The man was trudging like it was his last day alive. He wore all black clothes, that were too big for him. This man could touch the sun without lifting an arm. It was a day of freedom, yet he walked as if the heavy chains still cling to his ankles. Dozens of ravens sat on the ledge of the barred windows, trying to gnaw at the man.

An oak door came into view, he knew it led him to the outside, the sunshine was pounding on the door. His heart began to become hopeful, he smiled as he thought about his family. His family was waiting for him, they were behind the door! He started to run to freedom, when a cold hand grabbed his arm and yanked him down onto the cement floor. The guard picked him up like he was a useless sack of potatoes, and dragged him the opposite direction of the door.

He began to kick at the musty air, and tears began to stream down his warm face. The oak door became a ghost, vanishing within a couple seconds of sigh. Before his mine could comprehend what was happening, he was slammed against the stone wall of a cell. The guard slapped the gate shut. His eyes were not able to adjust to the darkness, no sound dared to upset the silence. His body ached, his feet were scratched, his back filled with fiery pain, and his mind turned numb.

The man woke up, praying that it was morning. His cell gate creaked ipen, and once again he was grabbed from his chamber. Suddenly, the ghost of the oak door returned into sight, this time he knew he was getting his freedom. Surely last night must have been a mistake! The prior night no longer mattered, today was the day he would see his family.

Once more, the oak door mocked him, the guard took him down the hallway that the codemned walked on their way to the gallows. In the distance he began to hear the hum of the violin. After the violin started playing, then the cello chimed in, and then the soft viola. He started to laugh with pleasure, surely his family payed an orchestra in celebration of his freedom!

He was carried into a room by his guard, where only the shadows of the night could be found. The music became louder, cresendoing as each measure passed. His children began to laugh as his wife approached hm. Though he couldn't see them, hearing their voices was like hearing angels sing for the first time. Her arms wrapped around his neck tight, almost like she was choking him. His son and daughter grabbed his hands and thrusted them behind his bacl. He smiled, knowing that his family was ecstatic to be with him and that he was minutes away from being out of a nightmare.

Suddenly, the music came to an abrupt stop, and his feet dangled in the air. Finally the man was out of his nightmare, and his eyes closed for the last time.