Reality

Chapter 15: Step

I took a slow, uncertain step toward the figure, my heart pounding as I whispered, “What do you mean I created one?” But before the words could even settle, the figure dissolved, slipping away like smoke. My stomach churned as the silence filled in around me again, heavy and unbroken—until the faintest sound drifted to me. Footsteps. I turned, my eyes searching the shadows, but there was no one. And then I realized it. The footsteps weren’t here in this twisted dream. They were somewhere else, somewhere real, where my body lay defenseless.

“I need to wake up.” My voice was a shaky whisper, almost begging. I tried everything—pinching my arm, shouting, forcing my eyes to open—but it was like being trapped underwater, every movement sluggish and futile. Panic started to claw its way up my throat. The footsteps grew louder, echoing in the darkness. And then, I felt it. Hands on my arms, dragging me.

With a violent gasp, I woke, and my vision swam, blurry and dizzy. The first thing I saw was Vincent—his face twisted, a look of pure malice in his eyes. In his hand, he clutched a knife, the same knife he’d used on Aleisha and her friends. My skin went cold. I screamed, a raw, desperate sound, and his grip faltered just long enough for me to twist away. I didn’t wait. I ran, the forest closing in around me, branches whipping at my face as his voice rang out behind me, low and full of venom.

“I’m going to kill you!”

My legs felt weak, my lungs burning as I pushed myself faster, my body moving on pure survival instinct. My heart hammered with every step, matching the sound of his relentless footsteps behind me. Desperate, I ducked behind a massive tree, pressing my body against the rough bark, hoping he wouldn’t see me. My breath came in shallow gasps, and as I glanced around, I froze. In the distance, half-hidden in the trees, the dark figure stood, watching. I didn’t know who I feared more, Vincent or this shadowed presence that seemed to slip in and out of my nightmares.

The silence pressed in, almost painful in its weight. The damp scent of decaying leaves filled my nose, grounding me in this strange, horrifying reality. I swallowed, holding my breath, hoping Vincent would pass. But then, in a flash, a knife slashed through the air, inches from my side. My body moved on instinct, jerking back just in time to avoid the blade. I stumbled, catching my balance, and ran. My legs felt numb, my steps wild and frantic as I tore through the forest, the fear driving me forward until, finally, I burst onto the road.

A single car was coming down the street, its headlights cutting through the darkness. *Niklauz.* Relief flooded through me, and I waved my arms frantically, screaming, “Niklauz, help me!” He slammed on the brakes, his face pale and shocked as he saw me. Without hesitation, he jumped out of the car, grabbing my arm and pulling me toward safety.

We ran together, my body leaning on his as the last bits of energy drained out of me. We didn’t stop until we were far down the road, the sounds of the forest a distant memory. I could barely breathe, my heart still racing as I leaned against him, feeling a strange mix of fear and relief. Niklauz looked at me, his face drawn and serious.

“What happened?” he asked, his voice almost a whisper. “You looked like you were running for your life.”

I took a shaky breath, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. “I… I saw Vincent. In the cabin. He had that knife—the one he used on Aleisha and the others…” My voice cracked, the memory too raw, too real. Niklauz’s face went slack with shock, his eyes wide.

“But how? The cabin was surrounded by police.” His voice was thick with disbelief, but I shook my head, lost in my own confusion.

“There wasn’t anyone there when I went.” The words felt surreal, as though they belonged to someone else. My mind spun, trying to make sense of it all. “Look, let’s just go home, okay? Pretend this never happened.” I forced a smile, but my hands wouldn’t stop shaking. Niklauz nodded slowly, though the look in his eyes told me he wasn’t buying it.

When I finally made it home, night had settled thickly over everything. My mom was waiting by the door, her face lined with worry. “Where were you? I’ve been calling, and you just… disappeared!” She pulled me into a hug, her arms tight and trembling. “They found Vincent… holding the knife. The same one.” Her voice cracked, and I could feel her heart racing against me.

“I’m okay, Mom,” I murmured, though the words felt hollow. I wanted to believe them, to believe that I was safe, that Vincent was gone. But in the stillness of my room later that night, I couldn’t shake the memory of his eyes, wild and dark. And in that silent space, I knew the truth. If Niklauz hadn’t been there… I might not have made it out. And as I lay awake, sleep eluding me, a single, terrifying thought clawed its way to the surface.

What if this isn’t over?