Nightmare of Fatality

Chapter Two

Lena had to fight not to scream as she wrenched her eyes open the next morning. Once again, sweat dripped from her body, her hair plastered to her forehead. Her dream had been nearly identical to the one the night before. This time, however, there was a second half even more disturbing than just a kidnapping.

She threw the covers off of her, suddenly wondering how she made it into bed. The last thing she remembered was crying on the floor. It was Friday morning and as she glanced at the clock, she realized she had all of fifteen minutes to get ready for the bus.

More than anything, she wanted to skip school, not only for the fact that school was more than she could handle right now, but she didn't want to face Serena. Just the thought of the anger in her eyes made Lena want to cry again. Instead, she rushed around her room, getting ready for school.

After she was dressed, she grabbed her backpack and darted down the stairs. "Bye mom!" she called, heading for the door.

"Bye? Where are you going, sweetie?" her mom called back, poking her head around the corner from the kitchen.

Lena stopped and looked over her shoulder, confused. "Um… School…" she said slowly. She realized her mistake as soon as her mother started laughing.

"Honey, it's Saturday."

With a sigh of half relief, half nervousness, she dropped her bag to the floor and headed into the kitchen. She forced a laugh and looked up at her parents, who were watching the news over coffee. "Wow, do I feel…" She stopped midsentence as she glanced at the television. The reporter was talking about a missing child. A photo was in the upper right corner of the screen.

And she was wearing a blue dress.

"Leanne Murphey was last seen last night at Earlington Park at seven PM. She is four years old and was last seen wearing a blue dress. Her parents, Lisa and Andrew Murphey, took her there to play, but lost sight of her. The police aren't sure if this incident is connected to five year old, Alice Lambert's, disappearance last month. If you have any information about Leanne Murphey or Alice Lambert, please call…"

The reporter faded off the screen to be replaced by the smiling faces of Leanne and Alice, their ages and descriptions below the photos along with a phone number to call with any information. As the photos were replaced once again by the reporter, Lena realized she was hyperventilating. Her parents seemed to be in shock as well; her mother's hands were over her mouth as she stared at the television. She barely noticed her parents' discomfort at the news, though, for she was recalling her nightmares.

Oh my god… This can't be happening… Not to me… she thought, beginning to shake her head in disbelief. She felt rooted to the spot where she stood, but as her parents turned to look at her, somehow she managed to bolt from the room.

She heard her parents call after her, but she couldn't stop moving. She bolted upstairs and shut her door behind her, making sure it was locked. Then, she sank to the floor, trying to catch her breath. Her vision grew hazy from too much oxygen and the second half of her most recent dream flashed before her eyes.

She was running through the woods, heart pounding. She thought she was looking for something, but then she realized she was looking for someone. But she had no idea where she was, where the woods were. It was dark and branches tore at her face and clothes. Gasping for breath, she slowed to a stop at what appeared to be a small clearing. Through the darkness, she saw there were large rocks placed throughout the grass. At a closer glance, she realized the rocks headed grave sites. There had to be at least ten graves, but one stood out in her eyesight. It was freshly dug and empty. It seemed like it was waiting for someone…