Nightmares

I have had the same nightmare for three nites running. I am driving down a road in the city and stop for a stop light in the turn lane. A man is walking across the street, looks at me then lunges through the passenger window asking for a cigarette.

I tell him no.

He lunges grabbing me around the neck and I return the gesture but I also step on the gas and start pounding his face with my other fist while driving with my knee.

A cop gets behind us with lights and sirens but the guy won't let go. So I squeeze his throat harder and poke at his eyes. He screams when I hit my target and lets go of me. But I hang on because do not want to let him get away.

I slam on the brakes and the cop pulls up on the passenger side and grabs the guy - he tells me to let go but I can't - my hand is frozen. The cop pulls harder and I know it appears to him I am trying to kill the guy. He tells me to let go or he will shoot. I yell NO, don't shoot but then the guy does.

I still have him by the throat but I look down and see a red stain spreading across my chest. I look up and I see an old friend turning blue then I hear another shot and he goes limp and I wake up in a cold sweat.

It seems so real.