Rhythm Tunes

Nightmare

"You can run, but you can't hide..."

The voice caused my throat to tighten. Blue eyes scanned the darkened area around me. The sky was a deep crimson, a looming dark castle that towered over all, stood like a haunting shadow. The forest shifted, the trees appearing like that had twisted faces, their branches reaching out with clawed-hands, trying to grab me.

The foul smell of blood hung in the air, nearly making me choke. A startled cry flew from my mouth as I came crashing to the ground. Pain bloomed against my face and ankle. Pushing myself up, I glanced behind to see my foot had snagged against a root well hidden with the undergrowth.

"Found you...."

I squealed, jerking back to come face-to-face with my worst fear. The beast towered over, looming like a predator cornering their prey. Pointed fangs flashed in the crimson lighting, ruby eyes glowing against the darkness. Two dark-skinned longed hands reached out toward me.

"I'll always get you. You can never escape from me."

The monster lunged, and I shrieked.

── ⋅ ⋅ ── ♫ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──

I bolted up in bed with a strangled shout. The covers were a tangled mess around me, the pillows lay in a heap on the bed and floor. My breath came out rapid; my heart thundered against my chest. Sweat caked me from head to toe, my pink hair was damp, writhed in it.

My eyes darted over to the flashing crimson lights from my alarm clock.

3:04 AM.

Reaching over to grab my phone, I sent a text message with trembling fingers to my boyfriend. Carmyne would be awake right now, as he didn't need to sleep like I did. Right now, I didn't want to be alone. I wanted my partner. He was always there for me whenever I needed him. Now was one of the many times.

It didn't take him long to answer, much less agree to come over, even in the dead of night. I climbed out of bed, dressed in my fuzzy Pjs to move to the living room of my apartment. I curled up onto the couch, the TV just a bunch of white noise while I waited for my partner to arrive.

Half an hour later, there was a hardy knock at the door. I jolted from my daze, nearly falling to the floor in surprise. I went over, opening the entrance to my home to see my beloved standing there. His crimson hair was slightly messy from his sprint to get to my house, and his clothes looked as though he'd hastily tossed them on. His dark eyes were bright in happiness, as well as concern.

Carmyne pulled me into a hug the moment the door was open. His dark-skinned arms snaking around me, holding me close. I took a moment to breath in his scent, my tense body relaxing in his warm embrace He could always make me feel better. Nothing could hurt me so long as he was around. I was protected, safe, and above all else, loved.

"Sorry I couldn't get here sooner," he apologized, pulling back from the hug. "You know how my folks are."

I didn't need to be told. I knew all too well how my boyfriend's parents were. They hadn't liked me since day one, and now that I was dating him, they hated my guts all the more. They went out of their way to make my life a living hell, and even tried to kill me more than once. They would do anything in their power to make sure I couldn't date their son. They wouldn't rest until I stopped breathing, broke up with him, or they stole my soul, keeping me as some pet to do with however they wished.

None of that mattered to me. I loved Carmyne with all my heart, and nothing would change that. I'd go to hell, literally, for him in a heartbeat. I couldn't, and would never, ask for a better friend, much less boyfriend.