Night terrors (Hiatus)

2

Pacing through my house with my hands pulling at my hair was doing nothing to unravel the confusion in my mind. Part of my mind reasoned to just ignore it, it was just apart of the terror. Another part hollered for me to pursue this entity, although I literally had no idea how, and a third teased that I had simply lost it and should accept the sweet embrace of insanity.

I knew that voice would stick around the longest.

My phone alarm silenced each voice to alert me I was late for work. I had a new fear to face now. My boss... my very own grandma.

I scrambled for clothing and slapped together a barely presentable appearance before racing out of my house. Stuffing my belongings into my purse and nervously fidgeting with my sweater to try and improve the mess I clearly was, kept my eyes from in front of me. So, of course, I ran into another human being and fell on my butt.

Now, I'm talking anime scene, girl on the ground with boy standing over her but she can't see his face because the sun is glaring in her eyes... yeah, that scene.

"O-Oh my God! I'm so sorry!" I stutter out, reaching for the contents of my purse that have scattered around me. A hand reaches and it's a picture perfect moment as our hands bump reaching for my wallet.

I look up and meet soft hazel eyes gazing back at me. Waves of auburn hair rest over his forehead and his plump lips offer a kind smile. My heart flutters for a moment before my dumb self ruins it.

"Are you trying to steal my wallet?"

His eyebrows furrow as he gives me a confused look. I slap a hand over my mouth and he glances down, the smile returning and a breathy laugh leaves his mouth.

"No, I won't steal your wallet, you can keep it, this time."  He winks and a raging blush fills my cheeks.

"Ok, thanks." I murmur, continuing to shove items in my purse.

"Although, I think those are my house keys you just stole." My eyes widen at the unfamiliar set of keys in my hand, nervous laughter bubbling up from my throat as I place them in his awaiting hand. "I guess I won't be breaking into your house then."

Suffering in that moment from my stupidity the man reaches his hand out and helps me stand. His hand is warm and protects mine from the cool autumn air. The butterflies in my stomach are making me a little nauseous.

"I'm Jaehyun." He has a very kind voice and I'm grateful that at this time my sleepy mind has finally awoken fully.

"Y/N. It's nice to meet you." I smile back, my heart pounding at the realization that we are still holding hands. We both look down and Jaehyun nervously laughs as he slowly releases his grip.

"Sorry about that, oh, and for getting in your way." He rubs the back of his neck, the confident air that seemed to surround him before now replaced by shyness.

"I should have been watching where I was go- OH MY GOD I'M LATE FOR WORK!"

Turning on my heel I begin sprinting down the sidewalk, confidence allowing me to wave and call over my shoulder, "I'll see you around!"

~

Rushing up to the locked door of my bookstore I can already feel the burning eyes of a certain 70-year-old woman. I enter the store, stashing my belongings and hurrying through my opening duties, doing my best to ignore the angry woman standing at the door.

"Y/N."

Her familiar steely voice calls and had it the power I think I could have turned to flames right on the spot. "Oh, hi Grandma..." my voice is shaky and why am I such a wimp when it comes to this woman?

Maybe it's the powerful aura of an elderly business owner.
Or the overbearing grandmotherly love I know I'm about to be smothered with.

"Are you feeling ok? How did you sleep? Is that why you're late? We should get you back into the doctors, I'll call Dr. Jung today." Grandma squishes my cheeks between her hands, giving me a once (twice, thrice) over. The rapid fire onslaught melts away my clenched smile into an exhausted and annoyed expression.

I reach up, removing her hands. "Grandma, relax. I just lost track of time. Plus, I already have an appointment with Dr. Jung tomorrow."

Grandma sighs and links our hands together. "You know I just worry. No matter what, I will always worry."

"I know, and it's appreciated, no matter how overwhelming. But you have to go now. You can't run a business empire from my bookstore."

"Overwhel-" pushing her out, the door is shut before I can receive a scolding and an annoyed look returned with a cheeky smile is our compromise.

So, for the rest of the day, I fold myself into my chair and assist customers with their every book need. And as the clock strikes closing time and the light of the sun fades beyond the horizon I begin the anxious process of preparing myself for the night ahead.

The walk home has me practicing deep breathes and soothing mantras, though they never really help in the moment. They always seem to slip my mind.

I enter my home, slugging my purse onto the couch and heading to my room for some comfortable clothes.

For the second time that day I bump into someone. However, it's a bit more alarming when you're supposed to be home alone.

I look up, not expecting to be face to face with a bird skull. I can hear that flight response screaming in the back of my mind RUN! RUN! It's a monster!"

But for some reason, maybe the odd calm that takes over my demeanor or the curiosity that fills my head from this new character in my life, I stand there staring back into those voided eyes.

Then the annoyance of getting my house broken into kicks in and my hand lashes out, grabbing its wrist firmly and I shout,

"HEY!"

Tada! A longer chapter to make up for that short opening chapter! Things are picking up a lot faster than the last edition and so far I'm happy with how this is progressing! What do you guys think? Jaehyun? A strange entity?
Thanks for reading! :)