Chapter 1 Another nightmare
The sky was dark and gloomy, the trees looming like skeletal fingers as I ran through the forest, my bare feet pounding against the damp earth. The rustling of leaves and snapping of twigs beneath my feet echoed through the night air, and I could see someone chasing me, their footsteps heavy and deliberate. I looked down at myself, and my nightdress clung to my skin, the fabric torn and frayed from the branches I'd brushed past. Why was I here in the forest at this ungodly hour? My thoughts racing, my heart pounding in my chest like a drum.
I tripped on a boulder, the rough stone scraping against my skin, and I cried out in pain. "Ouch..." The sound of my own voice was swallowed by the darkness. The figure stopped a few feet away from me, its presence looming like a specter. "Who are you?" I demanded, trying to sound brave, but my voice trembled slightly. There was only silence in response, the kind of silence that made my skin crawl.
The shadow began to move closer, its footsteps deliberate and menacing. I tried to scramble to my feet, but my ankle throbbed in protest. "Please," I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper, "what do you want?" But there was no answer, just the sound of crickets chirping in the distance.
The sky began to roar, and a spark of lightning illuminated the dark sky, casting an eerie glow over the forest. The flash was brief, but it was enough to make me see the figure's features, or rather, the lack thereof. A strangled gasp woke me up, my heart still racing from the adrenaline coursing through my veins.
My eyes wide and searching, I took in the familiar contours of my bedroom. The soft glow of the moonlight streaming through the window cast shadows on the walls, and then it was gone. And everything turned dark again. The distant voice of my aunt calling my name, "Amelia!" was a comforting reality against the fading terror of the dream.
I stretched out my hands, searching for my cane, the familiar weight of it a reassuring presence. I tapped it against the floor, the sound echoing through the room, and began to make my way to the bathroom. The cool tile beneath my feet was a welcome respite from the darkness that still lingered in my mind.
As I brushed my teeth, the minty flavor of the toothpaste filled my mouth, and I was lost in thought about my dream. Why were my dreams becoming so vivid? And why couldn't I shake the feeling of unease that lingered long after I woke up?
Leaving the bathroom, I grabbed my white shirt blouse and slipped on an black ankle-length skirt, my aunt kept for me, we chose it yesterday, she says it looks hot and simple, just like me, ever since I lost my sight I always wondered how I look, I was ready to head downstairs, the fabric rustling softly as I moved. I made my way to the steps, tapping my Cain with each step I take, the creak of the stairs beneath my feet familiar and comforting. When I reached the bottom, I turned left, counting twenty baby steps, and dashed into the chair in front of me.
"Amelia darling!" my aunt Stacy called out from the kitchen, her voice warm and gentle. "Have your breakfast, today you have a long day." The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and toast wafted through the air, and my stomach growled in anticipation.
As I sat down to eat, I felt a wave of anxiety wash over me. What if I failed? What if no one liked my project? I grabbed Stacy's waist, holding her tight. "I'm scared, Nanna," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
Silly girl, you are the brightest mind I know, you have a sharp tongue and can argue well, you don't back down from a fight, and from the time you were little, I have seen an unknown power grow within you, do not doubt yourself. Her warm hands caressed my cheeks, and eased the storm that was brewing in my mind and heart.
The doorbell rang, and I knew it was Alex, my grandfather's new bodyguard. I held onto his arm, the feel of his muscular physique beneath my hand a reassuring presence. He opened the car door for me, and I slid into the seat, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as the door closed behind me.
