I folded my arms behind my head and gazed at the stars. If I floated high enough I’d escape the light pollution, making for one hell of a view of the nights sky. Thousands of twinkling lights peppered throughout the blanket of blue swirls above never ceased to amaze me. Everything was so sharp and in focus with these eyes, much unlike my physical ones that required corrective lenses.

After drinking my fill of the scenery I lazily flew through the air, twirling and spiraling like a drunken dove. I waved at a chubby tabby that watched me from below and giggled as it swiped a paw at me curiously. Nothing else could see me in this form when I’d astral project, but for some reason cats still could.

I started my ascension back to my house when a bright red glow caught my eye. It spilled out from farmer Dennis’ barn, illuminating the first row of corn in the field.

I drifted down and hovered just above the opening, my chest flat against the metal siding. I gripped the track of the sliding door and gingerly peeked my head through.

I could see farmer Dennis slumped down in a lawn chair with a moat of crushed beer cans around him. He was snoring loudly as blue grass music hummed over dusty speakers in the loft.

At first I wasn’t sure where the red glow was coming from but after I squinted my eyes a form began to take shape. A horrifying, twisted demonoid figure stood over him, twirling its contorted limbs over his body, hovering them just an inch or so from the flesh on each pass.

It was drinking in his aura, wafting the fog of his spirit into its mouth. I recoiled and gasped at the sight. It locked eyes with me, it’s yellowed pupils twitched as it’s black lips curled up into a sickening grin.

I pushed away from the barn and flew as quick as I could. Which was not nearly fast enough, when you astral project it’s more like a ballon floating through the air rather than a sparrow streaking through the sky. But with practice and focusing my energy I had learned how to flow a bit faster.

I didn’t dare look behind me but I knew it was on my heels. The red glow grew brighter and brighter on the ground beneath me. By the time I’d landed on my shingled roof I could hear the stamping of hooves smacking against the asphalt growing closer to my drive way.

I screamed silently as I breaststroked through my bedroom window. I could hear a pounding of footsteps coming up the stairs as I descended upon my body. The door exploded open just as I merged with my bones. I barely escaped.

I haven’t projected in weeks. I’m too scared to. I still catch a glimmer of red glow from the corner of my eye from time to time. He still hunts me, waiting.