Chapter 1
Her pillow was soaked with her sweat. Her hands were literally shaking, and she tried to move, but it felt impossible. Rose felt stuck and suffocated.
The whole place was covered in total darkness, and she saw someone coming out through the shadows. He was visible from the chest downwards, but had no face nor head.
What was that? What kind of creature was that? She whispered under her breath and tried to move back.
“I have been looking for you young one, I have to travel through every planet for you.” The faceless man voiced out, and Rose took a step backward.
“It can't be me you're looking for.” She fired back, and then she noticed his body changing, he was turning into a monster with two heads and one eye in the middle.
Rose yelled and fell on the ground while the monster moved swiftly and grabbed her by the hand.
“Your soul is mine! Now I can take what's inside you.” He said in a deep voice and left out mischievous laughter while Rose tried to free herself from his grip.
“Let me go!” She yelled and hit him on the arm, but his eyes built up in rage, and he dug his nails into her arm, and she let out a loud scream.
Suddenly, she felt footsteps coming closer and next, she felt someone shaking her heavily.
“Rosie, it's just a dream. Heavens, why are you sweating this much?” Her friend-Clara asked with concern and sat at the edge of the bed, while holding her hand.
“It felt so real. It felt so real.” Rose repeated and wiped the sweat on her face.
Then she roamed her eyes around and noticed the ray of sunshine. She had to flick her eyes to the wall clock in the room, and it was ringing at 9am.
For the past two weeks, she has been having this same nightmare. But she would rather not inform her mom, because she was going to be dead worried, and ensure that Rose doesn't even step out of the door.
She couldn't describe what the dusk of the day looked like for the past fifteen years. Rose was always indoors, being provided with all she needed.
Her clothes, her schooling, were within the wall of her room. Her mom had only told her it was a way of protecting her, but it wasn't convincing enough.
Rose has left home to meet her best friend Clara, who was thinking of what to wear for the first evening date she has with her boyfriend.
He was someone Clara has been crushing on for eleven years, and he got to ask her out just last week. Rose was so happy when she heard the news and wished she could be that lucky.
Being outside the house, she kept staring at every little thing like a visitor on the planet. She had spent the night at Clara's place because her parents were on a business trip.
“When did you say your mom was coming back from her business trip?” Clara inquired.
“Tomorrow! I will be leaving after you show me the latest mall. I'm glad I stepped out a bit. Likewise, I wonder why my mom keeps me indoors, always saying she has to protect me. From what exactly?” Rose uttered with a miffed tone.
“She might have a good reason, Rose. You remember how you broke a glass cup by just staring at it? You were literally angry that day.” Clara tried to make her understand that she wasn't ordinary.
“That was just once. Maybe I was possessed at that moment.” Rose said with a shrug and faced Clara.
“I will use the bathroom in the guest room. You can use the one here, so we can leave on time.” Clara muttered and left to take her bath.
After an hour, they were done dressing and Clara drove them to the mall. It was expensive, but her family had the money and at that moment, Clara's parents were in Australia for a business trip.
Clara parked at the garage and stepped out, and Rose followed her behind.
Rose couldn't remember the last time she stepped her legs in a place like that. It has been years for her.
The manager recognized Clara immediately, and she rushed to her. “Miss Griffin, welcome.” The manager voiced out with a wide smile.
“Thank you, I hope you have some new design in the house.” Clara whispered, and the woman nodded while stretching her hand.
Rose kept glancing around with her eyes, everything seems new to her due to the way it has been years since she stepped outside.
Her mom was always acting creepy and the last time she told her about her dream, she got really frightened and that's why she wouldn't inform her of the nightmare she has been having lately.
Her body cringed when she remembered how real it felt. It was as if the faceless monster were passing a warning to her.
Suddenly, Clara patted her on the shoulder and her attention turned to her. “Let's check out the bags first, I have some money to spend.” Clara grinned and waved her credit card before dragging Rose with her.
They stood at the bag collection while Rose tried to find the one that suited her taste. Out of the blues, a girl inside the mall yelled and everyone turned to face her direction.
“What is it?” A man asked and moved to her. The lady's hand was shaking, and she stood like a statue.
Everyone got confused and Rose had a bad feeling about it. “I will be back!” Rose uttered and moved to the lady.
“Don't leave me here!” Clara stated fearfully, she had tried to convince herself that nothing bad was going to happen, but the fear she tried to put aside was already taking over her whole body.
She was always afraid of the unseen whenever Rose had a series of nightmares daily.
The last time she had such a nightmare, thirty-five people went missing and no one had heard or seen them until now.
What was going to happen this time around, huh? And with the way the lady screamed, it meant something bad had happened-Clara thought and dragged her legs.
“Everyone, I think you need to go home. I have a bad feeling about it.” The man spoke in trembling lips while staring at the girl's phone.
Suddenly, another woman screamed, and the entire place became tense. “What is it again?” Clara asked, she was already shaking.
“Twelve people found dead with their eyes plucked out.” The woman read the news with shaking lips.
“I think I need to go home. I left my kids.” The man said and began to rush out of the mall.
“Let's leave, Rose. I'm scared…” Clara held her hand and Rose felt her body go numb. As cold shivers ran down her spine.
Twelve people died with their eyes plucked out? That's not ordinary. What does that mean? Was her dream trying to state something? She whispered while trying to think deeply.
