Imaginary friends

19. Nightmare

Jessica ran as fast as she could. her lungs screamed at her and her legs were on the verge of giving way. She couldn't slow down now, It was so close to catching her. Every breath came out ragged and sharp. Jessica's body burned a heat so hot that her skin felt as if it were bubbling. Still she ran. 

The alley was cold and unkind the walls getting closer together. Closing in on her. A hideous screech bellowed out through the alley, It was close behind. She could hear the pounding of Its heavy feet over the constant thumping of her heart. It screeched once again this time so close that Jessica's ear heard bells. The Beast's breath was hot on her back. Before she could comprehend it the Beast reached out and grabbed the back of her beautiful white dress. Ripping it with It's horrid talons. Jessica fell at the sudden movement. Her knees buckled as she hit the dirty ground hard. The Creature was on her in a matter of seconds. 

She tried squirming out of It's grasp but It was too strong. The Beast turned her around making her face Its hideous form. 

The creature was long and lanky, its talons black and red and its long jagged teeth dripping a inky black venom. Jessica screamed and thrashed against the creatures hold but it wa no use. It took in a sharp breath opened its mouth as wide as it could and shot down onto jessica's shoulder. Jessica Screamed was muffled as her body froze in shock and pain.

She could feel everything from the jagged teeth ripping at her flesh, to the inky venom swimming through her veins. Jessica's body fell limp as the creature began to devour her flesh. It pulled away and looked dead in the eye with It's stormy grey ones. It's disgusting skin covered body began to morph in front of her eyes. 

It's legs grew shorter and its talons retracted into It's hands. The Beast's black, jagged fangs got smaller and whiter. The Creature' s hair went from dull and grey to dark brown as a familiar face stared down at Jessica.

His face was wild as he laughed hysterically. His mouth and jaw still stained with Jessica's blood. Blake looked down at her with a frantic look in his eye as he smiled uncontrollably.

"no!" she screamed.

"No!"

"NO!" She screamed and thrashed against Blake's iron grip.

"Jessica." A new voice echoed in her mind.

"Jessica. wake up." The voice was filled with desperation as Jessica continued thrashing against the Beast's hold.

***

My eyes burst open as my body tosses and turns hitting something hard. I can hear myself scream as my mind awakens. 

"Jessica. Its ok." A familiar voice called out to me. My vision was blurred by hot tears. My body goes limp as I stop hitting the hard surface in front of me.

"It was just a dream." The voice said again. It took me a while to register it was Kilorn. I blink away the remaining tears. Kilorn is sitting in front of me holding onto my shoulder. He looked at me concerned. His feline eyes assessed my body as he checked for any injuries. 

I let out a sigh but my ragged breathing remaind. I look at Kilorn and notice he has large purple bruises on his jaw, neck and chest. Each one four slits in a shape of a curled fist. My breath hitches in my throat as guilt and worry washes over me.

Lightly touch the bruise on his chest peeking out of the collar of his shirt. He doesn't wince or even notice the bruises instead he busied himself with checking our surroundings. 

"I'm sorry." I whisper.

"It's fine." He replied quickly and quietly before standing up and walking over to a tree, analysing it. 

Only now I notice that we are still in the forest. I remember now how I fell asleep after escaping Blake and Cynthia's apartment. I check my pockets looking for my phone, I look around but my phone is nowhere to be seen. I don't know what time it is. People are probably worried about me, I need to get to University.

My mind ran wild as Kilorn stalked over to me. I need to get home.

"Are you ok?" Kilorn asked as he helped me up. 

"I'm fine, I just. I thought. You-" I stutter as he eyes me curiously. 

"I know." He replied before walking off, deeper into the forest.

"Hey where are you going?" I call out to him but get no response.

I reluctantly follow him. having great trouble trying to keep up with his long legs. After a moment or two he stops in front of a small creek. With me close behind. When he turned to me I notice that his bruises have disappeared.

"Get undressed. You need to bath before going home otherwise people will suspect something." He ordered. Walking away before I could say something. 

After a while of hesitation I look around to make sure he is nowhere near. He wasn't, so I slowly undress and walk into the cold water of the creek. I looked at myself in the reflection of the water's surface. I understand what he meant. My face was bruised and swollen, my hair a mess with twigs and leaves tangled within. 

I gladly wash away the dirt, grime and sweat off my face and body. As well as washing my hair and pulling out the accessory twigs and leaves. 

When I finish a walk back over to the creek bed to see a towel and new clothes stacked neatly on a tree stump. I felt my cheeks go bright red as Kilorn would have been right there. Shaking off the thought of him seeing me I jump at of the water dry myself and put of the new set of clothes. He must have gone to my apartment, Because I recognize the fleecy jumper and black leggings. I roughly dry my hair, Watching it go lighter as the water drips away. 

I heard a whoosh of wind, and when I turn around Kilorn is holding a brush and shoes.

"Here." he said as he placed the shoes and brush in front of me.

"I really am sor-" I was cut off when Kilorn put his hands around my face. He looks at my face with concentration as tingles swirl around my face and I feel the bruises dissipate. 

"Much better." He said as he looked me over. He wrapped his hand around my arms the cold air consumed us. The scene blurred and changed into my beloved room.

Kilorn instantly lets go and walks into my closet. "Start packing."

I blinked at him confused. "What? why?" I ask walking over to him as he pulls out my suitcase. 

"We can't stay here. It's not safe." He lifts the suitcase effortlessly onto my bed before walking into my bathroom. 

"I'm not leaving. I just got back."

"Yes you are." He calls out as he searches through my bathroom. My face contorts from disbelief to anger as I grow impatient.

"I'm not leaving. Taylah is worried about me and I have classes to go to." I say stubbornly. Kilorn exits the bathroom with a small bag of toiletry supplies and a towel. 

"Look. Taylah is not my priority, nor is she in danger." he says stuffing the bag into my suitcase. I was about to object but was swiftly cut off.

"Cynthia and blake know where you live. What makes you think they won't come back. They probably know what University you go to, where you're parents live and even what tram you catch. They could know anything Jess." My mouth shuts. He's right they could know more than we do. I remember bumping into Blake on my mother's street.

Kilorn looks at me sympathetically. "We need to leave. now." He whispered kindly.

After I while of hisation I obey and begin to pack, never looking once at the Kilorn.