Chapter 1: A Fractured Morning
I woke up with a start, my mind still tangled in the remnants of a dream that felt all too real. The persistent echo of a whispered warning lingered even as I rubbed my eyes. As I shuffled into the morning routine—brushing my hair, dressing quickly—I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that something was off.
In the mirror, I caught a glimpse of Atlas Kace standing by the doorway. He was new to our campus, and even now, his calm presence unsettled me. He'd been waiting there, his expression a mix of concern and quiet curiosity.
"Morning, Ama," he said softly, his tone warm yet laced with something I couldn't quite place.
I forced a smile and mumbled, "Morning." I wasn't ready to share the details of my nightmare yet—a nightmare that had left me with a prickling sense of dread—and I wasn't sure Atlas was the person to confide in. Instead, I simply nodded and hurried out the door.
Chapter 2: University in Chaos
The walk to university was unusually quiet, as if the day itself was holding its breath. When I arrived, the campus was in turmoil. I could see clusters of students gathered near the entrance of a building, their faces tense, whispering in anxious tones.
Police officers milled about, their presence a stark reminder that something terrible had occurred. My stomach churned as I realized that chaos had taken hold—an investigation was underway.
Atlas caught up with me outside the building. "Ama, are you okay?" he asked, genuine worry in his deep, steady voice.
I hesitated, then offered a vague explanation. "I—saw something… I mean, I saw Mark and Kayol with the police. And… Jade and Kayol had a fight a few days ago." I quickly added, "It's nothing, really." My heart pounded as I tried to convince myself that it was just the lingering echoes of my restless sleep.
Atlas frowned, clearly not satisfied, but he didn't press further. "You sure?" he asked softly.
I nodded, forcing calm into my voice. "Yeah, I'm fine."
But as I made my way through the chaos of the campus, a feeling of suffocation began to creep over me. I needed a moment to breathe, to escape the oppressive noise of confusion and fear. I slipped away from the crowd, heading toward a quieter, abandoned part of the university grounds.
Chapter 3: Shadows and Whispers
In the desolate stretch of campus, the familiar hum of activity gave way to an eerie silence. I felt as if invisible eyes were watching me from the gloom. Every step felt heavy, and the sound of my own heartbeat seemed to echo in the stillness.
Then I heard it—a soft, deliberate footstep behind me. I froze. Slowly, I turned around. There, barely illuminated by a weak streetlight, stood a man dressed entirely in black. His presence was unnerving; the way he moved, almost gliding, sent chills racing down my spine.
Before I could react, he started moving toward me. Panic surged through my veins. I spun on my heel and ran, my shoes pounding on the cracked pavement. I darted into a nearby storeroom, the door creaking ominously as I closed it behind me.
Inside, the cramped space offered little refuge. I pressed myself into a dark corner, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The silence was shattered by a whisper—"Got ya."
My heart thundered in my ears. I squeezed my eyes shut and backed away from the wall, desperate to hide. But the whisper seemed to come from everywhere at once. The sound of the killer's footsteps grew louder, more determined.
I could feel his presence outside the door, as if he was waiting for the perfect moment to pounce. I tried to steady myself, but fear rendered my limbs useless. Suddenly, I heard a muffled thud—like something heavy hitting the floor—and then, everything went black.
Chapter 4: A Fractured Reality
I came to in a blur of white light and antiseptic air. Slowly, my eyes opened to reveal the sterile interior of a medical room. My head throbbed with pain, and for a moment, I wasn't sure if I was awake or still trapped in a nightmare.
Atlas was sitting by my bedside, his expression etched with concern. "You blacked out, Ama," he said gently. "You're safe now. It was just stress and anxiety."
I stared at him, disbelief mingling with anger. "No, Atlas," I protested weakly. "I was chased. I saw the man in black—he was after me. I heard him whisper… 'Got ya.' I was running, hiding... and then I was hit." My voice trembled as I recalled every horrifying detail.
Atlas reached out, placing a steady hand on mine. "I saw you heading toward the abandoned area. I tried calling out for you to stop, but you didn't listen. You fainted out of nowhere, and I carried you here."
His words sent a shiver down my spine. The memories, the visions—they all felt too vivid. It was as if my mind was playing tricks on me, blurring the lines between reality and a nightmare I couldn't escape.
Slowly, I tried to piece together what had happened. Had it all been a vision? A product of my stressed, anxious mind? I could still feel a slight headache pulsing at the back of my head. As I gingerly ran a finger through my hair, I felt something odd—dried blood on my fingertips.
My pulse quickened as I realized that part of it might not be a dream after all. The terror of the abandoned area, the ominous footsteps, that chilling whisper—it all seemed so real.
I closed my eyes, trying to understand. Was I losing my grip on reality, or was there something sinister lurking in the shadows of my mind? The uncertainty was suffocating.