[ cw ] write about the strangest/scariest/saddest dream you 've ever had in less than 200 words .

One night, half a lifetime ago, I found myself careening down a pair of iron rails in a midnight blue tunnel, not unlike a mine shaft; the hopelessness and unrelenting dread of the atmosphere ensured no fortune was to be found, though. Cell upon cell upon cell, some empty, some detaining nondescript and huddled occupants, silently blink past on either side of me. 
 
 Eventually, the tunnel spits me out. I can see my track disappear into an arc far in front of me. I am nearly at the top of a sky-scraping ampitheater, and the world I see is painted solely in thundercloud greyscale and that same terrifyingly deep blue from earlier: it's a diabolical confidence materialized. The sole performer is an absolutely titanic centurion, face obscured, brandishing a massive bullwhip. I do n't need to hear it to feel the oppression; I see what it must sound like, standing on a platform just barely large enough to display this *thing*. Under the massive leather-bound feet are inscribed the words: 
 
 WATCH 
 
 ME 
 
 RULE 
 
 To this day, the only remedy to the residual feeling of looking straight down under my feet in wide open waters is some beautiful sunlight on my face.
