"GROWLLL!!" a loud piercing scream echoed in the dimly lit forest where Genevieve stood, startling her. However, when she turned to the direction from where the sound came, Genevieve instantly froze in fear.
A six-foot large monstrous three-horned troll with dreadful red glowing eyes was standing right in front of her. Its mouth immediately opened to reveal dirty long sharp canines that seemed to want to rip her apart.
"My food," growled the troll with evident hunger in its eyes.
The fear in Genevieve's heart intensified as the troll started to advance menacingly towards her. The stench of decay and filth was overpowering, making her gag.
"I didn't get to catch you yesterday, but I promise I will certainly get you and eat you." Its gruff voice echoed, with a burst of maniacal laughter.
"N-no!" she gasped, backing away slowly. She knew she had no chance against this creature, compared to it, she was like a tiny bug that could be easily crushed.
"Y-you don't need to eat me!" she blurted out, her voice quivering. "T-t-there's plenty of other things to eat!"
The troll snarled, the sound reverberating through the forest. "You're fresh," it rasped, saliva dripping from its fangs. "Humans are tasty. Your flesh will fill me."
Genevieve's heart raced as the troll advanced, its steps slow and deliberate. She knew she had to think fast, or else she would end up being this monster's meal. She looked frantically around, her eyes darting from tree to tree, searching for some kind of escape route.
Genevieve's mind was filled with panic as she frantically searched for an escape route. The troll's menacing steps were growing closer, and Genevieve could feel her heart pounding in her chest.
Suddenly, her gaze landed on a thicket of brambles just beyond the troll's position. It would be risky, but if she could make it to the thicket, she might have a chance of escaping from the troll.
In the next moment, Genevieve bolted towards the thicket, ducking and weaving through the trees.
Genevieve didn't dare to look back as she continued to run. However, the sound of snapping branches echoed behind her, signaling that the troll was chasing after her. She could feel the creature's hot breath at her heels, its monstrous footsteps closing in on her with every passing second.
As she neared the thicket, Genevieve dove into the dense undergrowth, pushing her way through the thorns that tore at her skin and clothes.
The pain was excruciating, but she couldn't afford to stop. However, just when Genevieve thought she was about to completely escape, her foot was caught in a jagged stone making her fall to the ground.
Before she could even cry out in pain, she felt the troll's claws wrap around her ankle, feeling its hot breath on her skin as it yanked her back towards its massive jaws. The sight of those razor-sharp teeth sent a wave of terror through her veins.
She struggled to break free from the troll's grip, yet it continued to cling to her, its claws pierced into her skin earning her a cry.
"You cannot run from me. I told you I would catch you, didn't I?" It laughed maniacally once more.
At that moment, time seemed to have halted as Genevieve watched in horror as the troll's jaws opened wide, ready to eat her.
As the troll's razor-sharp teeth moved closer, ready to sink into her flesh, Genevieve closed her eyes and braced herself for the pain that was about to come. She had failed; there was no escape now.
However, just before the troll's fangs could pierce into her skin, a strange warmth enveloped her and the scene before her dissolved.
**********
Genevieve shot up from sleep with a series of gasps resonating from her. Sweats of terror filled her entire body as she shook from the experience she had just encountered.
However, when she looked around, she suddenly realized she was now in a dimly lit room. No forest, no monstrous troll wanting to devour her…just silence.
It was just a dream…
Yet, everything felt so real…a troll was trying to make a meal out of her. Genevieve was sure she had never dreamt such a terrifying dream in her entire life. She wondered what would have happened if it had successfully bitten her. She couldn't help but thank the heavens.
She slowly placed her palm on her chest, trying to breathe in relief. Her eyes, however, observed the room. It was a very large room, with a set of candles arrayed on some candelabra and chandeliers.
A fireplace was next to her, which emitted warmth as the fire burnt brightly and the bed where she sat on was king-sized. The entire room was decorated with marble, emitting a glow of exquisiteness.
"W-where am I-I?" Genevieve subconsciously asked, wondering how she had gotten to this place.
However, a voice that made her blood run cold, echoed the next second.
"Home,"
Until now, the figure which had been silently relying on the wall behind Genevieve's bed, with his arms crossed, suddenly emerged
Genevieve's eyes widened in recognition. "King M-maximilian?" she whispered, barely able to believe her eyes.
"Welcome home, Genevieve." The king repeated in a low deep voice that made her realize she was now at the castle of Darkshire.
"Y-y-you–" Genevieve trailed off, unable to process a response.
Looking at her tensed features, a cold smile that scared the daylight out of her appeared on his face. "Are you planning to run away, Genevieve? I don't think you would find it very much pleasing."
Her eyes widened and she shook her head, refusing his words. H-how could she run away? Genevieve felt so weak and her eyelids were so heavy, making her think she might soon fall off the bed.
However, Genevieve sat up straighter, her hands twisting in the sheets of the bed. She gulped before asking,
"Y-your M-majesty, how did I come to be here?..." her voice trailed off, the vivid images of the forest and the troll still fresh in her mind.
King Maximilian tilted his head slightly, the flickering light accentuating his angular features. "You don't remember anything?"
She shook her head.
Maximilian's lips twitched in mirth. "Looks like you got hit harder than I thought."
His words brought a wave of disorientation in her mind.
H-hit? Genevieve pondered inwardly. All she had dreamt about was a troll. She wasn't sure she got hit. Maximilian left her mind riddled, asking,
"Looks like you've been dreaming quite an interesting dream, Genevieve."
Genevieve heart raced, wondering how he knew she had been dreaming. But of course, with Maximilian who had heard her talk and scream from her sleep, he certainly knew it was a dream.
"So tell me what did you dream about?"
She could hear his sarcastic words, knowing that her dream was anything but interesting.
"Trolls…." She trailed.
Maximilian's eyes narrowed, hearing her mention those brute beasts. It looked like the physical did control the dream world.
"It w-was trying to e-eat me." Genevieve innocently continued with the revelation of her dream.
"A troll planned on eating you? I wish I was that troll."
Genevieve's heart sank at Maximilian's dark humor. She knew there was no way to hide the terror and uncertainty she felt from the King, especially with her still in her bed, looking weak and vulnerable.
"I-it was just a nightmare, Your M-majesty," she quickly responded
Maximilian's gaze remained sharp, "Are you sure, Genevieve? Who knows….your dream might just be the one to turn to reality." Maximilian then revealed. "You have been asleep for three days."