Red. On the ground. Everywhere. I’m swimming in it. Slipping in it. I run, stumbling through the sea of red.

I throw open a door, collapsing against the wall, gasping for breath. Grabbing the rose wallpaper. Then I hear the shouts. And screams. The door flies open and they march in. Grabbing me. I feel the red cover me, taste it in my mouth, smell it in the air.

More screams and someone covered in red stumbles in. It’s all too much for me. Too familiar. I close my eyes and replace the red with black. It’s cool, peaceful, safe. I feel the red pulling me, dragging me out of the room, closer to the screams, but I ignore it. I bathe in the calm, black.

I feel more red overtaking my body, dripping down my neck, filling my mouth, plastering on my skin.

I can’t take it. I fall into the dark, black void. Swim in it. Let it wash over me. And the red is gone.