NIGHTMARE : Lie Lies In Eyes

1. Mentally Ill

As I stepped through the threshold of my home, weariness consumed me, and I collapsed in the restroom. The house cleaner, also my trusted nanny, discovered my drained state and hastily escorted me to the hospital. The examining female doctor, upon hearing my account of the surreal morning, maintained an air of skepticism, attributing it to stress and anxiety disorder. She prescribed medication, accompanied by earnest advice to prioritize the well-being of my mental state.

Later that day, back at home, the ticking clock of boredom echoed in my solitude as I awaited Mom's return. In an attempt to divert my mind, I foraged a handful of almonds from the kitchen, settling in front of the TV. To my delight, the familiar scenes of my all-time favorite movie, 'Lord of the Rings,' unfolded before me. Nestled on the couch, I succumbed to the allure of a binge-watching session. Interrupting the movie, the doorbell chimed, announcing the arrival of a parcel from my mother. An odd sensation lingered as I re-entered the living room. Moving cautiously through the space, a stray cat on the couch startled at my presence, leaving behind a gleaming substance. Intrigued, I bent down to pick up a diamond-shaped stone, only for it to betray its allure with an unexpected cut against my skin.

I rose to my feet and found myself facing a massive fire pond, with flares and sizzles emanating from the lava. Glancing down, I noticed the ground was made of rocks. Turning around, I spotted students in their earlier attires, encircled and staring in shock at a distance. Some attempted to approach but were restrained by pastel chains.
The surroundings retained a haunting similarity to before-darkness prevailed, devoid of sunlight, while a colossal blue-black moon, tinged with red fumes, dominated the sky. The ceiling, adorned with ancient folk designs, reached sky-high, almost brushing the clouds. A hole in the ceiling allowed the eerie yet captivating moon to cast its glow. The walls were adorned with caves and sculptures.

A loud scream pierced the air, prompting me to whirl around. A massive figure loomed before me, his broad back and wide shoulders covered by a thick, black leathery cloak. Standing just inches away, I looked up to see him wearing a crown with intricate designs, adorned with two vast horns and hair cascading over his shoulders. In his hand, he held a fearsome scepter.

My palm throbbed in pain, causing me to release the diamond piece. Blood trickled from my injured hand. To my surprise, I, too, was adorned in a blue cloak like the others, complete with a symbolic badge. My legs trembled, and as I staggered, my right foot collided with a discarded sword on the ground. Fear crawled up my throat, and despite my parched throat, I found myself swallowing continuously. Sweat dripped down, and in a state of unease, I took a few steps back.

Another scream jolted my veins, drawing my gaze upward. The man before me wielded his powers, choking a girl suspended in the air with a blue ray of melted cloud, suffocating her. She moaned, and I could feel her pain through her eyes. My own eyes welled up as her screams pierced through my veins, and my heart ached in response.
Losing control of my mind, I attempted to move, but my body refused to obey. Fueled by an uncontrollable surge, I seized the sword from the ground. Closing my eyes, I unleashed a single, decisive blow, tearing through the man's skin in a desperate attempt to free the suffering girl.

My eyes fluttered open, reality greeted me with a broken TV sprawled across the floor. The familiarity of home engulfed me, and I realized the cloak had vanished along with the sword. There was no fire, no rocky ground, no crowd, and the formidable man had vanished. Panic gripped my nerves, propelling me to rush to my room. Overwhelmed with panic, I sprinted to my room, hastily shutting the door and seeking solace under the protective cover of a blanket. I sought refuge from the haunting echoes of an otherworldly encounter that still lingered in my mind.

A notification on my phone pierced the air, revealing that Miss Russian Roulette had signed a contract with the producers of the anime 'The Dragon Lord,' securing the coveted spot on its cover. In a fit of annoyance, I hurled my phone to the floor, the impact echoing against the wall. The bitter truth stung – she and I, once best friends of the same age, now occupied different worlds in the same academy. Her success contrasted sharply with my jobless state, intensifying my frustration. I spent the entire night staring at the stars, grappling with the unsettling emotions that lingered in the shadows of our fractured friendship.

Days had been relatively uneventful until that unfateful night, which turned my already unpleasant life upside down. Nightmares began to haunt my sleep. In the midst of that eerie night, I found myself in a half-asleep state, only to be greeted by a haunting female voice whispering, "What do you think? They will come to you. Darling, you're living a lie. And betrayers are bondages of their own. They seek nobody but their selfish greeds."

My desperate denial echoed through the room as I screamed, "No. No. I'm not selfish. I'm not -"

Fifteen past two, and sleep eluded me. Those unsettling words persisted, haunting my ears and leaving me in a restless state.

In the following week, grappling with sleepless nights, I turned to sleeping pills for aid, while Netflix became my companion to navigate the endless days. My internet research unveiled a disconcerting truth – anxiety and depression could pave the way to delusions. In a nutshell, I was mentally ill.
Seeking solace, I attempted to calm the storm within. Homebound, I embraced yoga and karaoke as therapeutic outlets.

Thinking I had finally rid myself of the unsettling experiences, I ventured out for some shopping. While wandering through the supermarket, I found myself drawn to a book fair. Excitedly, I grabbed a few novels by Mr. McKenzie, my literary idol. In the midst of perusing, a chance encounter unfolded. I bumped into someone, inadvertently causing him to drop his book. As I helped him pick up the scattered pages, the cover of the book sent shivers down my spine—it bore the same painting that had haunted me in the museum.

Stepping away, I hastily made my way to the other side. Exiting the supermarket, I found solace in the quiet embrace of an old alley. Squatting down, I took a series of deep breaths, attempting to regain composure. As I stood upright, the relentless rays of the sun beat down. Trying to look at it but proved futile.

A voice called out, "Show me your hand," gently taking hold of mine. I looked at her and realized the alley had transformed.
No. Not again. The regal cravings and mosaics continued to disturb my uneasy heart for so long. Ever since, fear casts its shadow whenever those enigmatic figures come into view.
Attempting to escape, I took my first step, only to have my hand firmly seized. A voice cut through the air, "Wrong way, girl. You need to go this way." The ethereal beauty in white gestured towards the left. My eyes fell upon a scar on my palm—a straight line crossing a crescent moon. Looking down, I discovered I was draped in a black cloak, the badge adorning the same symbol as the scar on my palm.

"You're a Nether," her lips moved.