From the corner of my eye, I could see a silhouette moving, inching closer towards me. And with each step it takes , the air grows heavier with anticipation, fear and anxiousness. Just before it could reach my almost lifeless body which was lying on a bed, it stopped. It stopped moving. But he was close enough for me to see him clearly. It's eyeless sockets were much more terrifying than anything you could ever see. His featureless face made me blood run cold. I have never seen anything like this ever before. I wanted to run, to scream but I didn't seem to able to utter a single word. I lay there helplessly and had no way but to pray that all of this was not real while my tears soaked the pillow.
The silhouette even without its Facial features, I could make out that, he was enjoying my fear very much. It took pleasure in my tears and trembles. And then with a blink, it disappeared.
I searched the room frantically for its presence.
And with each passing second my heart felt like it would explode from my growing anxiousness.
And then…
It started again…
The sound of faraway footsteps rapidly approaching me...
No, no, no, no, please don't come near me, please .....
I chanted but to no avail, I could see his long inhuman arms trying to reach me, his long nails threatening to shred me...
No, no, please someone save me ...
Oleander wake up, wake up, Oleander!
I woke up to my best friend and roommate Claire's voice. She's been my best friend since high school. And after we got into college we found ourselves stuck with each other as classmates and roommate. What a great luck we have!
Did you have a nightmare again? Oleander you've been constantly getting nightmares since you got that package. Are you sure you're okay?
Hmm… I'm fine… but there's something strange…
What do you mean strange?
There was something strange about the nightmare I just had. Like normally I remember everything from the beginning to the end but this time I don't know what happened in the end.
What are you trying to say? It's all too confusing! Maybe you don't know the ending because I woke you up?
I know it's confusing. I, myself don't know what's happening but I think I saw something else too. Something which made my heart ache with longing and nostalgia. It was so painful to part with it. But… I don't remember what that was… Anyways you should get ready, you have morning classes today, don't you?
But–
No buts, I'll be fine. And either way I have afternoon classes, so I guess I'll rest a bit longer. And you said you really need the scholarship. That's why, you shouldn't be anymore late than you already are right now!
Okay, but I'll be back as soon as my classes finish, alright?
Alrightey, now go you are disturbing my sleep.
Fine, call me if you need anything, take care.
Bye, take care.
After Claire left the room, I felt strangely scared and assured in the same time. Maybe it was because I have not been sleeping well, that's why I am imagining strange things.
As Claire said, I've been having these nightmares since I received that strange package. It had no name written on it, just my name and address. And it didn't feel safe to open a strange and unknown package like this. That's why it's been kept in the back of my cupboard. And well the rest is as you guys know. But the thing is they aren't your normal bad dreams, they always feel as if everything that I'm seeing is a lost memory of mine. Something that I've already experienced once.
Well it doesn't matter anyway. The final exams are right around the corner, so I'll be drowning in studies for a while. And as much as I don't like studying, I welcome the much needed distraction.
Soon time flew by and my exams are now over. Though there was something that happened in the meantime. I always felt a reassuring presence around me. But, maybe I was just imagining things. Well, whatever. The thing is, we are finally here!