CHAPTER SEVEN: FINALLY
1048 Words
Dream stood in front of an old, tarnished mirror inside a room that felt ancient.
The lighting was dim, shadows clinging to the corners like silent watchers. She didn’t recognize the place,but her reflection?
Her reflection looked haunted.
Suddenly, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Someone was behind her.
Her heart pounded.
Don’t turn around. A whisper inside her head pleaded. But the curiosity was stronger. Slowly, Dream turned, breath held.
And there he was.
The same stranger. Gorgeous in a terrifying way. His presence was heavy, like the air thickened when he appeared. Her breath hitched. Her thoughts became a whirlwind. Who was he? Why did her heart race every time she saw him, even in dreams? Why did it feel like she was being pulled into something bigger, darker?
His hand reached out, cool as winter. His fingers touched her cheek gently.
He leaned forward and whispered into her ear....
"Wake up."
"Dreeeaaam!" Francisca’s voice tore through the haze as Dream bolted upright in bed, gasping. Her heart still thudded like a drum. "We're late! Photography class!"
Dream groaned and rolled out of bed, dragging herself into the bathroom. She couldn’t shake the feeling the dream had left behind. The way he’d whispered to her… It had felt so real.
She showered quickly, threw on a pair of jeans and a black crop top, her curly honey-brown hair damp and sticking to her back. Francisca was already halfway out the door.
They sprinted across campus.
As they rushed down the corridor, Dream suddenly collided with someone.
Jessica.
Dream blinked. Jessica looked… off. Her eyes lacked their usual shine. Her skin was pale, even more than usual, and there were faint dark circles beneath her eyes.
"You okay?" Dream asked.
Jessica blinked slowly. "Yeah," she replied, flatly.
Their eyes locked. Ten seconds passed.
Then Jessica murmured, "Sorry for bumping into you," and darted off like a shadow slipping away.
Dream stood frozen. Something about that exchange unsettled her.
Later that evening, Dream and Francisca got invited to their first real college party. It was the kind of event everyone buzzed about, the semester kickoff bash.
Dream had never been the party type. She didn’t hate drinking, but she couldn’t handle it well. She wasn’t a lightweight per say, but she always ended up throwing up.
Francisca was over the moon though. "Come on! It'll be fun! We need this."
Dream gave in.
She wore a stunning red bodycon dress, simple yet bold, hugging her figure perfectly. She paired it with silver hoops, a delicate anklet, and strappy heels. Her curly hair cascaded over her shoulders, catching the light with every movement.
Francisca looked like a vision in a black corset top and deep purple leather mini skirt, her red hair styled up with golden clips. Her makeup shimmered like starlight.
The party was bigger than they expected. There were fairy lights strung across trees, loud music booming from hidden speakers, students swimming in the pool, drinking, laughing, and dancing. It was chaotic in the best way.
Francisca found her group of friends, and Dream stayed with them cause she hadn't made friends yet, which was annoying to her, but she wasn't the type to make friends easily cause she was always in her own head.
Dream found herself dancing, laughing, even sipping from the red solo cups passed around. She and Francisca were giggling uncontrollably by the time the liquor really started hitting.
Then it hit too hard.
"I think I’m gonna throw up," Dream muttered, face contorting.
Francisca, still laughing, grabbed her by the hand and led her inside the massive house. Upstairs, they found a bathroom. Francisca held her hair back while she threw up.
When it was over, Dream rinsed her mouth and face. Then Francisca went to get some water downstairs.
She stared at her reflection in the mirror, heart slowing down.
Then she felt it.
That feeling.
The same sensation of being watched.
More intense than ever.
She turned. No one.
She stepped out and looked around. Still nothing.
Then she moved toward the window.
And there he was.
Across the yard, near the edge of the trees. Watching. Always watching. But this time, his expression wasn’t unreadable it was worried.
Her breath caught. She didn’t think.
She sprinted out of the bathroom, down the stairs, past the loud crowd. Her feet pounded the grass as she made her way outside.
He turned and started walking.
Not running. Walking away. Calm.
Was she stupid for following? Probably.
Did she care? Not at all.
She followed him down a path that curved away from the party. It wasn’t too dark, nor too bright, just that eerie in between.
"Hey!" she yelled.
Her voice cracked. "Why have you been stalking me, huh?!"
He kept walking.
"I’m talking to you!"
He stopped.
So did she.
His back still to her. Her heart pounded. Was she trembling from alcohol, fear, or something else?
She stepped closer. One step. Then another.
Finally, he turned.
His face was just as she remembered—sharp jawline, piercing eyes, black hair tousled like he’d just stepped out of a dream.
And his voice.
A deep, velvety British accent.
"It’s finally nice to meet you, Dream."
Her breath caught again. "You....you know my name."
He didn’t answer, just took one step closer. The woods behind him rustled faintly. She could smell the sharp scent of night air and something earthy, almost ancient.
"Who are you?" she asked, voice unsteady.
"That’s a long story. One I’ll explain, but not here. Not now."
She blinked, drunk and confused. "Then when?"
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. Actual parchment.
He held it out.
"Everything you want to know... starts here."
Her fingers brushed his as she took it. Cold, just like in the dream.
"You’re not crazy, Dream. But you are in danger. My Job is to protect you at all costs, that was your dad's final wish to me"
My dad.......
Then, he vanished.
Not walked away. Vanished.
Gone.
She was left alone under the moonlight, her heart hammering, breath shallow, eyes wide.
And in her hand—the letter that might explain everything... or destroy everything she thought she knew.
- Writer
