Melissa woke up with a jolt, her chest heaving as if she'd been running. The vividness of the dream left her gasping for air. Sweat clung to her body, and for a moment, she couldn’t distinguish between reality and the nightmare that had just gripped her. Her mind raced, her heart pounding. Checking the time, it was 2:30am but when she glanced to her side, relief washed over her. There was Pearl, fast asleep, her little body wrapped in peaceful slumber.
Melissa let out a shaky breath, her hand instinctively brushing a strand of hair from Pearl's face. She smiled softly, finding some solace in her daughter's presence. Still, the unsettling feeling gnawed at her. Quietly, she slipped out of bed and headed to the bathroom. The cool tiles under her feet did little to calm her nerves.
Staring
