Nightmare

Chapter ONE

Darkness…all I could see around me , so scary yet so calming…… 

Suddenly I woke up with a sharp pain through my whole body, I was paralyzed for a moment, hardly trying to get up and keep my balance, not paying attention to my surroundings. Then I realized I wasn’t home, or, anywhere I know. I was in the middle of a field, hearing the birds chirping and barely catching the sun rising over the mountains. It was such a mesmerizing view, indeed, it was. I looked around, the field was full of fragrant flowers I’ve never seen or smelled before. And the air, fresh and cold. There was a forest ahead, and behind it, big peaks covered in snow. But what caught my eye was the sky. I swear the beauty of it was beyond my words. It had a pinkish-blue shade with surreal clouds, that were sparkling, perhaps, it was just my imagination… I gathered myself and decided to explore this land.

                                                                      ***

I arrived in a small village, that, from the first view, it was like it was torn from a fantasy movie, like, for real. And then it hit me, I knew I was dreaming , but why does this dream feels so real? As I kept questioning myself and walking unconsciously I felt someone’s eyes on me. I turned right away and, there was no one. I felt uneasy. Again, my mind is playing tricks on me. Great, now I’m being paranoid. I was taken by surprise when I heard a long and strong roar. What was that? What did just happen, and why no one is reacting to this, or, maybe, am I the only one who heard it …. I snapped it out of my mind and kept searching the place. I saw villagers selling creatures I’ve never seen before, some of them were so big and creepy, the other ones were so fluffy and cute. I tried to pet one of them but it instantly showed its fangs and claws, soo... I took that as a no. People out there were wearing some medieval clothes with some sort of ornaments on them. Red designed flags were on each of the small buildings. I didn't notice that people were staring at me for some reason. Was it because I was dressed differently from them? Was it because they sensed that I’m not from here? Maybe I’m just overthinking. 

I entered what looked like to be a small antic shop and started examining its items: swords, feathers, crystals, amulets...

'I’m sorry young lady, how can I help you?' I heard a voice from the shadow.

' Oh, I’m just looking around .' said I.

The man from the shadow revealed himself. He was old, dressed in baggy clothes, middle stature with a long beard that reached his chest, he seemed pretty harmless, but you never know what hides within the appearance. We stared at each other for some seconds, utterly I decided to break the silence, but he went ahead :

' What’s your name, young lady? '

 'Uh..umm... Raven . ' hesitantly I responded.

Just when I was about to ask him something, I heard footsteps coming from the outside. They were so loud and strong that you could say it was a whole army coming. I sneaked my head to feed my curiosity but was pulled back by that man. ' What the ...? '

In a blink of an eye, he closed the door and locked it. I was about to protest when he muttered :

'Stay still if you want to live .'

'….L-live? '

What on earth is happening here? Who is this man? Is he trying to help me? A wave of fear captured my whole body, my mind felt like it was about to explode. 

, Stay here and don’t move an inch, I’ll be right back .' 

With that said, the unknown man disappeared. I was waiting patiently, like a puppy who was loyal to his owner. All of a sudden I heard a loud noise. I rushed to see what happened and right there froze. The old man’s dead body was laying on the ground. I gasped, but not dared to scream.

'There you are .‘

Facing the voice behind me, I started to tremble. That someone’s presence was draining my energy, I was feeling so helpless. I saw a tall woman wearing a big black velvet hat. She was dressed in a long dress with sleeves that reached the floor. Her hair was ash brown with some red strands. The woman blew some kind of dust in my direction. Before I could proceed what was following, everything went blank…                                                          

                                                         *** 

My head ...It hurts so bad ...the smell ..' What’s this stinky smell?’ I came back to my senses finding myself on the icy floor . 'Where am I ?, What’s this place?' Again questions kept coming to my mind. 'Ok ok, calm down,  relax, you’re still alive you didn’t die .' I mumbled to myself. 'Now think. Where are you? How did u end up here? Think.Think.Think .' I was gasping for air continuously, this place was suffocating me. 

I got up and attempted to observe the environment. I was in a dark room, more like a prison cell, if I  can say so. The lockup was pitch black itself, the only thing I could do, was to hear the prisoners’ voices, no, their loud painful howls, begging to be set free, to be killed instead of being kept here. After some minutes I couldn’t take it anymore, their screams were driving me nuts. I crawled into a corner and started sobbing. 'Was this the end? Is this how I’m gonna die? No, stupid me, it’s just a dream let’s just wake up .” I tried to but failed. Suddenly someone grabbed my leg, I immediately jerked it off and started screaming so loud in hope for someone to save me from here, but no use.

 'I didn’t mean to startle. ' a child’s voice echoed through the cell.

' W-who are you? ' I demanded. 

' I don’t know anymore. I’ve been here for an eternity.'

' Eternity? What do you mean by that ?'

' Help me, please, I’m so scared ...” I heart the child crying.

Instinctively I rushed to hug him, to assure him he’s safe, as I’m used to doing with my younger sibling. As I tried to reach my hand to him, I saw a pair of red eyes shining in the dark. I backed right away. Something isn’t right here.

'' Please help me, it’s so dark right here, please come closer.”

'' No.” I firmly said.

'' You have some guts, don’t you? “ I heard a man's voice instead of the child's.

He was approaching me from the dusk, his eyes never leaving my gaze. Swiftly he urged to catch me. He hooked my hand and something sharp pierced my skin. I yanked it screaming in agony. The pain was unbearable. I looked at my hand, the flesh was damaged, the blood was flowing on the ground. ''s**t, it hurts .''

''  Blood, blood, give me all, GIVE ME ! '' he yelled like crazy.

I ran to the cell’s bars, he went after. That’s it, I closed my eyes and hoped for the worst but he didn’t reach me. The only thing that kept him from getting to me, were the chains. ''Thank God .''  I gladly exhaled.  

After some time he calmed down and return to his dark corner. To stop my bleeding, I ripped a piece of fabric my cloth and carefully covered it. '' That’s better.''I smiled.

This place was depicted from a horror movie, it gave me goosebumps and cold chills. I have to collect myself, I need to escape from here.

'' You can’t, it’s useless .'' a voice spoke.

'' What? Did I just hear someone speaking? Oh gosh, I’m going crazy.'' 

'' No you’re not, I’m right here. '' this time I heard the voice in real life.

A petite silhouette appeared from the other cell. 

'' Can-can you read my mind ?'' I shuttered nervously.

'' Partly,'' he answered.

The figure stepped closer. I noticed his body, he was dressed in what seemed to me was some sort of pajamas and a long cloak behind it, his hands were handcuffed. He had blonde and green eyes, I couldn’t help but stare for a while. 

 ''Raven ?” 

I heard my name. '' How do you know that ...oh, right the thing with mind-reading.”

''What’s this place? Where are we? Why we’re here? Who are you ?” I endlessly kept asking

'' Iskandar, now stop it, enough “ he said. '' I can help you get out of here but you  have to do something for me too .”

'' Why the hell should I trust you? How do I know you’re not one of those weird creatures ?”

'' Please, you have to trust me, I saw, you are one of us.” he pleaded.

'' Us?” 

Several individuals appeared from other cells, their appearances reminded me of some sort of wizards and witches yet they seemed to be just as normal as I am ... I don’t know anymore what to think of. 

Who are all these people? Why am I among them? Do they hunt us? For what ?” Anything just doesn’t make any sense.

''Raven, there is no time for questioning.” 

''Why don't you do it yourself'' I sarcastically asked.

''I can't ...'' his glare suddenly became sad.

''Why not ?"

''They're keeping my little sister here, I know for sure, but don't know where..''

''Fine, what do you what ?” I sighed, giving up with my interrogation.

''You to break free. ''  When you get out of the cell, find the room with weapons, there will be a wooden door, go through it. Go into the forest and run till you find the river after you cross it you will be safe. But be aware of the man with the red cloak. Don't ask questions, just stretch your arm and do as he says. Don't you dare look him into the eyes, otherwise he will take your soul.  Keep this in your hand all the time, this will help you find the right path.

He gave me a small ring and I instantly put it on my finger.

I hesitated. 

'' Please, you have to trust me .”

''What should I do ?” I demanded.

''You have to break the chains of the one you’re in the same cell “.

'' What ??? Are you nuts? He almost killed me !”

He took a necklace out of his pocket and threw it into my direction.

''Put the necklace on him, he won’t touch you, when the change guards will come to your cell, rip it off and get out of his way, he’ll attack them and you’ll be able to run away “.

I did as he said, anyway I had no other choice. It was hella challenging to put the necklace on him, I struggled but managed to. He instantly calmed down. I took a stone and started hitting the chains until they broke. To my surprise, he didn’t move at all, like he was waiting for a command. Everything was done, now we have to wait.

After what felt like years, I heard footsteps coming to our cell, the guards were here.

The moment They opened the cell I ripped the necklace, the beast jumped on the guards and I used my chance to run away. The corridors were never-ending. So many doors, which one is right? I entered a room full of weapons: swords,  arrows, dagger knives, just like back in times. I  moved my head to the left and saw a wooden door, maybe this is the exit? I opened it and almost collapsed. Bodies ... dead bodies laying on the floor. Judging by the smell, some were here for a long time, others maybe just... ''Snap it out, you have to get out of here'' I told myself. Keeping myself from not throwing up, I made my way through the sinister place. I was out of sigh but finally saw the light at the end of the room. I managed to find the exit in this endless maze-prison.

As soon as I got out, I started running so fast like my life was depending on this, I started hoping for better, for finding the way home and waking up from this nightmare. The soldiers were already chasing me through the dark forest. I couldn’t see where I was running, it was so dark, my heart was beating like crazy, I have never been so determined in my life to reach somewhere like I am now. Fear, anger, frustration was boiling inside me. I have to get there, I will,  I can’t give up, not now. Suddenly I heard shooting sounds. Guns??   ''Oh no, gosh, I have to hurry “ 

-,,Aim ,shoot !!!” I heard a voice shouting. 

Arrows and guns kept firing at me. I got shot in my shoulder. The pain was terrible, It felt so real, like being shot in real life. I started crying and running in no directions. I didn’t know where I was going anymore. ''Oh god please, I can’t anymore, I want to go home. Please, someone, hear me out!'' I fell on the ground. Suddenly I heard my mom shouting, she was at home, I knew I was dreaming, but why I can’t I wake up? ''Mom! Mom! Please wake me up from this nightmare! Can you hear me !?” It was no use, she won’t come, my body can’t move at all .....

'' No, I won’t break, I’m braver than this, I’ve risked it all ...and ...now  .. '' I felt dizzy. The soldiers were slowly approaching me. As I was about to blackout, I heard the river’s rippling sound. ''I’m so close, I’m almost here, Come on, you’re a fighter you can’t give up, not now “. I gathered all my strength and ran towards the river. I got in the water, it was over my legs, but I could cross it. The soldiers appeared on the side of the river while I was struggling to cross it. They aimed their arrows and rifles, Shoot!” I closed my eyes. It’s the end ...

Nothing happened, the bullets just disappeared. They were confused.

'' Get her! Now !” Several soldiers got in the water, I hurried to the other side but when I turned my head backward, they just ...vanished. I didn’t know how I felt at that moment, either happy or stunned. 

'' I’m safe, I’m finally safe.''

As I was catching my breath, a man in a red cloak appeared right in front of me. As I was about to say a word, I remembered Iskandar's words. Without looking him in the eyes I stretched my hand. The man in the cloak took out a small knife. I was startled but didn't restrain my arm. He took my hand and made a small cut on it. I gasped.  

''Red." he said '' Follow me.'' 

 Suddenly, couldn’t believe what I saw, one of the soldiers was fearlessly crossing the river. ''B-but how? How can he? Why nothing is happening  to him ?''

Something about that soldier made me shiver in fear. I just stood there, frozen. ''Run you dumbass, why are you staying here ???” But I couldn’t, my body won’t just move.

As he was approaching me, he took off his sword. With a swift move, he slew the red cloak man. I could see his tall and well-built body. His dark as coal hair was shining in the moonlight. Those eyes, were bloody cold, almost like glass, emotionless, but at the same time, they were burning. Burning with fierce...

He stood right in front of me, for a moment I forgot how to breathe....he smirked.

Straight away, the sharp blade struck my chest. A big puddle of blood was forming. I tried to take a closer look at my murderer but couldn't as my body was slowly giving up. I noticed a small tattoo on the right side of his neck.

''Sleep well “ he said, and after everything went dark again.

I woke up in tears, screaming and shivering like crazy. My mother rushed in, I hugged her so tight trying my best to calm down. '' It was only a nightmare, I’m alive, I’m here “ I said to myself.   She kept reassuring me that everything is fine, I’m home, it finally ended.

    ......But who knew this was only the beginning of the actual nightmare .......