ELARA
"Elara."
Like winter air on coarse skin, a voice whispered into my ears featherily. I turned in my sleep, deciding it was only in my head or perhaps an elusive dream.
"Elara." It came again, this time more audible than the last. When I was yet to dismiss it, it added, "Come to me, my dear child." Like a phantom, it beckoned eagerly, and then an ominous scream tore into the quiet night.
My eyes snapped open into emptiness, gazing steadily into the pitch darkness, which left an frightening feeling in my gut. Moments later, goosebumps broke out on my skin.
Then, like an automaton, I sat up and looked around skeptically, as if expecting something to jump out at me from the mattress, which I noticed was soaking wet. Shakily, I touched my forehead and made contact with liq
