I saw my friend the other day and I don't know
Exactly just what he became
It goes to show
It wasn't long ago
I was just like you
And now I think I'm sick and I wanna go home

\****/

Screams filled the air as yet another wave of squirming, writhing tendrils washed over her head, each glistening and dripping red slime. Though they came so close, not a single one touched her, each one dissolving before it reached her. She had long forgotten where the floor was supposed to be as she twisted and contorted in the blackness. The sound of swinging blades next to her ears; the relentless mocking laughter that seemed to be coming from a million different directions; and the screws tightening, squealing, meaningless noise in the darkness surrounded her, filling her head.

Devi had experienced this dream before, practically every night now. Though she recognised it, none of the fear ever dissipated. Every single time, even though by now she knew exactly what was going to happen, it never failed to terrify her. Perhaps it was because she knew the dream so well that it scared her so much. The pressure and anticipation was scarier than anything the dream could throw at her.

But this time, something was different, the scene was changing. The tentacles were moving away, and Devi no longer felt as if she were falling. In fact, she felt a hard surface under her back. She placed both of her hands on the floor and pushed herself up. Slowly, warily, she stood up. Now there was no light and no sound. Completely blinded, Devi refused to grope around in the cold darkness, lest she reach out and touch something horrific. Frozen in the blackness, Devi stayed for what felt like hours.

As suddenly as the tendrils had disappeared, a light appeared in the distance. Still reluctant to move, Devi considered whether or not she was imagining this small ray of light. She decided that she would get nowhere just standing still. Inhaling deeply, she took a step towards the speck. Surprised, Devi found that she had not fallen into some dark abyss and that the light was still there. Exhaling, she looked behind her and to both sides before she ran towards the one distinguishing feature of this endless place.

God, how she ran; her heart racing, her skin covered in goosebumps and her lungs screaming in her chest. She kept running, terrified that if she stopped the light would be extinguished. As she got closer to the source, she saw that it was an industrial lamp, hanging on a cord from some high up invisible ceiling. Under the light was some sort of contraption Devi couldn't make out yet.

Devi stopped, unsure of whether or not to continue. The light was looking less and less inviting, but the oppressive blackness on all sides urged her forwards. She took another hesitant step forward and a scream erupted into the air. Devi jumped backwards, screaming herself. Although she still couldn't make out the device, she realised that someone was trapped inside and obviously very scared. Devi knew that she had to make a decision: run back into the darkness and possibly have to face the tentacles again, or head towards the light and possibly get dragged into some hideous trap. Either way looked bleak, but if there was any chance of saving the person hooked up to that machine, Devi knew she had to help.

As Devi walked towards the light, every couple of steps another scream echoed through the darkness, each time making Devi regret her decision. As she got closer she began to recognise the glint of sharp metal on either side of the man, who seemed to be buckled to a long, thick pipe. The person's head was hanging down and Devi didn't recognise him. Approaching the machine, Devi could now see the entire machine clearly. It was horrific: on either side was a row of long, sharp spikes aligned exactly where the man's body was, two knives were aimed at the head, and two extremely long blades were positioned on the floor, pointing at the man's abdomen.

'Oh god!' Devi cried, her head in her hands.

The man lifted his head and screamed again. Devi looked up, and realisation dawned on her... it was Nny. Shackled to the horrible death machine before her was the man who tried to kill her so many months ago. He screamed again, but this time it was not wordless noise. It was clear and loud and it struck her heart like an arrow.

'DEVVIIIIIIII!' the man screamed, pleading for mercy.

Although Devi's head was screaming bloody murder, her heart urged her onwards. She took a small step forwards, and then another. Slowly the distance between the machine and the girl began to close. She was about ten metres away from him when she stopped for once not of choice. As soon as she took a step forward, it was as if the machine moved a step away. Devi tried running but the distance refused to shorten. If anything, Nny seemed to be getting further away.

'DEVVIIIII!' he screamed again, and Devi began to cry as she tried to run faster.

'Hold on!' She shouted as Nny moved further and further into the darkness. The light was flickering and Devi felt the hot sting of tears down her face. 'Don't go! Come back!'

Devi heard one final scream, a click of cogs then a terrible ''KKCHNK''.

'NNNYYYYY!' Devi screamed as the blackness overwhelmed her again. She awoke screaming; clutching her pillow and dripping with sweat.