full moon crisis

I wake up in the middle of the night, cold sweat engulfing me.
Light streams in the window, playful shadows dancing across my bed.
The full moon.
I sit bolt upright, fully aware of what will happen if I don't get to the clearing in time.
Pulling jeans over my hips with one foot in a shoe, I look at the clock.
1:30.
I'm almost out of time.
My feet pound the gravel as I sprint up the road towards the woods.
1:35.
Into the trees.
I leap over a fallen log, bound across the stream.
1:37.
A tree branch catches my shirt, tearing the thin fabric.
Still I run.
1:38.
Moonlight breaks through the dense foliage, temporarily lighting my path.
1:39.
My chest is heaving.
I can barely breathe.
Still I run.
Suddenly I catch sight of the clearing.
1:40.
I'm too late.
I fall to the ground, closing my eyes and waiting for the spasms to wrack my body.

Waiting.

Waiting.

Waiting.

1:41.
Impossible.
I'm still alive.
My eyes ease open of their own accord.
A shimmering silver hand appears above me.
I tentatively reach toward it.
The hands connect: the mysterious one and my own.
I feel myself being pulled up.
And up.
And up.
I look down to discover I am hundreds of feet above the clearing.
Steadily rising.
Which is when I realize:
my body has become the same shimmery silver of the mysterious hand.
What is happening to me?

sequel: "life in lights"