NIGHTMARE : Lie Lies In Eyes

22. Retaliation

Felipe sneered, "You're talking too much."

"Correct me if I'm wrong. I guess I'm not," I countered.

In an instant, he had me by the throat, his grip tightening as he whispered menacingly, "Do you think if you talk nicely, I'll melt and spare you? Dream on."

I smirked, despite the pressure. "The only thing I want to tell you, after observing you for so long, is that it must be tough for you too. After all, you're still only twenty-one."

With a growl of frustration, he hurled me to the ground and stormed off.

Ashley hurried to my side, concern etched on her face. "Are you alright?"

I nodded, reassuring her silently.

We dashed toward the crowd in the hall, urgency propelling our steps. In the throng, an unintentional shove sent me tumbling into a hidden hole. The world spun around me, and the next moment, I found myself waking up in my bed, disoriented and unsure of what had just transpired.

Emma: Mom, you're home.

Mom: Why did you get out of bed? Let me check your temperature.

Emma: What happened to me?

Mom: You've had a high fever for the last few days and lost consciousness for four whole days. I called Dr. Shion, and she thinks you might have schizophrenia. Are you okay, sweetheart? Have I been too hard on you? Please, tell me.

Emma: It's alright, Mom. I'm fine, just a little dizzy.

Mom: We have an appointment with Dr. Shion this evening.

In the hospital...

Dr. Shion: Your hallucinations seem to be getting more intense.

Emma: I'm alright.

Dr. Shion: Emmelene, be honest with me. Are you losing yourself in these hallucinations? If you've started living in them, you need to stop. It's only going to cause more trouble. Let go of the thoughts that pull you into these episodes. Ground yourself in reality, dear. I'm prescribing some medication. Take it regularly, and spend at least half of your day outside in the playground, observing the kids playing. You'll get better soon.

Mom: Thank you, Dr. Shion. I'll make sure she follows your advice.

Emma: Mom, aren't you going to the office?

Mom: I've taken some leave.

I spent the weekend in the hospital, undergoing a series of examinations. Yet, my thoughts were consumed by The Grandiose. What was happening there? Had they uncovered the truth?

A week drifted by in a haze of bed rest and playground visits. One afternoon, as I chased after a child in the playground, I caught sight of a familiar face emerging from the hospital. My curiosity piqued, I pursued him onto the main road, but he vanished into the bustling crowd.

Suddenly, I found myself stranded in the middle of the street, a high-speed car hurtling towards me. Panic surged through me as I screamed, squeezing my eyes shut and bracing for the inevitable impact. Seconds ticked by, and when no collision came, I cautiously opened my eyes.

I was no longer on the road. Instead, I was surrounded by the rocky walls of that all-too-familiar place. Realization struck me-I was once again ensnared in an illusion.

Before me stood Lucifer, gripping Morgan by the throat and lifting her into the air. Flames and surging water erupted from the gaps in the rocks, casting eerie shadows in the dim light. The scene was a nightmare brought to life, a vision I had witnessed once before.