The Vampire Nightmare

Chapter 1

I woke up with a scream lodged in my throat.

My chest rose and fell in ragged breaths as I stared at the ceiling above my bed. The room was dark except for the faint glow of my alarm clock.

3:23 a.m.

Again.

Every nightmare ended at exactly the same time.

I pressed a trembling hand against my chest, trying to calm my racing heartbeat.

"It was just a dream," I whispered.

The words had become part of my nightly routine.

I said them every morning.

I never believed them.

For as long as I could remember, the nightmares had followed the same pattern, a blood-red moon, a burning castle, a mysterious man with crimson eyes, and another with eyes as black as midnight.

None of it made sense.

I had never been to a castle.

I'd never met either man.

Yet the dreams felt less like nightmares and more like memories I wasn't supposed to have.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.

"Aria?"

My grandmother's voice drifted through the door.

"Are you all right, sweetheart?"

I quickly wiped the sweat from my forehead.

"I'm okay, Grandma."

"You screamed again."

Guilt settled heavily in my chest.

"I'm sorry."

The doorknob turned, and she stepped inside carrying a mug of warm chamomile tea. Her silver hair was tied neatly into a bun, and despite the early hour, her kind eyes were filled with concern.

"I heard you from downstairs."

She handed me the mug before sitting beside me on the bed.

"The nightmares?"

I nodded.

"The same one."

She sighed quietly.

"You've had them since you were a little girl."

"I know."

"Maybe it's finally time you talked to someone."

"A therapist?"

She smiled gently.

"It couldn't hurt."

I wrapped my hands around the warm mug.

If only it were that simple.

How could I explain dreams that felt more real than my actual life?

How could I tell anyone that I sometimes woke up with dirt beneath my fingernails or the scent of smoke lingering on my clothes?

No one would believe me.

Some days, I barely believed myself.

Grandma reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

"You don't have to carry everything alone."

"I know."

She kissed my forehead before standing.

"Try to get some sleep."

"I'll try."

After she left, I stared out my bedroom window.

The moon hung low in the sky.

For a split second...

It looked crimson.

I blinked.

It was gone.

Just an ordinary white moon.

I let out a nervous laugh.

"I'm definitely losing my mind."

My phone buzzed on the bedside table.

A message from my best friend, Lily.

Don't forget! We have Professor Hayes' lecture at nine. If you're late again, I'm telling everyone you secretly live in your dreams.

Despite everything, I smiled.

Only if you promise to save me a seat, I typed back.

She replied almost instantly.

Deal. See you tomorrow.

I set my phone aside and finally lay back down.

Outside, the wind rustled the trees.

Somewhere in the darkness...

A pair of crimson eyes watched my bedroom window.

And they had finally found me.