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Chapter One

I darted through the woods, my hair flying in the wind behind me. I did not know what I was running from, but I knew something was chasing me.

The frigid atmosphere seared my lungs with each inhale I took as heavy pants echoed in my ears. Cold, bare feet beat against the frozen ground. I stumbled through thick evergreen trees, sharp sticks mercilessly stabbing my soles.

Behind me, a manly physique made out of black smoke could be seen gaining on my heels. Panic took over every emotion in my body as I dodged trees left and right. Limber feet slid through mud that had abruptly taken place of solid ground.

The creature was catching up at an alarming pace, our close proximity triggering mental warning bells. My heart raced with adrenaline.

I jumped over a log covered in dark green moss unsuccessfully. I tumbled forward. A stray limb from the tree had caused my downfall from my leg painfully twisting into it.

A feeling similar to a hot rod being violently shoved into my ankle overtook me. A cry of agony rang through the trees, my eyesight distorting as tears gathered. I wrestled against the mud, only causing myself to sink into it further.

A heavy weight landed on my lower spine. My body got flipped around, small wrists being held captive by large ones.

The misty figure hovered above me, blood-red eyes starring daggers. The monster pinned my arms underneath its knees. Long talons were revealed, as were sharp black nails that were as sharp as a knife.

I opened my mouth to scream, but was only met with silence as I could not make a sound. My vocals were paralyzed in fear. It plunged its fingers deep into my ribs, digging through my insides. A hot sensation trickled up my neck, setting off a gag as I choked on my own blood.

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Fearful eyes flashed open, meeting darkness. My fingers clutched my throat as I struggled to breathe, flinging my torso into an upright position. Rather than being in thick mud, I was lying on something warm and soft.

Cool air touched clammy, sweaty skin. Reality came to me as I realized that I was in my bed. I just experienced an awful nightmare.

My dreams were often vivid, leaving an empty pit in my stomach when I woke up.

Hands blindly felt around the bed for a barrier to shield me from the cold. I found the thin fuzzy blanket wrapped tightly around my ankle.

I must have gotten it caught by tossing and turning. That's why my ankle hurt in my nightmare.

The darkness in the room blocked the view of the floor. It is completely dark; the faint red glow on the nightstand being the only light visible. The clock displayed 6:30 a.m.

A sigh filled the room.

There is no use in trying to sleep now. Not after waking up from a dream like that...It was basically time for me to get up for school anyway.

The alarm from my clock routinely goes off at 7:00 in the morning, Monday through Friday.

I guess I will just have a head start on getting ready this morning.

Hands swung wildly in front of me. I am sure I resembled a zombie as I felt my way out of the bed and to the switch on the lamp. It sat on the nightstand next to my bed. The switch clicked on, a sudden brightness invading sensitive eyes.

I moved sluggishly, making my way to the small makeup vanity by the window. I plopped down on the flimsy stool, a huge yawn etching my face.

Light bulbs around the mirror lit up. I glared at the reflection that stared back at me. Blonde hair was filled with knots, sticking up in every direction. Tired eyes were bloodshot, and eyebrows furrowed as a deep scowl sat on my facial features.