Machina

Inspired by a Nightmare

First telling: Innocence

I awoke and stood across two bodies. The first made of twisted shadows and coiled snakes; the second beamed of light and radiated warmth. Both apparitions beckoned me with merely their presence. I stood affixed; eons masked as moments. I approached the angelic being and ignored its terrifying companion. The light brightened and called me closer. A faint notion of myself remained to try and comprehend my mistake:

The being of light opened its eyes, ink black and full of rage. Mouth parted, jaw unhinged. Fear and regret set in, for I chose the greater of two evils. It swallowed me whole, and I waited to wake again.