Reminder:
This chapter features multiple points of view (POVs) to provide insight into each character's perspective and motivations. Be sure to express the thoughts and emotions of each character thoroughly to give readers a well-rounded understanding of the events unfolding.
Armann's POV
"Please, don't," a scared little voice echoed around us, breaking the tense silence.
Taaliyah, positioned between her parents and me, halted her steps, frozen by the sudden appearance of a child. Our childAstra, with tears welling in her eyes, rushed towards her mother, embracing her tightly.
"Please, Mommy, don't go with them," Astra pleaded desperately, clinging to her mother. But Taaliyah remained unmoved, her expression blank and devoid of emotion.
'What is she doing here?' I asked myself, feeling a pang of sorrow. 'My poor baby. She's not supposed to be here. She can't be!' I lamented silently.
"Mommy! Mommy! Mommy—" Astra's pleas continued, but Taaliyah seemed oblivious, pushing Astra away as she resumed her advance towards her parents. Yet Astra persisted, trailing after her mother, urging her to reconsider.
I attempted to move, but an oppressive weight settled over my chest, rendering me immobile. Though I couldn't budge an inch, my surroundings remained vividly clear, a cruel reminder of my waking state amidst Taaliyah's nightmare.
As the pressure intensified, I struggled to breathe, sensing a looming presence observing me. My head throbbed with pain, my vision blurring with each futile attempt to move.
'If this continues, Astra will suffer the same fate and be trapped in her mother's nightmare,' I realized with growing dread. It was perilous for us to remain here.
Taaliyah, in her third REM stage, was deeply entrenched in her dreams, leaving us all vulnerable. If this persisted, Astra and I would be ensnared here indefinitely.
The realization hit me hard; I was experiencing sleep paralysis within Taaliyah's nightmarish realm.
Summoning all my willpower, I struggled against the invisible restraints, gradually calming my mind and regulating my breathing.
After an agonizing twenty seconds, the pressure eased, and the paralysis began to dissipate. My hair fell freely around me as sensation returned to my body, starting from my fingertips and gradually spreading to encompass my entire being.
With newfound mobility, I wasted no time, sprinting towards them as fast as my legs would carry me.
Reaching Taaliyah, I grasped her shoulders, locking eyes with her. What I saw startled me—a vacant expression devoid of life, her gaze fixed upon her parents. A solitary tear trickled down her cheek, yet her visage remained impassive.
Though she seemed unwilling, her body moved of its own accord.
"YOU DARE!" her mother's enraged voice shattered the uneasy silence, and in an instant, the surroundings transformed, transporting us to a moonlit cemetery. More figures emerged, covered in black attire and masks, encircling us. Taaliyah's parents vanished amidst the shifting landscape.
Among the six figures stood two men, distinguished by their black overcoats and Amish hats. One, a stranger to me, but the other—
"Akumu," I murmured.
Akumu, a superhuman classified as an Upper Hand, held dominion over nightmares. His twin, Kuso, presided over daydreams.
As the scene glitched, signaling the impending end of Taaliyah's dream, panic set in. Time was running out, and if we didn't escape, we'd be trapped here indefinitely.
"This won't work," I muttered, realizing the dire consequences. We needed to act swiftly to avoid certain doom. Removing my hands from Taaliyah's shoulders, I turned to my daughter Astra, her fear palpable.
"Astra, listen carefully. I know you're scared and confused, but you have to remember something important—I'm doing this for you and your mom because I love you both," I whispered urgently. "No matter what happens, don't let go of your mom's hand, ok."
Everything that is happening right now is too much for her. She is scared and I am too.
I clasped their hands firmly, knowing they would forget everything, including me. But if it meant their safety, I was willing to sacrifice myself.
With resolve in my heart, I positioned myself before them, ready to defend them against any threat. Suddenly, Astra and Taaliyah vanished from behind me, appearing beside the tall figure.
"Don't interfere, former Armann! She must die, and I'm here to claim her soul," the imposing figure declared with authority.
"She doesn't deserve this! It's my curse to bear, not hers! Please, spare them!" I pleaded, my voice raw with desperation.
"Arman! Let the Reaper do his duty. You cannot defy fate," Akumu interjected.
My heart sank as I realized the gravity of the situation. The Reaper, embodiment of death, stood before us.
Terror coursed through me at the Reaper's presence. My skin prickled with goosebumps, and a cold sweat broke out across my brow.
"Please, I beg of you—don't take her," I implored, sinking to my knees in supplication.
"She had four more days with you, but your interference has sealed her fate," the Reaper intoned gravely.
Tears welled in my eyes as the weight of my actions bore down upon me.
"No!" I cried out in despair. This wasn't what I intended! I only wanted to save her—to protect her—.
My protests died on my lips as I realized the truth. I was the catalyst for her premature demise, and now, I was powerless to stop it.
As the Reaper seized Taaliyah's hand, I relinquished all hope, bowing my head in defeat.
Taaliyah's POV
A minute ago, I was beaming with joy, introducing Arman to my parents, but in an instant, everything changed.
I can't recall the details of what transpired, but as I regained consciousness, I found myself standing beside a man clad in a coat, holding my left hand while gazing intently at my right while sobbing.
"What are you doing here?" The man holding my left hand spoke, his gaze fixed on my right hand where Astra clenched tightly.
Confusion swirled within me as I tried to grasp the sudden turn of events. "What is going on? This is supposed to be Taaliyah's nightmare, set in a cemetery—a manifestation of her deepest fears and the impending doom she's facing," the smaller man beside him analyzed, his voice laced with concern. "What shall we do? It's not her time yet, right?"
The tall figure remained silent, his attention drawn to a floating red envelope that materialized before him. As he retrieved it and read its contents in silence, a sense of foreboding settled over me.
Amidst the chaos, I caught sight of Arman running towards us, only to be intercepted by another suited figure.
Caught in a whirlwind of emotions, I struggled to comprehend the unfolding situation.
"The answer is here," the tall man demanded, brandishing the red envelope. His eyes darted between me and Arman. "The child is involved. I will claim her soul as well!"
I watched with trepidation as anger flashed across Arman's face upon hearing those words.
"Who are you?" I asked as my voice trembled with fear for Astra's safety but the man didn't bat an eye.
"Don't lay a finger on my daughter," Arman retorted fiercely.
I gripped Astra's hand tightly as I positioned her protectively behind me. "What is happening?" I pressed, desperate for answers.
The man turned towards me once more, his tone ominous. "You had four days left to live, but thanks to your husband's interference, you've forfeited that time. And now, with your child's unexpected presence here, I'll claim her too."
A chill ran down my spine at his words, sending a wave of panic coursing through me. Though I couldn't comprehend the situation fully, I was determined to shield Astra from harm at all costs.
As the tall man reached out towards Astra, I instinctively intervened.
"Taaliyah, it's your dream. Focus on something—anything," Arman urgently shouted.
If this was indeed my dream, then I could exert control over this realm with the power of my mind and protect Astra from his grasp.
With my daughter sobbing beside me, I closed my eyes and concentrated with all my might, willing something joyful to materialize. 'Please, please, please!'
~ To be Continued ~