Cruel Kiss (On Hold)

Chapter 1- Other People's Houses

I should have locked my bedroom door while I slept, but I thought the nightmares had stopped. The nightmares had begun a few months ago, always the same. I would be in a large chamber, golden chandeliers hanging above me. The air would be thick with something bitter and sweet at the same time, the strange combination of scents drawing me deeper inside. The walls are made of some kind of dark stone and velvet tapestries lined the inner rooms.

A strange, unnatural feeling would creep into my veins, goosebumps would erupt along my skin. My footsteps are always silent as I make my way down the exotic hallways, my instincts telling me to keep to the shadows. I would make my way past several darkened archways, marveling at the expensive looking decor along the way.

That's when I'd hear a noise. A soft creaking just down the corridor. Without thought of the consequences of sneaking up on someone in their own home, my feet would begin to walk in that direction. The creaking gets louder the closer that I get. The sound leads me to a a dark wooden door with elaborate designs etched into it.

My hand always shoots out on its own, going up to lightly push on the door. It silently cracks open just a sliver. That's when the moan happens. I freeze, my eyes going wide and my body going rigid. Heavy breathing can be heard now that the door has opened a bit. Through the crack, I see a flash of blond hair and a bit of skin. A man's buttocks, a woman's leg. My breathing hitches and warmth floods my cheeks.

See? This is why you don't go snooping in other people's houses. I always think to myself.

A pause. The creaking has suddenly stopped, and somehow I know that the man senses my presence. I back up, nearly colliding with a small table against the wall. I turn, embarrassment and panic fueling my limbs. I stop caring about being silent. As my legs propel me into a near full out sprint, all I can think about is making my get away. I race down the hall, making a right turn, then a left. My heartbeat kicks in my chest and fear begins to cloud my senses. I don't want to be caught, I just want to get out of this place. I make another turn, and run straight into the awaiting arms of a guard.

That's when I wake up, every single time. I'll jerk awake with my heart racing, only to discover that I'm no longer in my bedroom. Instead, I'm miles away. It's always the same spot, this small clearing in the forest. Tonight, the moon is high in the sky. Hundreds of stars are visible, though I don't know enough about constellations to know what they are. Tall pine trees surround me and the ground is damp with dew. A soft breeze weaves through the branches, causing them to softly sway.

I sigh and get to my feet, knowing from past experience that I have about an hour's walk until I get to a road. From there, I'll have to try and catch myself a ride or finish the trek back on foot. Neither of which is particularly fun. I rake a hand through my tangled mass of hair, trying in vain to push it out of my face.

A twig snaps off to my right and I freeze. My dread begins to swell as I wait to hear something else. Every time I wake up here, I can't help but think of how if I die, no one will find me for days. Weeks, even. I know that's morbid and I probably shouldn't think things like that, but who can blame me? I'm a young woman that wandered off into the woods at night. I'm sure it wouldn't surprise anyone if I ended up getting mauled. Oh, sweet fudge, I'm gonna die!

An animal's piercing screech echoes through the trees, and I've decided I've had enough. I scream and take off running, my breaths becoming labored as the mixture of panic and exertion catch up to me. I tear through the trees and brush, my bare feet acquiring small cuts and scraps from fallen twigs and jutting rocks. My blood begins to roar in my ears as I begin to realize that I may be heading the wrong way, that I may be heading towards to animal instead.

I skid to a halt, drawing in deep lungfuls of crisp night air. I bend down, resting my hands on my knees as I try to will myself into a calm state. When my heart is finally beating at a decent rate, I stand back up and take a good look around. I'm fully surrounded by thick forest on all sides, but unlike some nights I've been out here, I can actually see. The full moon's light filters through the trees, causing pale rays to pattern the ground. From here, I can see a small stream to my left. I head over to it and breathe a sigh of relief. If I'm not mistaken, the road should be a little ways ahead.

I take a deep breath and head that way, being careful to avoid any more branches on the ground. I walk as silently as I can, my feet stinging from the cuts. I will my eyes to focus on every shadow I pass, afraid that an animal might be waiting to strike. I've always been afraid of the woods, so it makes sense that I come here during nightmares. A scary place for a scary event. What doesn't make sense though, is why the nightmares started in the first place. Why the same one? Why do I always get caught by the guard and why can't I stop it? None of it makes any sense.

I huff out a sigh, finally thinking to look down at myself to assess any damage done while I was asleep. Frustration wells up as I take in my clothes. My pajama shorts are ruined, the bottom edges frayed and blackened. My shirt has a giant rip around the stomach area and my legs have a few small scrapes. Combined with my bird's nest of a hair, I'm sure I look like a complete wreck.

As I finally make it to the desolate road, I turn to the right and begin my trek home. As I walk, I can't help but feel unnerved. The farther I walk, the more I feel as if I'm being watched. A thought of the animal from earlier has me breaking out in a cold sweat. I really, really don't want to get eaten.

A rattling noise and the sound of wheels on pavement has me turning my head. A faded blue car rattled and popped its way to a slow crawl beside me. An elderly woman was sitting in the driver's seat, she gave me a soft comforting smile as she rolled down the window.

"Are you alright, dear? What're you doing out here all by yourself? You look like you're hurt, and your clothes! Were you in an accident?," her soft voice called out.

I gave her a reassuring smile and walked up to the window.

"No, ma'am, I was camping and I sleep walk and now I'm lost," I told her.

It was only partially a lie, since sleep walking had gotten me here. I just wasn't camping. I've learned it's best not to freak people out and tell them I walk a few miles from my home in the middle of the night. People don't take kindly to that sort of crazy. They tend to assume you're on something you shouldn't be.

"Oh, I'm sorry! That's terrible! Do you live far, honey? I can give you a ride home, if you want," she told me, giving me a questioning smile.

"Yeah, sure. That'd be great. I only live a few miles from here," I say and thank her as I slide into the passenger seat.

I really need to start locking my bedroom door at night.