Just go to sleep

Now you see them, now you don't

Ariana swayed with the wind as she walked to the river. Time seemed to stand still in the forest. Her mother, The Woman in the Lake, found her by the river in the middle of winter. She wandered aimlessly when she heard a woman screaming from beyond the clearing. She didn't even think about the consequences and immediately rushed to aid the screaming woman.

When she got to the screaming, no one was there. The screaming continued, piercing every nerve in her body. She found herself standing there unable to move. She the figure of a woman. Her white gown dragged on the ground and her hair fell below her waist. Then everything went black.

"ARIANA!" Her mother screamed trying to wake up her daughter. Ariana slowly opened her eyes.

"Did you see her?"

"What are you talking about? There's no one else in these woods except for your sisters, you, and I. I think your nightmares are getting to you."

"No mother I'm fine, I'm just a little dizzy. Wait, how did you know about the nightmares?"

"That doesn't matter, you need to heal."

"I said I'm fine! Just leave me alone!" She stormed off, determined to find that woman again. I'm not crazy! There was a woman there! Suddenly she was attacked from behind. The woman from earlier tackled her, slamming her into a tree.

"WHAT IS GOING ON? WHY ARE YOU ATTACKING ME?"

"I have orders! Now die already so I can posses your body and live again!"

"NO GET AWAY FROM ME!" Ariana pushed the woman off of her and ran.

"COME BACK!" The woman screamed again, making Ariana dizzy. Fight it Ari, don't let her take your body! 

"Hey! Get away from her!" A man used magic and drove the creature away. That power... it's so familiar. Where have I seen it before?

"You're welcome miss! Now we need to leave, it's not safe here for a beautiful young lady like yourself." He gave her a smile and grabbed her hand.

"I'm sorry, but I can't leave. This is my home." There was a screeching sound, the same one from her dreams.

"We must leave now!" She didn't object. Fear ran through her body, and she couldn't move. He picked her up and carried her. A huge bat swooped down and tried to grab her with its talons, but he was too fast. He slid into a tight hole and they disappeared. He helped her up.

"Where are we?"

"Welcome to my world beautiful." He lead her along a trail leading out of the forest. His dark blue eyes were sparkling, his pale skin was smooth and warm to the touch, and his short black hair made this man even more dreamy. "So I never caught the beautiful lady's name." He smiled and gently squeezed her hand.

"Ariana..." 

"Ariana huh? Is there anything about you that isn't beautiful?" He kissed her cheek. I've seen him before, this all seems familiar. "Ariana? Hey are you okay?"

"Of course my love." She covered her mouth, face red as a strawberry. Did I really just say that? He laughed and kissed her lips.
"Let me show you everything from the beginning." He cupped her head in his hands. "Just trust in our love."