Ethereal Madness

Chapter 3- Glimmer Of Hope

There's no way I could possibly have nightmares six nights in a row, right?

That was the last thought I had before closing my eyes and being thrown into the same repetitive scene I've had to endure nearly every night the past month. By now, I knew every little action that took place, like it was a movie I'd rewatched a hundred times.

What made it so painful was how hyperrealistic everything was. The despair of the shackled Amazons, the ominous aura of the mysterious man they were being given to, the untrustworthy smirk my father shined; even when it came to emotions, the fear I felt as my father looked in my direction, how hard my heart was beating as I ran despite having nowhere in mind, and how heartbroken I was to find it out it was Mary who struck me.

Run faster! I'd yell at myself despite being a spectator in my past self's body. Move! As I did little more than stare once I learned Mary was my attacker.

It hurts, I thought. Why? Why would they do this to me? How did this happen? Despair filled my heart and if I could I'm sure I'd curl into a ball and remain there forever.

Someone help me, I murmured.

Mary raised her bat up as she's done so many times in the past.

Please, I don't want to feel this pain again. Not anymore.

Help me. Anyone!

Just as Mary's club had fallen and was ready to end me, everything had frozen, including my past self.

What is going on here?

I don't remember losing consciousness, but it felt like I had just come out of a daze. I rubbed my eyes with my hands, only to realize I could actually move my body now.

The first thing I noticed was that I felt warm. I was snuggled in a bed with heavy covers. I lifted my head up slightly from the soft pillow it was sunken in, and the mocha walls and sleek flat screen television before me gave a pretty good hint as to where I was.

Why am I here? This is...

Then, to my right, the door opened and a white-haired girl came out in her signature night gown, the only outfit I've ever seen her wear.

"Ória?" I asked.

Right, I have kind of been avoiding Ória. She's basically Miss Mya's other half as well as the one who watches over her and makes sure she doesn't go crazy with her actions. As for why I haven't been eager to meet her again...

Memories of our first encounters flooded my mind and I felt myself get stiffer.

She walked over and stared down at me, her mysterious strawberry pink eyes reminding me how foreign she looked.

"How are you doing Arthur?" She asked.

"I'm fine." I managed to let out.

She looked at me for a moment, before posturing to sit down, forcing me to scoot over. "You know Arthur, it's not good to lie. Especially to those who care about you."

"Huh? But I'm not lying."

"So you're saying you are okay with the current state of your life?" She glared at me but her expression didn't change.

"I-I can't say that." I admitted.

"I know you're not okay." She said calmly. "It's the reason you are here after all."

"What do you mean by that?"

"What do you mean what do I mean? Did you not call for help as you were suffering from a nightmare?"