Blood and Snow

I awake to a splitting headache and the freezing cold,

and realise I'm surrounded by blood splattered snow.

This frozen wasteland is awaking my fear.

"Why does my head hurt?

How did this blood get here?"

I put my hand to the back of my pounding skull.

As I pull it away I see what I'd feared.

I drag myself to my feet and start running.

Unbeknownst to me is why, or where.

Confusion overwhelms my jarring fear.

"Why am I not dead? I shouldn't be here!"

My hand is covered with my own blood and brains,

yet I am sprinting like I was never slain.

Then standing before me I see myself with eyes

alight!

Halting, I stand and stare at what cannot be.

Is this mirror I see a reality?

I stride towards me and I see myself smile before

fading away just out of my grasp.

I hear a wolf howl in the distance on the blizzardy air,

and see a forest faintly through the fog appear.

Numbly I make towards it without hesitation.

Nothing concerns me about my destination.

As I grow closer there's a turn on the wind,

my footsteps inaudible beneath the din.

Breaching the first trees,

the wolf I heard stands before me.

It pads towards me with intent in its eyes,

and as I gaze at it, it speaks to me.

Wise are its words and deliberately spoken.

It claims that I'm a victim of possession!

I feel my demon rise and take over control.

Breaking skin, my ribs burst forth.

Searing pain fills my body.

Unwilling, I try to hold back the beast deep in me,

try to fight it!

I hear the demon voice fill me head,

and, chilling, it says:

"War with a demon is one you can't win so give it up.

You're dead!"

My mind sighs... And thus I die.