Monster's Daughter, Book III

Chapter 1. Night Terror's

AIZAWA

Sleep always evaded me. It was nothing new. I could take a nap and make it through my day with about six cups of coffee, but something in the air tonight was different.

There was a coldness to the room, and not just in temperature. The very shadows of the room seemed to come to life. The dark edges against the faint glow of the fire in the hearth seemed alive. They danced with the flicker of the flames like fingers reaching out of the darkness, but too afraid to touch the light.

"Shota." A whisper called from the darkness.

Jolting upright, I scanned the room ready for a fight. My eyes studied the dark corners of the room searching for the source.

"Who's there?" I called feeling foolish. It was likely my imagination. Being here where she- where my brother- it was doing things to my mind.

Peering into the darkness I swear I saw movement. Leaping off of the bed where I had been resting, I lunged for the corner but only came to a wall.

Humming beneath my breath I began to feel around the wall. My fingers pressing slightly against the wallpaper until I felt a faint crease. Following the crease I could feel that it went to the floor.

This must be a door of some kind.

"Shota." Another whisper echoed in the room behind me.

Spinning around, I held my hands up ready to fight; only to be greeted with silence. Sweat beaded my brow.

I'm not imagining that.

Am I?

"Shota." This time the whisper was so close to my ear I felt the breath on my skin.

Swinging my arm, I lashed out at the darkness.

"Show yourself!" I commanded with authority. I waited a long moment straining my ears. There was nothing but the sound of my own heartbeat.

Suddenly the windows flew open. A cold gust of wind blew through the room extinguishing the fire in the hearth. A gasp escaped me as I was plunged into darkness.

If I can't see them, I can't use my quirk on them. I'm screwed. I need to get out of here.

I pressed my hands against the wall feeling my way as I looked for the door. The howling wind filled the room.

I stopped, frozen with dread as laughter filled the room. Narrowing my eyes I peered through the darkness.

"Who's there? Show yourself." My voice wasn't as steady as it had been. Dread settled on my shoulders.

"Shota. Come find me. I'm waiting for you."

That's definitely not my imagination.

"Wh-who are you? Where are you?" I spun around scanning the pitch black room.

"Come find me, Shota."

"Hello!?" I called into the black void. The hair in my skin stood on end. The air was unnaturally cold with the fire snuffed and the window still open.

"Come find me." Another whisper infiltrated my ears.

"Who are you? Leave me alone!" I barked at the ghostly voice.

"Don't you remember me?"

"Who are you?!" I repeated, frantically searching the darkness. My heart began to race in fear. My throat felt tight, like I was suffocating.

"I'm waiting, Shota." A chuckle was carried in the breeze.

"Go away!" I shouted breathlessly. A cold shiver ran down my spine as I felt the icy breath of death on my neck.