Once in a dream

Once, in a dream, I was a young man in ancient China.

The walls were covered with Chinese paintings and a stunning young woman stood near in a light pink ancient Chinese dress. We spoke without sound and understood, though I’m not sure what I understood. I said something––something about a trick I’d been working on. As if from a distance, I watched myself pull out a sword and plunge it into my throat. Suddenly, I was the young woman. I didn’t feel anything for the body bleeding out on the ground before me. The blood stained the floor.

I took a step back to avoid tainting the fabric of my skirt.