[Try to wake up.]

Hold on. This can't be happening. You know it. You can't be in danger. You knew it from the start. This couldn't be more obviously a dream.

Staring straight into the eyes of the furious nightmare, you grin defiantly.

The demon's scream rips at your consciousness as it is suddenly shredded by the void, its flames snuffed like a candle's and its vaporous body dispersed into the nothingness in an instant.

Then that nothingness drops away, and you are falling, as it laughs.

You jolt out of sleep with wide eyes, taking a moment to take in the familiarity and reality of your bedroom, and of the early morning twilight brooding behind the shades, before slumping back against your pillow, noting with exasperation the morning erection tenting the sheet and comforter.