Who Is Afraid Of The Bogey Man - 07 - Intermission

Monika, Arisha and me are walking on the long four-road street out of Wolfsburg. It is quite steep - steep enough to make an untrained bicycle rider breath heavily. Not really a problem, but steep enough, so that you cannot see, what is awaiting you at the top. To the left and to the right there is forest. In the eighties someone has raped and killed a girl here. The pedestrian´s path next to the street is under permanent construction somehow, so you have little enclosed areas with mini-building sites occasionally. There´s holes in the ground. And suddenly I am alone in the house of Monika´s parents. But it isn´t their house. The layout is different and it looks different. But I know, it is the house of Monika´s parents.
The lights are dim and it reminds me of a castle hall with candle light atmosphere from an old vampire movie. No cobwebs, though. I can hear Mozart. I don´t know the song, but it is Mozart - some chamber ensemble. In front of me a hall way and I know, it´s leading to the sleeping chambers. To the left another hall way - only a couple of meters long, with no obvious function. At it´s end there´s a little cupboard, victorian style. On it standing a picture frame with an oil painting; it is not put up the wall; merely leaning against it. It looks heavy - I would have problems lifting it most probably - about 30 x 20 inches. The dim light prevents me from being able to see the theme, so I walk closer. On first glance, it looks completely black. But if you are looking closer… you can see a black figure with a hooded cloak against dark-grey background. The figure is female and according to her face, she is stone-old. But her posture is proud and sublime.
And while I observe the picture, the music changes it´s tune. It becomes distorted, as if you would detune all strings at once. Also it becomes louder; uncomfortably loud. I know, I am in danger. I feel hatred, coming from the painting and I know, I have got to go. I turn around and quickly move along the corridor. I just know, something is going on behind me and I turn left down the hallway, sleeping quarters direction. I choose the first door and I can hear the sound of galloping animal feet. I step inside and while I am closing the door, I look down the corridor: around the corner shoots a huge, black dog at full speed, as big as a great dane. It´s legs are unnaturally thin and remind me of the Dáli-picture showing the elephants with the spider legs. We had it as a poster in the kitchen, when I was very little and I HATED it! It scared me terrible and I can feel the same fear now. The distorted music in my ears - the dog´s head is far too small for it´s huge body - only as big as two fists - and while I throw the door shut, the dog manages to jump through the gap at the very last moment, into my hiding room. I wake up.