Hope is the worst of all evils, for it prolongs the torments of man.

[Narcotic]

"Illusion is the first of all pleasures." a sweet and melodic voice whispers. The words rush through his thoughts like a waterfall out of needles, slowly penetrating the innermost spot of his head. Pain, warmth - his feelings are mixed. His corpse appears to be filled with a ice-cold liquid. Simultaneously the heat remains. Fever. "What is this mystery?! Show yourself!" his deep voice shouts frantically. Whereupon the female voice answers honestly: "The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible." The voice echos, becoming louder and repeating faster, until it finally turns into a disturbing singing. Suddenly it ends abruptly. "Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you." The voice died. Awakened.

I sweated heavily when I opened my eyes widely. "Just a dream." I said to myself, trying to calm down. From my left I've heard a dozy grumbling. "Sorry Nat, didn't meant to wake you up." I whispered. "Nightmares?" She mumbled. "Yes, hon. Paradoxically I've been dreaming of you." I laughed and stretched my legs. She fling her left arm round my naked chest, pulling me towards her warm body. "Of me? Couldn't have been a nightmare then, no? She glanced at me with a seductive smile. "But I'm seriously worried, my sweet." I replied frowning. "Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about." She gave me a shy kiss on my neck. "You're beating me. But I'm earnestly feeling sick." I rubbed my temples nervously. Natalie, obviously being annoyed, answered in a dominant sound: "Listen Ed. Nothing can cure the soul but the senses, just as nothing can cure the senses but the soul. Sleep is the best medicine, and my love is your elixir. Tomorrow you'll feel much better - believe me."