“Drop the gun!” A woman’s teary voice cried out, thick with fear, anger, and desperation. “Ed, please don’t… let me leave...”

Then a gunshot rang out followed by her shrill scream.

Eddie woke with a start, jerking upright so fast his vision blurred. For a moment he was still stuck in the dream world, and all he could see was the blood painting the walls and floors of the room.

He rubbed his eyes, his heart hammered against his ribs as he waited for the sensation to ...