Nightmare

Sara kept on running, not even bothering to look over her shoulder. The branches were scratching her face and snagging her clothes and tangled hair as though trying to stop her from escaping whatever was chasing her. She crashed through the forest, her feet pounding the ground. Her heart was beating wildly in her chest and the creature was gaining on her with every step. By the time the trees started clearing, Sara had lost both of her slippers and he monster was close enough that she could hear it’s snarling breath behind her.

Sara began to see the edge of the forest up ahead. Panting, she gave another burst of speed and ran for her life. She knew that she would be safe once she reached the end of the trees…

Her foot caught on a raised root and she stumbled. A poorly  placed tree stump then sent her flying and she crashed into a thorn bush. She winced as the prickly thorns pierced her skin. She dragged herself out and tried to start running again, but every time she got up she slipped on the wet ground. She tried one more time and her ankle twisted painfully.

Sara started panicking as she scrambled to her feet wincing as her ankle gave away. She could hear the creatures footsteps shaking the ground, getting closer and closer, heading right towards her…

She tuned around and screamed.

*                       

Sara woke up screaming. She was drenched in sweat and felt as though she had ran in a marathon.

She slipped out of bed and winced when her foot touched the floor. Then she frowned. She couldn’t remember hurting her ankle. She didn’t think that was something she would forget easily, but then again, it had been a long day yesterday.

She was filled with sudden dread as she remembered her dream- The running, trying to escape the clutches of a monster, the tripping and falling. Twisting her ankle…

Sara gasped. That wasn’t possible, was it? It was just a dream. Only a dream. Right?

She kept on repeating this to herself as she made her way to the bathroom, making sure not to put to much pressure on her injured foot. Her feet were chilly, but her warm blue slippers were nowhere in sight.

She closed the door behind her and gaped at her self in the mirror. Her face was covered in scratches and her hair was in knots. Twigs and leaves were sticking out of her hair and she gasped when she spotted a giant bruise on her chin. Her pajamas were torn and dirty and had buttons missing. In other words, she looked a mess.

 And to think, this was all because of a nightmare…