="lazy"
width="1200"
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>
sizes="(min-width: 1200px) 550px, (min-width: 750px) calc((100vw - 130px) / 2), calc((100vw - 50px) / 2)"
alt="O, Christmas Tree by S. Jade Path"
class="motion-reduce"
loading="lazy"
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height="630"
>