I had a dream. I was smothered in smoke and warmth as if I were a blacksmith off duty. I then heard a growl, not of a dog or even a bear but something big. I could see the furnace and the flame inside and it was lashing fiercely towards me. Each lick of flame a warning and each flicker forcing my eyes to close. The heat was getting heavier and it blanketed me heavily into submission. The wood in the furnace cracked. Each crack alerting my ears upwards as if praying to the heavens. It got louder and louder. I could not move.

Crack!

I woke up startled. It was just a dream but the sweat was real. I was heaving for breath and my head was moist with perspiration. I was thankful that I was not dying or even burning in hell.

Crack!

I looked around to see if the ceiling was not caving in but alas it was not. Then I saw the egg. The ornamental egg I bought from a mysterious looking fellow at market. But sure as the fires burning my heart into rapid pulpitations, the crack in the egg widens and then I saw the eye of the creature look back at me.