The Ominous Gym: When Dreams Turn Terrifying
The gym was packed, but it wasn’t for a basketball game. It was dark, shadows in every corner. The air hung thick with the smell of sweat and something metallic… like blood. My heart hammered against my ribs, trying to escape through my throat. Then I saw him, Mark, looming in the center of the court.
He wasn’t just bigger than me, he was a monstrous shadow, his eyes glowing red in the gloom. His usual sneer was replaced by something feral, something that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. He was holding a… a chain? It glinted menacingly in the dim light.
Mark’s torment had plagued me for many months, making every day at school an ordeal. His relentless bullying, both physical and verbal, left me feeling small and powerless. Now, even in my dreams, I couldn’t escape his grasp.
A voice boomed through the gym, echoing off the walls and bounced around inside my head, “Where’s the little weasel?” It was Mark, but deeper, distorted, like he wasn’t even human anymore.
Alone with The Monster
Suddenly, everyone around me vanished. I was alone, trapped with him in the gym. His now imagined shape took a step towards me, like something out of a horror movie. Panic seized me, my breath catching in my throat. My legs felt like lead, frozen in place.
I wanted to scream, but no sound came out. All I could do was stare into those glowing red eyes, watching as his now ugly and distorted shape approached me. The metallic scent of blood intensified, swirling around suffocating me.
The Awakening
Then, I woke from sleep. My heart pounding against my ribs, sweat greasing my skin. It was just a dream, just a nightmare. But even as the fear receded, the image of Mark’s glowing eyes lingered, burning into my memory.
Did You Know
There is a strong link between chronic stress from recurring nightmares that may contribute to hypertension (high blood pressure). Studies show frequent nightmares can contribute to hypertension due to the physiological arousal triggering our “fight or flight” response during these dreams, potentially leading to sustained high blood pressure levels over time.
Because of the the brain’s heightened sensitivity, it could lead to a persistent state of arousal even when awake. If you have recurring nightmares, and your health is suffering it might be a wise move to seek help..
Image by Welcome to all and thank you for your visit ! from Pixabay
Note:
“This scenario is partly based on my own experience of junior school, until I lost my temper. It never happened again. The bullying I mean. I can still feel the first sting of the headmasters cane across my finger tips for fighting in the school-yard.” Ah well! that was life back then fShahd 2025).