In it came... the forever-existing chill that descends upon my room every night as a thundering waterfall fall does. Except it did not roar with tenacity, but whispered with consistency. There was no doubt in my mind that this would be another one of those nights. The ones I defiantly attempted to lock away every morning; the ones that incessantly slithered to the surface through every opening I granted.

     I'd fallen prey to her presence again. My body succumbing to the distress emanating in every direction from her cadaverous figure. Melancholic despair engulfed the room as she approached my bed. She need not speak for me to know that all she craved was rescue from her affliction; whatever it may have been. I dared not cast aside her plea one more night. Tonight I was a valiant mediator determined to liberate her soul and ultimately, pacify mine.

"Y-you, who are you?"

Silence... it was as if the words I managed to utter were erroneous or simply ignored. Nevertheless, I had her attention. My nocturnal visitor had stopped her sluggish advance towards me; it seemed she was as bewildered by my question as I was. It could be that she was astonished by my courage to finally attempt interaction with her. After all, I had been fleeing from our encounters for months.