I watched as he rose from the abyss. His eyes glowing red, like the fires of hell. Fingers outstretched, reaching for me. Slowly his fingers dug at the ground. Pulling his lifeless body toward me. Smoking like ashes. My nostrils burnt from the smell, filling full of the wretched stench. My eyes watered, as I tried to keep them open. Not to look away for a second. Staring deep into his. I knew he saw through me. Deep into my soul. Beyond what others saw. He saw my fear, my hatred, my lies, and my sin. Swallowing hard as I tried to breathe. A lump in my throat that I couldn't break. Had I swallowed my tongue? It didn't matter. For I was frozen. Paralized. Motionless as his blackened lips crinkled to form a smile. His mouth empty of teeth. Only black tar. Dripping from the empty holes.Slowly his sticky tongue worked it's way around his lips. Wetting them as to speak. Yet, he was still silent. It was torture. It was hell. And he knew it. He was aware as well as I was. Even if he was dead. In this moment, he was both. Not quite living, not yet dead.

And this, my friends, is only the beginning.