A young woman in a silky white dress was running though a deep and dense forest, seemingly being chased by someone or something. She kept looking over her shoulders to see if her pursuers where still following her. Her body was covered in dirt and sweat, her eyes were weary and filled with fear.
While she was running, she tripped and fell down on the ground but before she could get back up on her feet again, the trees vines at her feet seemed to come alive, entangling her feet, hands and coiling around her neck.
Overwhelmed with fear and panic, she struggled desperately to break free from her restrains. Her eyes widen in terror as the vines started to tighten around her neck, strangling her and no matter how much she struggled, she couldn't break free.
The terrible feeling of asphyxiation made her feel like she couldn't fight anymore and that she'll die soon but then she head someone calling her name repeatedly, asking her to wake up.
After a desperate struggle, she finally broke free and woke up panting heavily and gasping for air as her hands felt around her neck to make sure that nothing was wrapped around her neck. Her body was drenched in cold sweat. Her eyes filled with fear and dread.
''Sister, are you alright?'' Nayah asked, her express. ion full of worry.
''You were having a nightmare again'' She quickly went to pour a cup of water for her.
After gulping down the water, it took a some time for Nalani to finally calm down her nerves.
''Nala, are you feeling better now?'' Nayah asked.
Nalani nodded with a smile.
For years, she had been plagued with these same nightmares and even going for therapy hasn't been able to help her get rid of these dreams.
''Sorry for waking you up at this time, I'm okay now so you can go back to sleep'' she said.
Seeing her reassuring smile, Nayah agreed and went back to lie down on her bed.
''I'll go and check up on mother''.
She got up and walked out of the bedroom. She walked quietly into her mother's bedroom and breathed a sigh of relief to find out that she hasn't been disturbed by her but was sound asleep. She smiled gently seeing her mom's peaceful face. Nalani closed the door and walked over to sit in the living room.
Since she couldn't sleep anymore then she might as well work on her project. She's a well sort after photographer that makes sure to capture stunning and unforgettable moments. Upon switching on her laptop, the lovely screensaver of her and her boyfriend made her smile foolishly, her eyes filled with overflowing love for the man in the picture. He was a tall and handsome man with sharp features.
Taking her phone, she quickly send an 'I miss you' text to her boyfriend.
Somewhere far away, in the middle of a secluded forest stood a glass villa, the horrific screams and cries for mercy of a man can be heard coming from a room. Outside the door stood a young man wearing spectacles and in a black suit.
The phone he was holding vibrated with a message, it's bright light illuminating the man's cold expression. He quickly typed something on the phone, switched it off and shoved it back into his pocket. After a long time, the screams stopped and silence was all that was felt.
The man outside the door took in a deep breath before mustering up the courage to push open the door and entering the room.
Inside the room stood a tall young man covered in blood, holding a bloody whip and standing in a daze over the mutilated body of a young man chained up and had undergone immense pain and torture. Only the little twitching of his body showed that he was still alive.
His body was covered in all types of wounds, his clothes and flesh mangled together. He looked at the body without expression as though what he was seeing was not a human but a dog.
''Master, please you need to clean up''. he said respectively.
''Hmm'' The man coldly nodded and then looked at his blood soaked hands with disgust.
''So dirty.'' he mumbled.
Then turning to look at his subordinate, he ordered, ''Get a doctor to treat him. Make sure he's saved and when he's well again, we can continue to play. If he dies so soon, how boring that would be''.
His voice was deep, sharp and cold, sending chills down ones spine. The next morning, the Soren family of three eats breakfast happily. Mom was paralytic and bound to a wheelchair. Nalani patiently fed her while Nayah wearing a uniform rushes through her meal.
''When is brother-in-law returning back? I'm still waiting for that limited edition bag he promised to get for me.''
Hearing her mentioned her boyfriend, Nalani couldn't help blushing and smiled but she scolded her, '' Nayah, how many times have l warned you not to demand for things from him. Is this how l taught you? What will think of our family?''
Pouting, Nayah quickly retorted, ''I don't demand for anything from him. He just gives them to me. Besides he's so rich that such gifts are trivial to him. Brother-in-law loves you so much so making you happy is his top priority. That's why he pampers me too so no matter what you say, I'll shamelessly keeps asking for stuffs.''
Her defiant expression left Nalani feeling flabbergasted.
She sighed and shook her head in exasperation, ''You're simply without shame. Also stop calling him brother-in-law. We're not yet married''.
Nayah took a slice of bread, added jam and bite into it and then nonchalantly replied,'' So what? You two will get married sooner or later so calling him brother-in-law is nothing''.
Seeing that Nalani wasn't saying anything, she continued with her rant, ''My good sister. This the man of your dreams. He's handsome, super rich and so generous. If you don't marry such a man, you'll surely regret it''. Her dramatic and exaggerated facial expression caused Nalani to laugh as she ate.
''You know what, you talk too much. What are you? A bird?''
The two sisters laughed, chided and teased each other. The atmosphere was warm and homely, however, none of them noticed the the unease and frantic look in their mother's eyes. Many years ago, she was involved in a fatal car crash that claimed her husband's life and left her paralytic, forever bound to a wheelchair. Unable to move any part of her body nor speak.
She could only communicate through eye signals. She had to rely on medicine and her family to stay alive until now. After their meal, Nayah was getting late foe school so she left first after bidding farewell to her mother and sister.
Nalani also left for work after waiting for the special caretaker for her mom to arrive. Although, she earns quite a decent amount working as a photographer, it still wasn't enough to cover her family's expenses so she does other part time jobs.