My heart skips a beat. I'm running, faster than I could possibly imagine my feet are moving so quick that I might even take up into the sky like a bird. But my body is burning up and it seems I can't quit running now, not when my nightmare is right behind me waiting for me to give up and give in. The road is endless, empty and around me is darkness. I feel myself falling forward about to give up but I urge myself to continue the fight, the battle that I must face sooner or later. And then it happens...
BOOM! A silver Volkswagen drops down from the reappearing Sky. And I'm stuck. Standing like a statue just until the grey cars lights flash twice at me, then my insides felt like their being squeezed and anxiety crawled under my bronze skin. I slowly staggered backwards then I turned around to make a run for it. The engine of the car roared to life and the chase began. My eyes were filled with terror as I ran for my dear life. I couldn't resist it, I had to look back and see the bizarre monster that was trying to kill me and I did. I stopped briefly my breathing skills failing me now and then, my heart racing faster than I ever could. I took a glimpse at the monster, he's in the car. Wearing a long black cloak that's covered most of his face the parts of skin I could see were pale, pale would be an understatement as he was almost grey. The hand he used to grip the steering wheel had sharp, curved nails that were definitely jet-black. His or shall I say its face was just a mere shadow hidden by the black cloak, I could only see its lips, which as soon as I gazed into, changed form. It grinned at me, my eyes engulfed in fear and horror turned round again to continue my endless running. But behind me was a cliff at least 2,000 metres high. I was just one small step from falling to my death. Then my mind went blank and all I could recall is either way I'm still going to die. So I calmly close my eyes and jump. I open my eyes again. He's here holding me its hand digging into my skin, then it holds one hand to its lips. "Shhh!"
I woke up screaming this morning my mom came bolting into my room AGAIN. Now, it seems as if these 'nightmares' would never end. It got harder everyday. A tear slipped down my eye at the thought of closing my eyes and seeing the monster again.
"Mira, when is this going to end sweetheart" My mother said as she searches my eyes for answers. She doesn't know about the beasts and demons, why would I worry her with that? It was truly only a dream, this time.
"Mama, I'm sorry they just won't stop" I replied.
"I know darling but you'll be going back to school soon, I think you need help." when mother spoke her words she was trying to comfort me. I supposed to be going back University in a week, at least that's what she thinks. In truth, I'm going back there...the woodlands. She sat beside me in my bed her arms wrapped around me. This made me feel safe, like nothing could hurt me. Well, as long as I didn't close my eyes. But if there was anything I wanted least in this world it would be to 'see someone' I'm not running mad, am I? I've just been having terribly horrifying nightmares everyday since the last 6 months. Nothing out of the ordinary, everyone gets nightmares, especially when there's a war going on between humans and monsters. My mother broke my train of thought.
"Just think about it Maria, this could help stop your bad dreams and find some peace." They more than just 'bad dreams' , but I don't her to know about what's really happening. I'll let her believe I'm just troubled and in need of therapy. It's the best way.
"Mama, I don't need a therapist." I said.
"My dear I understand but when you're off to school, I'm not gonna be around to hold you when they start again." I kept silent for a second trying to reason with mother's wants for me. But I still didn't see any point in actually going to see a therapist.
"I will go if it makes you happy." I lied. Trying to make my mother smile.
"If you go I'll do all I can to help pay for your trip." She said. I need the money incase I had to pay a ransom in the other world.
"You serious Mama?" I look at her and she nods and smiles, with that she lets go of me and walked gracefully out of my room.
I stared up at the ceiling, looking mesmerised at the glow in the dark stars I stuck on my ceiling all those years ago. They were still there not one had fallen since the day my mother and I had stuck them up there. I remember that wonderful day vividly. It was my birthday and my father had travelled to France for work, he said that a beautiful package was waiting for me later in the day. Then, it was just my older sister and I. My first gift was from my mother. It was perfect smooth white pearls alined together to create a beautiful necklace. My mother told me that it was a special gift from her grandmother and she wanted me to have it. Although I've never met my great grandmother, I'm sure she had very extravagant taste. I could imagine her thick white hair, silk clothing and white pearls covering her frail skin making her look magnificent. Just like a queen. My sister, Rosa gave me one of her dolls that she never played with. I think my mother forced her to, she never liked me that much anyway. But the best was saved for last, I travel deeper into old memories...
"Maria, Maria!" My mother shouted.
"Yes, Mama" I heard my mother's call and ran down the steps joyfully in a frilly pink dress and my hair tied in pigtails with big bright pink bows in each. I looked like Goldilocks but the colour of my hair was far from golden. My shiny golden shoes clogged as I scampered across the corridor to my mama.
"Sweetheart, look your father brought your gift" she held a huge wrapped parcel in her hands. I was overwhelmed with excitement. A huge smile developed on my face.
"Wow, what's inside?" I ask.
"I don't know, open it and see." I looked at the gift with wide eyes and held it with both hands. The wrapping paper was beautiful: a royal blue with yellow stars. As I tore my way through the wrapping paper within it was a box. "Mama, I love it" when I saw what was inside I was so amazed. The box was filled with dozens of glow in the dark stars, hundreds possibly thousands of them. My mother laughed hysterically, why so many...stars? But it didn't matter, there a was a letter. My father had handwritten it, it read.
To my beloved, Dear Mirabella
Your 8th birthday wouldn't be the same without 8 hundred stars to represent it. The moon without stars is like me without you my little princess. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for your birthday but remember wherever you see stars always know I'm there to protect you. Happy Birthday!
From your dear father.
There was also a voice recording of a song he used to sing to me called little bright star. Sometimes I retrieve the recorder from under my bed and listen to it till I fall asleep, because these days it's the only thing that works. Then, never in million years would I have guessed that all the times when my father announced he would be going to France, Spain, Brazil for 'work', he was in the other world, the woodlands.