DRAGON'S CURSE

The Awakening

LUNA'S POV

---I was running barefoot through the woods, dodging bushes and towering trees, deep in the heart of the forest, fleeing from a creature that seemed to want my life. My legs were numb, burning from exhaustion, but I refused to stop until I reached a dead end. There it was—a massive ditch, dark and deep, threatening to swallow me whole.

I turned around, only to find a dragon standing there. Its fur was white as fresh snow, its icy blue eyes mirroring my own. My breath caught in my throat as the dragon moved closer. My skin turned blue, as if all the air had been sucked from my lungs. Panicked, I stepped back, forgetting the deadly ditch behind me. Suddenly, my foot slipped, and I tumbled into the darkness.

With a jolt, I woke up, sitting straight up in bed.

Fuck, that nightmare again,"

 I muttered, running a hand through my hair. It had been weeks since the dreams began, and each time, I woke with my heart racing as if I'd just lived it. Glancing at the clock, I sighed. 

*7:00 AM.*

After a quick shower, I dressed in a white, furry sweater and a black skirt. As I made my way downstairs, the smell of pancakes filled the kitchen.

"Good morning, Mom. Dad," I said, giving them a quick hug."Good morning, honey," Mom smiled, serving me pancakes with blueberry toppings.

Scrolling through my messages, I ate in silence, but as the time ticked on, I hurriedly grabbed my bag and coat, rushing out the door. As I walked to school, music playing in my ears, I noticed a man dressed in black standing in a narrow alley—strange, since no one ever used that alley except me.

At school, I met up with my best friend, Jenna. She was panting, running towards me. "Hey! Did you hear? Ace dumped Evelyn!" she exclaimed."What?! They broke up?" I replied, shocked. Ace and Evelyn were the 'it' couple of our school.

 Life is so unpredictable,

 I thought as we entered our class.

I took my seat by the window. The weather outside was particularly chilly. As I stared out, my gaze met a pair of pitch-black eyes—cold, emotionless, and locked onto mine. A shiver ran down my spine, and I quickly looked away.---After school, I stopped by a book café to restock my novels. I loved escaping into fictional worlds where reality couldn't touch me. But as I walked home, I noticed someone following me. A shadow lurked behind me. I quickened my pace, heart racing. Finally, I made it home, closing the door behind me with a sigh of relief.

I went to make myself a sandwich when a mouse ran across my foot. I screamed, jerking back, accidentally slicing my finger with the knife. Cursing under my breath, I looked at my bleeding hand—but when I went to grab a bandage, the cut was gone. My hand was perfectly fine.

"Am I hallucinating?" I thought.

 A sudden, unbearable pain shot through my entire body. I collapsed onto the bed, my mind racing. I couldn't die now, not before reading all the novels in the world or getting my first kiss. But the pain didn't kill me. Somehow, I survived.

Hours later, I woke to the sound of voices downstairs. My body ached, but I forced myself to move. As I descended the stairs, I froze. The man I had seen in the alley was sitting in my house, talking to my parents."She should know now. It's time," he said in a deep, commanding voice."What should I know?" I asked, stepping forward. My parents stiffened, fear in their eyes. "Hey, if you're going to tell me I have cancer or something, just let me live in my delusion a little longer," I joked. My parents chuckled nervously, but the man remained stone-faced."Luna," my mom said gently, "there's something we need to tell you."I wasn't ready for what came next.---**Author's Note:** If you're enjoying the story so far, don't forget to vote!