DREAMY TALES

Arylie || Aracunum: The Terror ||

Tuesday, 8:47 AM, Rathore Mansion

Rupi handed a stack of files to Aryan. "Look, Aryan, here are Imile's prescribed prescriptions. Check them thoroughly, as you requested."

Aryan nodded, examining Imile's details carefully before addressing her. His expression remained impassive. "Imile, you seem fine. There's nothing in these reports that suggests you might experience those... nightmares."

Imile's eyes welled up. "I'm not lying, Aryan. What I'm going through is real."

Aryan gently held her hand. "Imile, then there's only one option left. I must use hypnosis to understand what's happening to you."

Imile withdrew her hand abruptly. "No! I won't go back to that world of fear."

"Shhh," Aryan whispered, cupping her face softly until she fell silent.

"If you trust me," Aryan murmured, "do as I say." Though she didn't respond, a part of her wished to obey.

After seating her on the sofa, Aryan took out a pendulum. Rupi stood behind Imile, reassuring her silently.

Aryan began swinging the pendulum slowly, locking eyes with Imile. Gradually, her gaze followed the motion until, in a moment, she was hypnotized.

"Now, slowly envision your nightmare," Aryan instructed. Imile complied, transported into the chilling landscape of her recurring dream in her backyard.

"Imile, can you see that place, that house, that music?" Aryan asked softly.

Lost in the trance, Imile muttered, "Yes, I can feel it all. There's a beckoning."

Aryan rubbed her hand gently. "Then go, Imile. Go towards it."

Imile's demeanor changed, fear etching lines on her face. Her hands trembled, and she seemed on the brink of flight, but Aryan held her firmly. "Go to him, Imile."

A lump formed in her throat. She tried to speak but couldn't. Aryan's grip tightened.

"Imile, I'm here," he reassured, but she suddenly screamed, startling Aryan. In terror, she clung to him, tears streaming down her face.

Aryan comforted her, rubbing her back gently. "Shhh, Imile, I'm here. Besides me and Rupi Di, there's no one else."

After some time in his arms, Imile sipped water silently, offered by Rupi.

"Nervously," Aryan asked, "Imile, are you okay? Now tell me, what did you see? Who... who was calling you? Why did you scream like that?"

Imile's breaths were uneven. "I saw... I was in my backyard."

Aryan squeezed her hand. "Yes, go on."

"I saw... everything was blurry, and then... I don't remember anything," she cried.

Aryan took a deep breath. "Don't remember that scene, Imile, because we're going to recreate it."

Imile shook her head vehemently.

"In his stoic voice," Aryan said, "look, Imile, until I understand what's happening to you, how can I help? That's why recreating this is necessary. Rupi Di, be prepared."

Rupi nodded, while Imile lost in thought, nodded unwillingly.

The day passed in tension, and night fell with fear. Aryan managed to get Imile to her backyard, and she was shocked to find it exactly as she had seen it in her nightmares - eerie and deadly.

Aryan gently pushed her forward. "Go on, Imile. Try to remember what happens to you in that nightmare."

Summoning courage, Imile stepped deeper into the creepy backyard. Rupi came running and stood beside Aryan, trying to calm her breathing.

Soon, the fog enveloped Imile...

Aryan nudged Rupi's shoulder. "You set this up really well, Rupi Di. Well done."

Rupi frowned. "What? Aryan, this isn't a joke. I didn't do any of this. When I arrived, everything was already set up. It must have been you."

"I didn't set this up," they whispered together, eyes wide.

Before they could react, Imile screamed loudly. Aryan dashed towards her, and as he entered, everything vanished - the mist cleared, and Imile's backyard returned to normal.

Rupi's head spun as she watched the sudden change.

Aryan reached where Imile had screamed and found her unconscious with a cut on her wrist.

Later —

Imile rested in bed, carried by Aryan. Both he and Rupi exchanged worried glances, waiting for her to wake.

Imile's eyes fluttered open. She held her head, panic flooding her eyes as she remembered what had happened twenty minutes ago.

"Aryan, it wasn't a setup," she panicked. "It was real. I saw someone, but I can't remember who."

Aryan cupped her face, feeling her fever. "Calm down, Imile. It was nothing. You just have a slight fever. Rest and don't stress."

Imile nodded, lying back down. He covered her with a quilt and tended to her wound. Afterwards, Aryan and Rupi left her room, both deeply perplexed.

"Aryan," Rupi said, "you stay with Imile. I need to figure out what happened."

Aryan nodded. "Yes, Rupi. It's all so strange. First, Imile's nightmares, and now this sudden manifestation. Be careful."

Rupi checked on Imile, seeing her sleep peacefully. She relaxed a bit.

Turning to the mirror to adjust her hair, Rupi froze in shock. Imile's reflection wasn't there.

She thought, "Where did Imile go?" Turning around, she saw Imile still sleeping peacefully.

Rupi looked back at the mirror, but Imile's reflection still didn't appear. A chill ran down her spine.

To be continued...