Unending Nightmares

Chapter 4: Struggles

"Snow died," Aether called me in middle of the night.

"Sorry, what? I just woke up, and I can't hear you properly"

"Snow passed away!" Aether said, shouting on the phone, "Can you hear that now?" she said after calming down.

"Yes, Ma'am. Loud and clear. Sorry to hear that, Aether. What happened?"

"I entered the office and saw her bubbling from her mouth. I think she ingested something she shouldn't have", Aether said while sobbing, "I miss her already. Can you drop by?"

"Sure, let me dress up. I'm in my pajamas, you know."

— 

I rode my new bicycle on the driveway and sped up along the streets into the office. Aether practically lives there since we couldn't afford a security guard that could guard the building 24/7.  We hired a bunch of nerds to watch the CCTVs 24/7, though. It was much cheaper, and the local police district was just a few blocks away, so we never really had to worry about security too much.  

And yes! I have a new bike, baby! It was a Vespa, and I loved its customized white and gold design so much that I named it Vestie. Yeah, I'm not very good at naming things.

"I'm here! How are you?" I called to Aether as she was sobbing in my office.

"I know what happened," Aether said. "Rat poison. Not sure how she got it, but it looks like it came outside" 

"Nothing from the team? No one saw Snow bringing that in? Want me to talk to them?" I said, ready to go to the office where the CCTVs are.

Aether stood, shook her head, and smiled a little. "Well, yeah, I've got nothing to blame but myself. You told me to ensure she stays in her cage, but I want her to go around the office." Aether bawled and cried again.

"Don't blame yourself, Aether. I know it's unfortunate. Well, what do you plan now? I can stay here if you want.". I patted her on the back and waited for her response. 

Aether looked at Snow, then looked at me. "Let's give her a funeral and bury her."

—

In the middle of the night, two people with shovels are digging in a backyard. Besides them is a white box adorned with white and pink roses and a picture of a white cat with blue eyes and a pink ribbon on its ear. 

"Snow, thank you for being with us. I will miss you, and you will forever be in my heart," Aether said, crying while shoveling dirt on top of the box.

As I stand there dazed, a flashback runs into my head, and the world begins to spin as I see memories of a night I can't remember I have participated in.

Silver lightning was up the sky while the rain was pouring down heavily. The light flashes as I see myself, in a black raincoat, burying the remains of something I just saw shrank. It was just a black mass of matter, but I heard the thing call itself  "Anxiety"

He's been chasing me for weeks, and I finally found his weakness. A gold silk-like substance, which came out of nowhere, strangled him, and he was unable to move. I stood there, and I watched as the black mass melted. I looked at the gold, whip-like weapon that came out of my hands while raising them to defend myself.

—
"Hey! Hey!" Aether was shaking me awake. "Dude, you passed out. Are you affected by Snow more than I am? Geez, didn't know you loved her that much"

I sit up, never noticing that I fell unconscious. "Did I just fall?

"Yes, you did! You almost fell into the hole. I laughed at first but noticed that you weren't moving an inch. What's gotten into you?"

I looked at her amused face and said, "Nothing, maybe just because you woke me up suddenly"

"Okay, sorry. Well, let's go back now. Let's buy some ramen, beer, and gyoza. We got to decide which of the interns have to go tomorrow"

—

As I lay on my bed, I wondered where that memory came from. It felt too real, and I couldn't stop thinking about it until I fell asleep without a care in the world. This night, I will not have nightmares.