Nightmare Lover

Chapter 1 - He's back

A/N I haven't written a full-on fanfiction story since 2 maybe 3 years ago. So, I'm rusty. I would appreciate kind criticism, Thank you, and enjoy the story🙂. (I promise I'm nice!)

It has been 19 years since my nightmare. 19 years since I saw him. I can only remember those haunting words he said to me before I woke up.

"I'll be watching you brat! Try not to forget dear old uncle Freddy. It would be a shame if I had to cut up that little face of yours."

I still, shiver from his words. But the thing is, that's all I remember. I forgot what he looked like, what he felt like, how tall he was, I forgot everything but those words. I tried everything to remember at least a little. But, I guess my 6-year-old self was too afraid to even make a drawing of him.

I sighed as I stopped thinking about it. Right now I had to focus on this very persistent woman as she shrieked at me about talking to the manager.

"I'm sorry ma'am, but you can't return it without that receipt. You even took the tag off. I can't let you return this."

"THIS IS FUCKING RIDICULOUS I WANT TO SPEAK TO THE DAMN MANAGER. WHERE IS HE?"

"I already told you, ma'am, the manager is out sick. He won't be coming back until Thursday. You can come back Thursday to talk to him physically or you can speak with him on the phone." This was starting to get out of hand. I wish Brian was here so that he could talk to this damn woman and have her leave already. Why'd he have to get sick!

I gasped and stepped back as she slammed her fist onto the counter. I could tell that she was starting to get pissed off, her face was getting red and she about looked like she was gonna explode. I had to try and reason with her. But, before I could say anything the mall security came over. I sheepishly smiled at them and shrugged my shoulders as they looked at me. I heard one of them sigh and go over next to the woman.

"Ma'am please, you heard the young lady. You can't return this shirt without the receipt. She also told you that the manager is out. Would you kindly leave before you get into more trouble?"

"AS FUCKING IF. I AM NOT LEAVING UNTIL I GET MY MONEY BACK FOR THIS FUCKING SHIRT."

I groaned as she started to yell again. When will this end! I looked at the security and I silently pleaded to them to make her leave. The taller one smiled at me and started to guide the woman out of the shop. I sighed happily as they left the shop.

I heard shuffling behind me so I turned around quickly only to see my friend Evelyn. I made a show and sighed heavily, making her laugh.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't get here sooner babes. That seemed rough."
"It was."
"Well you should be lucky that the security got here before me, I would have given that woman a piece of my mind."
I smiled "Thanks, Evelyn."
"Of course babes. Once I'm done getting ready, you could leave."
I nodded as she left for the staff room to change.

She's a nice girl, been friends with her since after my nightmare. I didn't want to weird her out with my dreams so I never mentioned them to her. But, then again I was only 6. I always admired her looks and her personality. She's brave for her size, only being 5'0. She has long blonde wavy hair. Caramel skin and hazelnut eyes with a small tint of green in them.

I smiled softly and looked around the shop lazily, I watched as the customers walked around trying to figure out what they want, the other staff helping the customers that need it. It was a small shop. Owned by my friend's grandmother. She was a simple and kind woman. She loved the woods and her small cottage. She wanted to share that love by making a store from scratch. She was an amazing person, so kind to the customers, staff, her granddaughter, and...me.

She was the only one who knew about my nightmare, the only one to understand. She told me that the man in my nightmare was a bully, that he should be ashamed of what he did to those poor children. I never knew what she meant by that. I always tried to ask her, but she would wave me off and tell me that I was too young. Instead, she would always mumble about a man named Freddy when I would mention my nightmare. The name was familiar, but I had no idea who he was. She was a great woman, always protective of me.

I miss her.

She died later with a tumor stuck to her brain. They said they couldn't get it out without risking her life. We tried everything to convince her to take the risk and get the surgery. But, she told us that it was fine and that if it was her time to leave, then to let her leave. After that, not even a week later she passed. She was 90.

The shop is filled to the brim with quilts and pillows that she made herself. She also made candles that smelt like her small cottage. She would have us go out into the woods and find small trinkets or rocks, maybe even some cool leaves that she could preserve and sell at the shop. She didn't want everything to be overly expensive, so she made my dad promise her that he wouldn't sell anything over $50. The shop was made to look like a small cabin, with some armchairs here and there, a little place for kids to play while their parents shop, some books, and even a fish tank. It was homey.

I heard Evelyn come out of the room with a bright smile to greet the customers. She had a gentle soul just like her grandmother. I admire her for that.
I stretched as she walked over and heard her giggle.

"Go on, we have it under control here. Go and rest, you deserve it." Evelyn said with a soft voice.
"Thanks, Evelyn, I owe you one." I smiled as she gently punched me saying that there was no need. I shrugged and laughed as she puffed her cheeks out.

I left after we gave each other hugs. I waved goodbye to the staff and I started on my trek back to the large parking lot that the mall had. It was one of those layered parking lots that most malls have. I started to get confused and a little worried as I looked around. It's strange, it's usually busy by the time I get off of work.

But there is no one in sight, not even a moving car. It was also a little darker than usual. Maybe a storm was coming? Maybe that's why nobody was around? I stopped thinking about it and walked a little faster.

I rounded the corner as I saw my car and walked over to it. I was about to approach it until everything turned to ash around me. It happened so suddenly that I almost tripped. I caught myself on the hood of my car and that's when I had the chance to look around.

"What the fuck is this?" As soon as I asked that, I felt a familiar coldness on my shoulder. I looked down at my shoulder wondering what it was and gasped, I froze as I saw the familiar knife-like claws clutching onto me. There was a bit of blood from where the knives rested. I gulped as I looked more behind me and almost screamed.

"Hello, doll...did you miss me?" The man in front of me said with a growl. My eyes widened as I recognized who it was.

"Freddy...Krueger."

A/N I did some editing, so I hope this version is a bit better, let me know if you liked it!