The world began to spin... spin... spin... and I was suddenly awake, bolt upright, panting and gasping for breath. I didn't even notice that a scream had slipped out of my lips.
My door opened and my mother stepped inside. "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I muttered, "Just a nightmare."
I forced a smile to reassure her, and she nodded as she walked outside.
I took deep breaths in the silence as I turned on the lamp on my bedside table, and went to grab a cup of water.
As I sat back down and finished drinking, I reached into my pillow and grabbed my diary, looking at it with disbelief and fear.
But I shook my head. This couldn't be true.
"It was just a dream..." I whispered,
"And the clock tower was a coincidence. I've probably seen it before, and unconsciously described it as my own idea."
I took a deep breath, my heart coming to a decision. My face seemed to tense as my brain stirred. I sat up quickly as I blinked my eyes into focus.
It was already twelve AM, and I would never be able to sleep after a nightmare, unless I did something to ground myself.
I would write another story.
I picked up my pen, refilled its ink, and turned to the right page.
*The boy was only six when his house burned down.* I wrote,
*He lost his beloved pet dog, Titan, in the tragic accident, and lived the rest of his life trying to adapt.
But it just wasn't the same.
He bought a new dog, moved to a larger and grander house with his parents, and eventually, life did find a new rhythm.
Because we can never regain what we have lost, but there's always room for new beginnings.*
I put down my pen, and felt myself calm down, my eyes growing heavy with sleepiness.
I went to sleep without any dreams this time, and woke up the next day feeling oddly energetic.
I changed into my uniform, and began to get ready for school.
I waved goodbye to my parents as I walked out.
In a few minutes I reached my class and stepped inside.
The day passed by as usual, the time moving as if someone had frozen it.
And it was all fine until recess.
I bit into my sandwich as I walked through the corridors, silently observing everything around me.
But then, I saw a boy who looked strangely out of place. He was not in uniform, and he looked as if he didn't belong to the school at all.
I raised my eyebrows as I noticed he was staring directly at me. And then he parted his lips in a broken whisper,
"Why did you erase my home? You burned it down!" Betrayal flared in his eyes, which were full of tears that were too gentle to form, as he slightly raised his voice, "You could have left me to my blissful life. If it wasn't for you, Titan would still be here!"
I took a step back, wishing my heart wouldn't be threatening to thump out into my trembling hands.
He spoke again, his voice calmer this time. Colder.
"Discard that notebook today, or my tribe will come for you."
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8Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UbBxDlUkY
and then Add to home screen.