LUNA CRIMSON

THE DREAM

Chapter 7

SERAFINA

As we arrived at the Pack's mansion, I was taken aback by its sheer size and grandeur. The estate was enormous, dwarfing anything I had ever seen before or since.

Fenrir led me inside, where I was greeted by a multitude of faces - servants, bodyguards, and other pack members. The interior was adorned with exquisite heirlooms and furnishings, exuding a sense of warmth and welcome.

I didn't expect such a grand welcome; it made me feel different, somewhat special.

Fenrir guided me upstairs to a room he referred to as mine. I was astonished by the sheer scale of the suite - it was fit for a queen. I felt a strange sense of emotions, from gratitude and wonder to a hint of trepidation.

After showing me around, Fenrir left me to settle in. I decided to take a shower, hoping the warm water would clear my head and calm my nerves. As I stepped under the cascading water, I couldn't help but think about the events that had led me here. The strange creature, the eerie feeling, and now this opulent mansion. What lay ahead?

As I bathed, I sighed and gazed down at the water after about a minute in, watching as it swirled around my body. But then, I noticed something strange. The water, washing off my skin was slowly turning red. At first, I thought it was just my imagination, but as I leaned in, I noticed the red was deepening, becoming crimson hue-like.

My heart raced, realizing that the water was turning to blood. I felt a wave of fear wash over me, and I sprang out of the bathroom, naked and terrified. I didn't know what was happening, but I knew I had to get out of there.

But as I looked back, I saw that the water was clear again. There was no blood, no sign of anything out of the ordinary. I was confused and shaken, wondering if I had just imagined the whole thing. Something was wrong here; I could feel it, but what was it?

Just then, I heard a knock on the door. I panicked, not knowing who it was or what they wanted. I rushed back into the tub, grabbed a towel from a nearby platform, wrapping it around myself.

" Come in," I called out, trying to sound calm.

A servant entered, but I didn't look up, fearing they would see my distress. Instead, I tried to compose myself, as the servant quietly set down a tray of food on the table.

Once the servant left, I emerged from the tub, dried myself, and approached the table. To my surprise, it was laden with plates of food - roasted meats, steaming vegetables, and freshly baked bread. I had no idea who the servant was or how they knew I was hungry, but I was grateful for the sustenance.

After staying up all night reading a book, I closed the book and tried to sleep, but my mind was uneasy with thoughts of the strange occurrences I had witnessed since arriving at the Pack's mansion. The images haunted me - the blood-red water, the eerie feeling, and the luxurious yet unsettling atmosphere of the estate.

As I lay there, I couldn't shake off the sense of unease. It was as if my mind was trying to process everything, but couldn't quite grasp what was happening.

Eventually, exhaustion took over, and I drifted off to sleep without realizing it.

But my rest was short-lived. Waking up, I found myself standing in a massive desert, with furious winds and swirling sands that seemed to be everywhere at once.

"Somebody here?!" I screamed.

"Anyone out here? Get me out of here."

What exactly is happening to me? Am I going crazy?

I struggled to move towards the center of the desert.

As I drew closer, I saw something that made my heart race. A figure that seemed to be growing larger and larger. I pushed forward, despite the terror that gripped me.

But no matter how close I got, the figure remained elusive. It was as if I was stuck in an endless loop, never quite reaching my destination.

And then, I saw her. The goddess. But it was unlike any deity I had ever imagined. Her face was twisted in horror, with numerous mouths speaking in unison. She was crying, bloody tears rolling down her face.

As she turned towards me, I felt a scream building up in my throat. And then, she started walking towards me, running.

" No, no, no," I begged myself. "Run Sera, Run!"

"Don't let her reach me." I tried to scream, but my voice was trapped in my throat. I tried to run, but my legs were stuck in place. "Why can't I move?"

She came so painstakingly close to me and I could feel my heart in my throat.

But out of the blue; I woke up, gasping for breath. My heart was racing, and my sheets were drenched in sweat. It was just a dream.

A terrifying dream.

I couldn't sleep. not with the horror I had just witnessed. Still, I lay on the bed, hugging the pillows tight, as if that would snatch away the nightmare I just had.

****************

The next morning, I woke up to find someone standing beside me with a tray of food in her hands. It was the servant who had brought me food the day before.

"Good morning, miss; how was your night?" she asked, all smiles. My mind felt so full that I forgot to reply.

" I am Beverly." she continued.

"Serafina. Thank you for last night Beverly." I finally found my voice.

"Oh, that was my duty; taking care of you is my duty, Miss Serafina. Did you enjoy your night?"

"Yes, I did; thanks for your concern," I replied, attempting to get out of my bed, my legs gave way, and I tripped. The entire tray of food and tea went flying, covering the floor in a mess. I was mortified.

Beverly helped me up and urged me to sit back down. " Don't worry, miss," she said. " You need to rest."

She left to fetch another set of food and clean up the mess, while I sat there, feeling embarrassed and shaken. Once she returned, I ate quickly, trying to avoid eye contact.

After finishing my meal, I got dressed, deliberately avoiding the shower. I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease from the dream and the morning's mishap. Beverly seemed kind and concerned, but I couldn't help wondering if she knew more about what was going on in this strange place than she let on.