Chapter 3 The Dream

June's POV

My bare feet made no sounds on the bare floor. I saw myself going deeper and deeper into the woods. Something was there, calling out to me.

I kept moving. My heart was racing, and my palms were sweaty. I knew there was danger ahead of me, but I was drawn to it in some way.

I kept moving deeper and deeper into the woods, and with each step, I knew I was getting closer to the source.

My feet suddenly stopped in the middle of the woods, and my body obeyed too. I looked around, I was all alone in this dark and creepy place.

Where the hell was I? What am I doing here? How did I get here? These questions raced through my mind, but they were all left unanswered.

As I stood there out in the cold woods, and under the moonlight confused, I perceived a scent that just seemed so familiar to me.

Suddenly, a rustling sound startled me. It came from the bush, and my eyes darted towards the direction.

And then, I saw it. Golden eyes, black fur, with sharp claws. It turned to face me, and called out my name.

"June".

Of course, I ran. How could a monster call out my name? I ran and ran, and I could still hear it calling out to me.

"June".

"June!

"June!!"

"Wake up June!"

My heart raced, my bed was damp with sweat. I looked over to who had called me and apparently, it was my mom.

What sort of dream was that? It seemed so real.

"I had to use the spare key because you were sleeping, June. What kind of deep sleep was that?" My mom asked. Her facial expression gave it away. She was pissed.

"I... I'm sorry mom". I said, still breathing heavily. It was as if I was running in real life. The dream just felt so real.

"Lelia is awake and hungry. You're a good babysitter, June". My mom said sarcastically, and left my room, almost slamming the door behind her.

"I'm sorry mom". I said, but she had already left.

It was dark already. I slept for a long while. I stood up from my bed, and changed the sweaty bed sheets into something more neat. Then, I headed into the bathroom for a quick cold shower.

"Come for dinner, June!"

"Coming mom!" I said, leaving my room, and going into the kitchen.

"What did you do today?" My mom asked, while serving the dinner on our plates.

That was a very good question to ask though. I mean, what did I do today besides meeting Kira? I didn't even really babysit Lelia. So, what did I do today?

"You haven't answered me, June".

"I'm sorry, mom. I babysitted Lelia, and washed the dishes".

"Well, that's good. It's better than just lazying around all day, doing nothing".

I was so not ready for this conversation right now. And so, I changed the topic.

"How was job hunting, mom? Found anything yet?" I asked, and my mom's demeanor changed. She began fumbling with her food.

"I'm sorry mom. I shouldn't have asked". I said, regretting I asked.

"I made a new friend today too, mom". I said, and that seemed to brighten her face up a little.

"You did? I thought you said you only washed the dishes and babysitted Lelia".

"I did mom. But I also met Kira. She lives around here too".

"Wow, that's good. I'm glad you're gradually adjusting".

"Yeah. I am, mom. Thank you". I said, and my mom flashed me a smile.

We ate our dinner happily, which was different from the way we ate it last night. We talked and laughed together. Even Lelia laughed too. I couldn't help but feel like I was bonding with my mom.

After dinner, mom made me do the dishes for the night. And, surprisingly, I didn't complain.

When I was done with the dishes, I looked around, and saw mom and Lelia snuggled up together. They were watching a movie and eventually fell asleep.

I covered them with a blanket, turned off the Tv and light, and headed to my bedroom for the night.

*********

Why was I here again? I was back here in these woods, alone in the cold, and barefooted.

This time, the wind blew freely, and I had to fold my arms to shield myself from the cold.

I looked up to the moonlit sky, and it seemed to calm me. l took a step, another step, and another. Each step was faltered with trepidation.

I kept walking. I didn't know where I was going, but I perceived the scent again. That scent - that familiar scent.

And then, my eyes saw it again. It's black fur, golden eyes, and sharp claws. This time, I wasn't afraid. I stood there and watched it.

It watched me too. Then, there was silence - total silence. The only noises heard were the owls howling, and the rustles of the grass from the wind.

Why am I having the same dream again? Or, is it real this time? I tried to pinch myself, but I couldn't move.

It moved close to me, and stared. I tried to run, but my feet didn't want to cooperate with me. It was like it had its own sense of reasoning.

And then, it called my name again, and that's when my feet finally decided to obey me. I ran, and ran, not sure about where I was going.

"June!"

"June!!"

My feet continued to cooperate with me.

I felt its sharp breath from a distance, and it still called my name.

"June!"

I kept running, until my feet couldn't bear it anymore. I fell to the ground.

No! Not now! My eyes scanned around the woods, searching for it, but it was nowhere in sight.

I got up and smoothed down the black dress I put on. I never had a dress like that before, and I didn't know how I got it.

With my eyes still scanning around, I heard a loud roar from behind me.

Alas! I woke up, panting. My bed was covered in sweat again. What was happening to me?