Believer

Prolouge

I stood there in the halls of my house again. I've been through this too many times to count. The same nightmare, over and over again. So, I just went with it. It's bound to have the same ending again.

As I said, it should have been the same. Which was why I came to a shock when the scenery shifted into a bedroom. Whilst this bedroom, my bedroom, has always been a part of this dream, I've never reached it this fast. I'd usually be walking down a seemingly never-ending hall to reach the room. Well - guess there's always a first time for anything.

I prepared myself for the worst part, as I looked down unwillingly, pushed by an invisible force. Lying there, was someone I've known for long. My mom. She died on this very night.

The last expression she wore on her face was of complete terror, her eyes gone wide, her mouth opened as if screaming. Her skin was pale - too pale, that it looked as if she hasn't been out in the sun for years.

I remembered every single detail. My room tossed and turned upside down as if a hurricane decided to stop by. The temperature, freezing. My room could've been used as a literal fridge at that point. But, other than that, everything looked just like I left it that very morning on my way to school. It felt surreal. Everything did.

So, maybe it is more of a memory, but, with a twist and a dreamlike feel. However, this time - something's off. Everything played out the same but, there's just something that doesn't fit well.

As the thought passed me, I then realized something. My mom was no longer in an unnatural position as I had found her. She was lying on the floor peacefully, her hands folded neatly across her chest, similar to how she sleeps. It was confusing - but, something about this made it all feel lurid.

I didn't realize that I may have started hyperventilating. My hands were shaking uncontrollably, my whole body starting to sweat. It was a dream. I for one, know this fact. It's just a figment of imagination mixed with your thoughts and your memories. But, no matter how many times I deny it. This was just too real. I felt conscious. I was awake in a dream.

To add it up, my mom had a peaceful smile on her face. It may have given me a sort of calming and familiar sense. Instead, I started shivering, chills running down my spine. The longer I looked at it, the more eerie it got. Then I realized something else - breathing. She was breathing. Peacefully.

I could hear it. Inhale. Exhale. Echoing through the room. Then, it started to sound off. Like, a deep growl. It got louder. All I could hear was the growling. I feel it surrounding me - watching me. I instinctively covered my ears, bending over. "Make it stop! Please! Make it stop!" Surprisingly, it did. Complete silence.

In a blink, she disappeared. Another blink, and I'm in the void. An endless, pitch-black, void. Then, I was down. On the floor? Is there a floor?

I was pinned down. Paralyzed. Unable of speech. I tried writhing, shaking, anything to set me free. I still lied there, like a rag-doll. You know the Toy Story challenge, "Andy's coming"? That's what I felt.

Flash after flash of images came towards me. A beautiful day at the park. My mother's smile. The laughter of my friends after a joke. The smell of Thanksgiving dinner at a family gathering. Darkness. Isolation. Emptiness.

Growling.

The same deep growling.

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I woke up on my bed, drenched in cold sweat.

It was 5.00 a.m.

School day.

That was unexpected.