Somnambula: 7 suns

1.1. Shadow following behind...

Run.

Velia stumbled over shriveled tree roots, clutching hem of her long dress with pale fingers. She tried with all her might to run as far away as she could. Her breath hitched before the whole damn thing even started. How could a little walk in the woods turn into this?

The pitiful creaking of trees sounded almost at her ear. Her eyes darted to the side, where the empty eye sockets of a huge monster covered in blood-stained wool stared back at her. She didn't have to think for long. Velia's mouth darted in the exact opposite direction, and with a loud curse, she slid into a spear full of decaying leaves. Unpleasant stench made her wrinkle her nose. Holding her breath, she looked over her shoulder for only a second - the creature, moving clumsily on disproportionately long limbs, was coming straight for her. This time the step into the crevice, hidden by the darkness of the night, was much easier than before.

She certainly wouldn't have acted so rashly a couple weeks ago. She'd have kept running through the forest, waiting for the nightmare to end. It had happened more than once: dream had been recurring with enviable frequency for several nights now. Until tonight, it had all ended the same way. Everything comes to an end sooner or later — she knew that better than anyone else. It made no sense at all to keep running away mindlessly. She needed to get out on her own.

As soon as her feet landed on the leaf-covered surface, Velia realized that the ground beneath her feet was no longer stable. The ground opened up, revealing a torrent of murky green water rushing in all directions. There was nothing to grab onto. Holding her breath, the girl squeezed her eyes shut. Not for nothing. With a deafening sound, her body slammed against the surface of the water, slowly catching the body that was wriggling in an attempt to get to the surface.

Air became catastrophically scarce. Velia opened her eyes in panic, clamping her pale lips with her hands. The air bubbles stubbornly continued to disperse around her.

Just as consciousness began to leave her, her body was pushed roughly to the edge of the forest. Wiping her dark hair from her face, Velia looked around at the crumbling mansion before her with deliberate slowness. The crumbling walls, boarded up doors, and soot-covered windows... there had been no life in it for a long time.

Coughing, she spat out the remnants of the disgusting tasting water before standing up. A coarse shiver pulsed through her body. She had never seen this mansion before in her life. Wrapping her arms around herself, Velia looked around. The forest behind her had disappeared, replaced by a completely empty space.

— It's not that bad, right? — She turned toward the mansion, freezing in place. — No forest means no monster. No monster means no danger. Great.

It seemed ridiculous to think that way in her situation, but what else was there to do? It was a long way from waking up if she hadn't woken up at the beginning. She had to keep moving, or the nightmares would catch up with her sooner or later. Stepping towards the house, she didn't immediately notice movement inside. Stopping a few steps away from the wide windows, Velia squinted her eyes, trying to get a closer look. The white-gray colors of sleep made it impossible to make out the often flickering silhouettes.

A small human hand slid along the glass, brushing away a layer of dust behind it. A child. One, then a second and a third... Velia went to the window, touching the fragile glass with her hand, from behind which curious eyes stared at her. Somehow she felt uneasy. As soon as she looked at the boarded-up door, the children seemed to have lost all interest in the stranger and disappeared inside.

— No monsters... just kids. — She reassured herself as she headed toward the entrance. Finding the doorknob, she jerked it a few times. — Doesn't open?

Velia took a step back, her eyes fixed on the wide, rotten boards blocking her way. Grasping what she thought was the flimsiest wooden barrier with her fingers, she pulled sharply. It wouldn't budge. Despite its appearance, it was strong enough, as if it were made of metal rather than simple wood. Attempts to pull on the next one were unsuccessful. Out of breath, the girl took a step back.