A Wish Upon a Nightmare

Chapter One

Paris Knight

"Paris, bed" calls Mum. I turn to glance at my clock, 9:43. Damn, its not even late. I'm 13 for gods sake.

"But Mum its only 9:43!" is my reply.

"Exactly" she says pointedly. I roll my eyes and get changed for bed.

"Also remember to brush your teeth!" she shouts. How old does she think I am, 3?

So after wasting 2 precious minutes of my life I walk into my bedroom and flop onto my bed. Gosh its so soft. I proceed to yawn. Ugh, so I am tired after all. Rolling under the covers, I find myself closing my eyes and slowly drifting off to sleep.

Wish

I sit in position, waiting for an unsuspecting mortal to enter the realm at any moment.
My position is in quite a fun spot to be honest, a vibrant pink tree made of Candy. My false identity's name is actually Candy, so it works well with the theme.

This always happens, most nights anyway. A mortal enters our realm of nightmares, which by the way, is divided into 5 clans, we carry out a plan and attempt to trap them in the realm. The mortal dies if they get trapped, leaving their parents devastated because they forgot to say 'love you' before they left the world for the night, and they become one of us. Yes, I died, 3 years ago today actually.

Was I devastated? Yes. Why? I had a group of really close friends and a girlfriend. Do I hate the person who the whole thing leaving me trapped here? Yes, but I don't see her anymore. What happened to her? None of your business.

Anyway, back to the whole '5 clans' thing, I am part of Clan number 2, Identity Shifters. Our clan works off of shapeshifting and identity changes. The world changes according to our plans. Useful right?

All of a sudden its happening, and the realms entrance glows, a silhouetted figure stepping through it,
a girl. The glowing ends, I take a look at the girl.

She has a mane of fair curly hair, falling down to her waist, bright eyes, blue, looking round at the surroundings. She glances up at me, wowed by my looks, or rather, false looks.

Her eyes dart to my candy curls, which are pulled up into space buns, very cute, then to my glowing cheeks and deep lavender eyes.

"Hi." She whispers. I nod at her and jump down from the trees.

"Hello Cutie!" my rehearsed voice sings, "Welcome to-" I pause. How do I not know the name we decided, did no one tell me?

"Welcome to where..?" she asks, a quizzical look on her face.

While I am thinking fast, a thud is heard next to me, I turn to see Juno, a wide grin on his face like the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland. The mortal stares, obviously taking in his ridiculously good looks. All he had to do was change his hair colour and clothing choice, lucky him.

He waves at the girl, "Hello Ma'am." He says in a seductive tone of voice, bowing to her. The mortal swoons and giggles. "As Candy was trying to say, Welcome to the land of Crowns. I am Prince Daniel, the heir to the throne." He continues, saving me.

As Juno continues talking, I zone out, he takes my arm and we begin walking towards the palace, where the next stage begins.

As we walk through the street, the 'people' bow to Juno and smile at the mortal. The people are actually simulations that interact, only when needed.

Juno talks, "Well ladies, its been a pleasure but I must depart, Princely duties!" he winks, "Candy will take you to the palace Paris."

He squeezes my arm as a way of luck, and leaves.

"So, how do you like Crowns Paris?" I say, guiding her towards the palace.

"Mm its lovely - do you know the Prince personally?" she says, biting her lip, bit off topic.

"I suppose, in some ways" I give her a reply that isn't specific enough to make out anything she doesn't actually need to know. I can see why she would ask. Juno was born to be a prince, he's good looking, generous and gets things done quickly, in a perfect way. I sigh contentedly as we reach the doors.

Paris squeals excitedly, "Oh its wonderful!" She whispers delightedly. I roll my eyes discreetly when she's not looking.

The doors open, revealing the grand throne room, a pink carpet running through the middle, leading up to a substantial throne, seated on the throne is Grace, her false identity being the queen, Prince Daniel's mother.

Grace is the leader of our clan. She's mean, cold and selfish. Not queen-like at all. Well, in some ways.
You see, Grace was born a nightmare. When someone is born as a nightmare, a new clan is formed. Grace's parents reside in Clan 1, clan of the Elements. Grace hasn't seen the real world, that's why she's so different to the rest of us.

Paris' jaw drops when she sees the throne room, she runs up the carpet gracefully and curtsies when she reached the throne. Grace smiles and starts talking to Paris, welcoming her. I can see, beneath her smile, is a scowl.

Grace has gestured to a servant simulation to lead them up to a room, supposedly Paris'. Stage 1 complete. Stage 2 - half way there.

I am left in the substantial room alone. I walk up the carpet and reach out to touch the throne's soft seat, when a voice breaks the silence, "I wouldn't touch that if I were you."
I swivel round and knock my head against another, Juno's. I clutch my head and cry out in pain.

"Is your head a rock or something?" I groan. Juno chuckles,
"The question is... is yours?" He asks weakly. I giggle.

June lifts me off the ground, I squeal childishly.
"You were so jealous when I was talking to Paris earlier!" He teases, twirling us round.

"I was not! For the last time; I do not like you!" I yell.

The sound of someone clearing their throat causes us to stop.

We turn to face Grace and Paris, I look down at the floor, blushing in shame.

"Maybe you and I should have a little chat, Candy." Her voice rings out loud and pristine, sending shivers down my spine.

I step forward nodding slowly, Juno grabs my arm.
"It's my fault." He stops.

Grace looks between us, raises her eyebrows smugly and sighs, "It's suppose the both of you had better explain. I will be up to see you in a while Paris, dear." She gestures to a simulation to take Paris away.

As soon as Grace knows Paris is out of earshot, she locks the doors, the disguise of the room and our false identities change us back to normal.

The hall is now dimly lit, various dark materials scatter the room.

Grace looks like some sort of demon, her scars, her red eyes, purple-grey witches hair, a dark robe swamping her body.
Juno, pink hair now a dark brown with splashes of red ombre at the tips. Poisonous green eyes, casual clothing.
And me, my blue hair tumbles like a waterfall over my head, falling over my left eye. I have a brown eye and a gold eye. My simple brown dress ends just above my knees, the ends frayed.

Grace smirks; "Let's get started shall we?"

A/N

So I lost half of this chapter while attempting to first publish it 😭😂

So here it is, interesting?

There will be more characters that aren't simulations in the next chapter :)

~Pancake 🥞