Exhausted from a day of emotional upheaval, I curl into a fetal position and drift off to sleep. Innocent thoughts of joy fill me. I dream about spending my future with the only woman I’ve ever loved and hope she feels the same way about me.

Without warning, a blood curdling moan slices through the air with exacting precision. It jolts me awake and provokes a response. I am scared and alone. Another maniacal groan follows, mixed with distressed screams pleading for the inflicted pain to stop. I feel both protected and suffocated by the blanketed darkness. Somewhere in the shadows lurks a nemesis waiting to strike.

Uncertain whether to remain in place or investigate the haunted shouts of despair, I take a step toward the sound and press my ear against the air. Labored breathing can be heard in the distance. Unable to locate its source, I step forward once more.

From out of the darkness, invisible hands grab a hold of me and push from behind. Powerless to fight off the attack, I close my eyes and pray for the ordeal to stop. No one appears to be listening. My captor guides me in a specific direction to a destination only they are aware of. After being shoved and throttled a bit, the manhandling subsides. I pass out.

A strange voice with a foreign accent calls out while he smacks me into consciousness. The muffled sound of laughter makes me feel mocked.

“Stop hitting me!” I cry out while swinging my fists.

My pleas are ignored as if no one understands a word I say.

I look around to get my bearings but the room is filled with lights so bright they blind my focus. It takes a few seconds to adjust my eyes to the unfamiliar surroundings.

When my vision clears, I see an unfamiliar man approaching. His hand grips tight a sharpened object. Assuming his intentions are ominous, I try to crawl away. A few seconds later, he severs my umbilical cord and delivers me into the waiting arms of my mother.