Reality

Chapter 1: Dream

Once again, I found myself ensnared in a haunting dream. The relentless pursuit of a black shadow, coupled with the suffocating sensation, left me screaming without a voice. Awakening from this nightmare, I witnessed the shadow swiftly retreating from my room, a silent watcher in the darkness. These eerie occurrences, spanning just a few days, have taken a toll on my usual energy, leaving me feeling out of sorts.

Early morning, I prepared for school, gathering my belongings before heading out. As I disembarked from my ride, a dark, towering figure caught my eye by a tall tree. However, in the blink of an eye, it vanished. The first subject whizzed by, and during recess, as I shared a moment with my friend Vincent, I inadvertently glanced at the tree, finding the shadow perched atop it. Terrified, I fled, leaving my bewildered friend behind. In the bathroom, I wept, haunted by the vision, when an unseen force thrust me to the floor, hands tightening around my neck.

Silent screams echoed until Vincent abruptly woke me. My cries filled the classroom, leaving some classmates in tears. The teacher, scolding me, noticed blood streaming from my nose. As the bleeding intensified, I lost consciousness. The nurse revived me, and in the infirmary, the black shadow reappeared in the corner. Why couldn't they see it? I questioned silently. Feigning illness, I avoided divulging the truth, opting to stay in the infirmary.

Observing the corner, I realized the shadow had vanished. Questions lingered, echoing in my mind: What was that thing, and why was it relentlessly following me?

Returning home, my mind brimming with unanswered questions about why this was happening to me and why I seemed to be the target of the ominous entity, I sought answers from a local faith healer. Despite my inquiries and requests for rituals, the healer insisted there was nothing amiss. The confusion deepened-why couldn't they see it, and why was I tormented in this way?

Days passed, and my dreams persisted like a broken record, accompanied by the suffocating feeling in an empty room. School routines continued, with Zoren's cheerful greeting masking the inner turmoil. Determined not to let the shadow dictate my life, I tried to dismiss its presence, but it inevitably caught up with me.

Alone during recess, doors slammed shut, triggering panic. The classroom turned chaotic as chairs defied gravity, causing a commotion that drew the concern of those outside. Exhausted from the ordeal, I succumbed to unconsciousness. Zoren, a steadfast friend, helped me up, drove me home, and listened as I recounted the bizarre events.

Despite lingering questions, I chose to push them aside. The shadow ceased its haunting for a while, allowing me to enjoy moments with friends, engaging in online games and relishing a newfound peace. Months passed without a trace of the entity, and life seemed serene.

But tranquility, as I would soon discover, is often deceptive.