Chapter 005
1007 Words
Chapter 005
Millie's POV
The penthouse was too quiet at night.
It felt like a cage despite all the gleaming furnishings, the immaculate floors, and the shiny objects. I felt as though I needed to sprint and forcefully break through the walls in order to breathe. So I did.
walked out barefoot. Put on a hoodie. No guards were in sight. Perhaps they simply didn't care, or perhaps they did. Regardless, I kept driving until I arrived at the other side of the city, my hands trembling violently and my heart pounding throughout the entire journey in that questionable taxi.
I detested the constant itching in my skin, which felt like something was trying to scuttle out of me.
The third floor of a dilapidated brick building housed my former studio. I loved that no one really came here anymore. No cameras. There was no inquisitive gaze. No, Luca.
The door smelled the same as I pushed it open: paint, dust, and a faint metallic odor. It smelled like old brushes that had dried blood on them.
I froze after turning on the lights.
I had visited this place before.
I had partially covered my unfinished final painting when I left. The moon is red. I depicted a black wolf with silver eyes. In front of him stood a girl with bloody hands raised, palms up.
I couldn't recall painting it.
I don't even recall considering it.
I glanced down at my hands. The nails had a red discoloration.
No, that isn't feasible. It's been days since I touched a brush.
I grabbed a blank canvas, yanked off the tarp, and dropped my bag. My fingers moved spontaneously, dipping into purples, blacks, and deep greens.
I didn't paint. I spilled blood on it.
My thoughts were scattered throughout the room.
A girl emerged from the woods. The boy's eyes were filled with fire. A blade pierced my flesh.
I twitched my wrist. I let the brush fall.
No. No, no, no. I'm not like that. That did not occur.
My stomach twisted and my head spun. I staggered back, collided with the wall, and slid to the ground.
What's going on with me?
Make a knock.
I blinked.
I heard another knock.
I remained silent in the hopes that whoever it was would simply disappear. Nobody was aware that I had arrived here. Not even—
The door opened with a creak. A woman entered slowly and calmly. She wore a long black coat, a tight bun, and no smile.
"Millie," she murmured. "You appear worse than I anticipated."
"Who the hell are you?"
"Dr. Ellie Price is my name. For weeks, I've been looking for you.
"All right, eerie stalker vibes. Get out of there."
"I'm not here to harm you. I'm here to assist you in remembering."
"Remember what?"
She moved in closer.
"Who you truly are."
The world began to tilt once more at that point.
I got to my feet quickly. "Leave."
"You have been creating dream paintings. locations you haven't visited. individuals you've never met."
"You're unfamiliar with me."
"I am sufficiently knowledgeable. I've spent years researching people just like you. You're not alone.
I chuckled. Out loud. Sharp.
"Is this a memory experiment from science fiction? Am I now possessed? Do you intend to suggest that I am a witch?
She said, "No," and her voice trailed off. "But you were."
I gazed at her. "What?"
"Millie, you've lived before. You also passed away earlier. And now you're recalling."
After blinking at her, I looked at the painting behind me. The girl, dressed in red, caught my attention.
"I don't trust you."
"You're not required to. However, you will.
I grabbed the doorknob. "You must go." Now."
She remained motionless. She simply gazed at me as if she could see right through me.
"You believe that Luca saved your life. But you forgot because of him.
My hand left the doorknob.
"What did you say?"
"You have no faith in your dreams. However, you should have faith in your dreams, as the truth is demanding attention.
"You're lying."
"Then describe the wolf in your artwork."
"I can't even recall painting that."
"Exactly."
I inhaled nervously. My throat ached. "What do you want from me?"
"Listen to me. Before it's too late, I want to help you remember."
"I'm not insane."
"No. However, you are in danger.
I gazed at her. I had a dry mouth.
"And Luca?"
Her gaze grew softer. "He is not who you believe him to be."
"Why are you telling me all of this?"
"Because you will soon begin to lose time," losing time. Faces will become hazy. Voices will reverberate. And you'll lose your identity once more."
I held on to the wall.
She lowered her voice even further. "You've been marked."
I took a swallow. "Marked by what?"
"By whom?" she clarified. "Someone has claimed you."
All of a sudden, I was out of breath.
stated.
Like fingers on my skin, the word held on to me.
My back smacked against the canvas behind me, smearing my hoodie in black and red.
I glanced down.
It wasn't paint.
Blood was involved.
Mine?
I made contact with my abdomen. No injuries.
"How can I stop it?"
"You don't," she stated. "You make it through."
Suddenly, she turned and walked away. Behind her, the door creaked.
There I stood. Shaking.
The experience went beyond eerie artwork or strange dreams.
Something—someone—was pursuing me.
In my pocket, my phone buzzed.
An unknown phone number sent me a message.
With him, you're not safe.
I let the phone drop from my grasp.
returned to the canvas.
The girl had vanished.
Instead of her—
Me.
glowing eyes. Grinning.
It wasn't my smile, though.
Was there someone else in the background?
Luca.
observing.
Awaiting.
He acted as though he knew everything I didn't.
What if my adversary has been sleeping next to me?
What if he already has me?
What if I had no options at all?
- Writer
