Jacob’s Ladder

Action: Walking down the stairs
Word: Dream
Word Count: 89

Jacob’s Ladder

Manacled by cinder blocks, her dragging feet paused at the top landing. Gulping clear air, she fortified herself, knowing the murky sludge would rise to greet her as she descended the stairway. It would become difficult to breathe.

She pondered her next step.

If only she could decode the cryptogram of events that led to this moment. Figure out who the puppeteer was, pulling the strings, choreographing the ups and downs.

Would a different choice at any juncture have altered the trajectory?

Such an ugly nightmare, this beautiful dream.