The Mayview Murders

Prolouge

"Don't you think dreams are such strange things? Why do some feel so real?"

"We've talked about this, Celine. Your dreams are a manifestation of your worries. Have you been doing the exercises I taught you? Dr. Hemmingway asks

Celine leans back against the couch, arms crossed, and sighs heavily. She has had this conversation with her psychiatrist many times but isn't sure why she brings it up. It always leads to the one conversation she wants to avoid: the incident.

"I'm well aware of what these dreams could mean, Dr. No amount of mental exercises or breathing will cure me." Celine looks down at her lap taking a deep breath before responding again. "I'm beginning to think something is very wrong with me Dr.."

"Alright, Why don't you tell me what this dream was about? Perhaps I can offer some insight."

"I was so sure I was awake, everything looked so real. It wasn't until I reached over to grab a glass of water off my nightstand that I felt something was off

As Celine reached for the water, She heard a loud crash from the hallway. She instinctively grabbed the gun from behind her pillow before hopping out of bed. The floor felt cold on her feet, and she shivered from the breeze. She noticed that the window was open, which was strange because It was part of her routine to lock all windows and doors before heading into her room for the night. As she reached for the doorknob, her breath quickened. Her heartbeat increased, and her hands felt sweaty as she slowly and carefully opened the door. First, she looked to the end where the bathroom and closet were before slowly turning her head to the left, with one hand still on the doorknob. Standing there was a large shadowy figure. It reached out its hands to her, palms facing out, and opened its mouth as if to scream, but no sound came out. Celine closed her eyes and grabbed her chest. She felt a lump forming in her throat as she thought, Please let it be a dream. Please don't let it be real. she willed herself to stop shaking and opened her eyes. The figure charged her. She opened her mouth to scream and yet nothing. She awoke drenched in sweat a puddle had formed underneath her, Immediately she rushed to check the windows, only to notice they were locked just as she had left them.

"I thought It was a dream until I walked into the hallway, and saw the painting on the floor shattered as if someone had stepped on it. How could that be possible unless someone was in my apartment? Celine asks trembling as she chews on the top of her thumb.

Dr. Hemmingway listens intently and every so often she writes in her notebook. "Is there any way the painting could have simply fallen off the wall?" Was there any other evidence to prove someone was in your house last night?" Dr. Hemingway asks gently

Celine sighs defeatedly knowing that the Dr. doesn't believe her. She quickly decides the best thing to do is to agree with her

"You're right. I'm sure the painting just fell. I searched the entire apartment, and everything was in place. I could have overreacted a bit," Celine said, nodding in agreement and folding her hands on her lap.

Dr. Hemmingway smiles softly "It's alright. I know this past year has been incredibly taxing on you both mentally and psychically especially since---" She stops as notices the look on Celine's face.

Celine cuts her off before she can finish "I know you mean well, Dr., but I want to move on with my life. I'm just not ready to talk about this yet."

"Well, we will have to talk about it one day, Celine. It's the only way you will ever heal, and that is what I'm here for whenever you're ready."

RING RING RING the sound of the alarm goes off signaling the end of Celine's appointment

"Yes, and when I'm ready you will be the first to know," Celine says cheekily as she grabs her coat quickly and heads out the door before she can say anything else.

As Celine heads outside into the cold she can feel that this is only the beginning of something terrifying because it all starts somewhere.