Chapter Fourteen: The Nightmare Unfolds
The night had settled over the village, casting a blanket of silence that was broken only by the rustling leaves and the occasional chirp of crickets.
Outside Adam's house, Ricky stood under the faint moonlight. His broad frame, draped in simple but sturdy clothing, cast a shadow against the wooden fence.
His dark hair ruffled slightly in the breeze, but his eyes were fixed on the two figures standing before him.
The man standing opposite Ricky was tall and muscular, his blonde hair shining even in the dim light.
His rugged face bore numerous scars—silent testaments to the countless battles he had endured.
This was Sam, father to Sophia and George, and an experienced hunter. Beside him stood Komal, his wife, whose fiery orange hair seemed to glow in the dark.
Her sharp eyes carried a mix of concern and determination.
Sam was the first to speak, his deep voice cutting through the quiet. "Is your boy alright?"
Ricky hesitated, a hint of worry clouding his expression. "I don't know," he admitted. "He suddenly fainted this afternoon. He's resting now."
Sam nodded solemnly, sensing Ricky's unease but refraining from prying further. Meanwhile, the scene shifted indoors, revealing Adam's room.
Inside the modest wooden house, Adam lay motionless on his bed. His face was pale, his breathing steady but shallow.
Beside him sat Rachel, his mother, her hand resting lightly on his arm as though her touch alone could shield him from harm.
She wore a forced smile, her eyes betraying the fear she refused to show.
Nearby, Adam's siblings, Yami and Eric, hovered anxiously. Yami, ever the optimist, tried to lighten the mood. "Mom, don't worry. Adam will be fine," she said softly, her voice filled with conviction.
Rachel turned to her daughter, her lips curving into a faint smile. "I know, dear," she replied, though the tightness in her voice was hard to miss.
In the corner of the room stood Sophia, her arms crossed and her face clouded with worry. She had been unusually quiet since Adam's fainting spell, replaying the events of the day in her mind. He's been acting strange all day. What's going on with him? she wondered.
Beside her, George leaned against the wall, his expression serious as he watched over his sister and Adam. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the quiet broken only by the occasional creak of the wooden floorboards.
Outside, the conversation continued.
Komal addressed Rachel, who had stepped out to join them. "Rachel, I think you're overthinking this," Komal said gently, placing a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder. "I may not be an expert, but I've seen cases like this before. Sometimes it just happens—nothing to worry about."
Rachel sighed, her worry easing slightly at Komal's words.
Sam, standing a few paces away, smiled faintly. "Ricky, I'm leaving Sophia and George here tonight. Komal and I will be out hunting until morning," he said, nodding toward the group of hunters waiting in the shadows beyond the gate.
Ricky returned the smile, his gratitude evident. "I'll watch over them. Stay safe out there."
With a final farewell, Sam and Komal joined their companions, disappearing into the night. Ricky and Rachel lingered for a moment, their thoughts heavy, before stepping back inside.
The stillness of the night was shattered as Adam's eyes flew open. He sat up abruptly, his breathing labored, his heart pounding in his chest.
His room was empty now, the comforting presence of his family gone. The silence was oppressive, amplifying the unsettling feeling that gripped him.
Suddenly, a sharp scream pierced the night.
Adam's blood ran cold. The voice was unmistakable—it was his mother.
Without a second thought, Adam threw off the covers and bolted from his bed.
His feet carried him through the house, his movements driven by pure instinct. He burst through the front door and into the garden, the chill of the night air biting at his skin.
The village street lay before him, shrouded in darkness. The faint light of the moon illuminated a gruesome scene.
The ground was slick with blood, dark stains pooling across the cobblestones. Adam's breath hitched as he tried to comprehend the horror before him.
Then, he saw her.
Rachel was staggering toward him, her steps uneven, her body trembling.
Her dress was soaked with blood, and multiple arrows protruded from her back, their shafts glinting in the dim light.
"Mom!" Adam cried, his voice breaking.
His legs felt like lead as he tried to move toward her, his body frozen with fear. Behind Rachel, three figures emerged from the shadows, their twisted smiles sending shivers down Adam's spine.
The first man carried a bow, casually notching another arrow as though he were hunting game. The second held a sword, its blade gleaming ominously.
The third wielded a spear, its tip stained with blood. Their laughter echoed through the street, cold and cruel.
Adam's heart pounded as he struggled to move, to shout a warning to his mother. But his body refused to obey. His limbs felt paralyzed, his voice caught in his throat.
The swordsman stepped forward, his movements predatory and deliberate. With a single, fluid motion, he leaped toward Rachel, his blade slicing through the air.
"No!" Adam screamed internally, tears streaming down his face.
The sword struck, its sharp edge cutting through Rachel's neck. Her head fell to the ground, her body collapsing lifelessly beside it.
Adam's world shattered.
"No!" he screamed, his voice raw and desperate.
The sound of his own voice jolted him awake.
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Adam's eyes snapped open, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. Sweat drenched his body, and his heart raced as though he had just run a marathon. The familiar surroundings of his room came into focus, the nightmare fading like a cruel shadow.
"Adam!"
Sophia was at his side, her hand gripping his tightly. "It's okay. You're safe. It was just a bad dream," she said, her voice soothing but edged with worry.
Rachel burst into the room, her face pale with fear. "Adam, are you alright?" she asked, rushing to his side.
Adam looked around, his gaze lingering on the concerned faces of his family and friends. He took a deep breath, the weight of the nightmare still heavy on his chest.
"It… it was just a dream," he whispered, trying to convince himself as much as them.
Rachel pulled him into a tight embrace, her relief palpable. Adam closed his eyes, leaning into her warmth, but his mind was far from calm.
It felt so real, he thought, his hands trembling.
As Rachel released him, Adam's gaze drifted toward the window.
The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the village. His heart skipped a beat as he noticed something—a faint shadow moving in the distance.
And with that, the chapter came to a close, leaving Adam with the unsettling realization that his nightmare might have been more than just a dream.
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End of Chapter Fourteen