A.L.E.N - Between Shadows (Chapter 2)

Act 1

The therapist, a calm and composed woman, leaned forward slightly and asked, "So, let's start from the beginning, Julie. Tell me about the event that happened to you one year ago." Her voice was gentle yet probing, aimed at helping Julie delve into her memories.

Julie Rogers, a teenager with fidgety hands and a nervous demeanor, took a deep breath and began to speak. "Yes, of course. I had this odd dream about me and a friend of mine named Aiden, who is one year older than me. We were talking about my family's past and the past experiences, when it all started since I met that man."

Julie's gaze darted around the room, reflecting a mix of uncertainty and unease. Her hesitant nod showed her reluctance to dive into the dream's details.

The therapist diligently scribbled notes on her pad, capturing every detail. "Julie, you mentioned the 1987 fire explosion accident and the mysterious disappearance. Can you tell me more about what happened after that?"

Julie shook her head slightly, her voice trembling as she continued. "Yes, I know... But over time, I started to receive anonymous texts from unknown numbers," she stuttered. "I think it was him. The messages made no sense, and I didn't believe them at first. But... it felt so real."

As Julie spoke, her body language grew more tense. Her eyes widened with terror, and her hands shook uncontrollably. "No, this can't be possible. He is dead! Alen is..." Her voice trailed off, filled with emotional turmoil.

The therapist's concern grew, her voice softening as she tried to soothe Julie. "Julie? Julie...?" However, Julie seemed lost in her memories, the therapist's worry evident as she carefully documented the unfolding situation.

Julie was trapped in her dream. She turned to look at Aiden, only to see his face morph into that of a disfigured ghost. He spoke in a chilling voice, "He is still here and will find you."

Julie was breathing loudly, trembling from the terror of not knowing what had happened. Placing her hands over her head, she muttered, "What's going on...?" Her voice was shaky, filled with fear.

A female voice suddenly whispered, "Don't be afraid, my dear angel." Julie turned around to find no one there, the whisper lingering in her ear.

"Mom?" Julie called out, her voice filled with desperation. "Please don't leave me here alone, Mom."

Ghostly figures in dark clothes and caps appeared, surrounding her and whispering repeatedly, "He will find you, Ju." Julie was paralyzed by fear, a male figure wearing a mask standing in the shadows, quietly watching her.

Seeing the dark male figure with a sack over his head, Julie immediately recognized him. "Alen!" she yelled, watching him walk around and then disappear.

"I'm not afraid of you, Alen. Come on out!" she confronted him, her surroundings transforming into a deep, gloomy, foggy forest. "Where are you? Come on! Stop hiding!" she demanded, until the dark figure pounced on her, causing her to lose her footing.

The alarm jolted Julie awake. She found her small dog, Lex, resting on her face. Smiling up at him, she said, "Thanks for waking me up, buddy." She stood up, a smile on her face, and looked at her calendar. It was October 8, 1993—her birthday. She walked to her window and looked outside, seeing warm, colorful leaves falling from the trees.