Only You - Karlnap (ft DNF)

9 - Nightmare yet again

(A/N: I'm suddenly in the mood to write some horror so I'm taking this as a chance to write some trauma. Poor little snapmap ;-;
Also I love some wholesome angst so enjoy this relatively long chapter)

Sapnap was standing on the flat roof of a tall building, leaning on the rails that protruded from the edges to keep the people enjoying the view safe. This area overlooked a wide-open beach. Waves rolled over the sands of the coasts, making light wooshing noises. As it was the dead of night, the gleaming, silver moon radiated high above accompanied by specks of glimmering stars. A vague hint of them reflected slightly on the rippling water surface.

Despite the peace and the dark calmness of where he was, Sapnap felt a spike of fear stab into his heart. There's nothing I can do. I need to simply let it pass.

Any time now, and something was due to happen. He never knew what this world was capable of constructing... it was different each and every time. Well, all the possibilities would technically be all exhausted by some point, he hoped.

Sighing, he sat himself down onto a singular, lonely beach chair by his side. He knew this place well. The square-tiled stone floor and a single building housing only a flight of stairs leading downward protruding from the roof. Theoretically, Sapnap could push open the double doors and climb downstairs towards ground level. 

But no way. The stairs were where they came. Every single time, without fail. He would rather remain up here over getting cornered by who-knows-what in a stairwell. Occasionally he managed to escape through it but they always caught up, grabbing his shirt and pulling him back.

The monsters in his nightmare. His recurring nightmare.

Leaning onto the back of the beach chair, Sapnap could feel his heartbeat pulsing rhythms throughout his entire body. Any time now, any time now.

Breathing heavily and staring out at the strangely peaceful beachfront, he composed himself. The glowing moon seemed to wink at him from above with the stars twinkling in response.

What was that sound? His adrenaline levels spiked back up. Creeeaak.

Turning immediately, he saw the double-doors slowly opening. 

...

Sapnap feared for the worst as a small figure began to inch out.

What?! 

Instead of the usual, horrific and disfigured creatures that usually stumbled out of the stairwell, this one was... a dog.

No, not just any dog, but the one he had all throughout his childhood... before it passed when he was only twelve. 

Tears piercing his eyes, relief and happiness bubbled through his chest. His mind had mercy today. Thank you. Thank you. Bursting off of the chair and moving a bit closer to the stairwell he crouched down, waiting for his dog to come to him. "Luka, my sweet girl," he held out his fingers as she approached. "I haven't seen you in... so long..."

The golden dog wagged her tail ecstatically, tongue hanging out and her eyes and mouth creased like she was smiling. "Ruff!" Skipping closer, shimmering stars caught like tiny burrs in her smooth, fluffy pelt. There was a special glimmer embedded in her eyes.

Holding out his hand, Sapnap moved to pet her. Oh, how he'd missed the feel of her soft, golden fur.

His palm made contact with her beautiful fur and Luka moved her head to stare into his eyes, love gleaming in them.

Sapnap moved his hand down her body. 

No... something wasn't right. NO!

The stars faded from her pelt, flickering and dying, and so did the knowing light in her eyes. They began to glow an alien red. Her pelt spiked up and stiffened; her body distorted and twisted so that her limbs, neck and tail were stretched longer and her entire body thinned. The golden shine in her fur darkened into a pitch black.