Dream Of Death, by Eric Smith

I know what it’s like to die. One way, at least, but not the best exit for sure. Though tied in knots and screaming for forty-five seconds or who knows how long, this has to be the end; I can’t endure much more. I want either to jump off quick or to feel the knots loosen and hear the screaming stop so I can catch my breath. But neither happens as the pain and screaming—is that me?—continues. Finally, I wake up and everything has stopped. What have I experienced? Nothing? Something else? Maybe I died inside a dream.