198: THE NIGHTMARE


    LUKE’S POV


    In the heart of this ancient, dense forest, I stood, the moonlight struggling to break through the thick


    canopy above, casting eerie shadows that danced upon the forest floor. My breath misted in the chill


    night air as I called out my wife’s name, the sound lost in the rustling of leaves and the distant hoot of


    an owl.


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    Hope and fear mingled within me as I pushed through the undergrowth, each step crunching on the


    carpet of fallen leaves. The darkness seemed to envelop me, the silence of the forest weighing heavy


    on my chest. I couldn’t halt my steps now, not when I felt so close to finding her.


    Then, there she appeared. A figure at the edge of a small clearing was bathed in a pale, ethereal light


    that seemed to radiate from within her. It was her, unmistakably so, with her long, flowing hair and the


    soft curve of her smile. Relief flooded through me as I quickened my pace, arms outstretched to


    embrace her.


    But as I drew nearer, a shadow passed over her face, her features morphing into something dark and


    malevolent. I hesitated, my steps faltering as unease crept over me. This was not right; this was not my


    wife.


    Before I could react, darkness surged forth from the shadows, engulfing her in a writhing mass of ck


    tendrils that coiled around her like serpents. My heart leaped into my throat as I watched in horror,


    unable to move as she was dragged into the depths of the forest, her voice echoing hauntingly in the


    night.


    “No, no, no!” My voice cracked with desperation as I stumbled forward, reaching out a hand toward the


    fading silhouette of my wife. But it was futile; she was already lost in the darkness, swallowed up by


    forces beyond my understanding.


    Tears welled in my eyes as I fell to my knees, the weight of grief crushing me like a vise. I hade so


    far and searched for so long, only to have her tear away from me once again. The forest seemed to


    close in around me, the trees bending and twisting like using fingers, and the night was alive with


    whispers that chilled me to the bone.


    “Ariel!” I bawled, waking up from my sleep. I had to realize it was all a dream. Breathing heavily, I


    nced at the clock. The time was just 2:00 a.m.


    And Iy here in this bed, my mind still reeling from the vivid nightmare I had just experienced. I


    couldn’t shake off the feeling of fear and unease. She reached out to touch Ariel, but the darkness


    engulfed her. It was a terrifying sight that left me feeling helpless and disturbed. Even though I knew it


    was just a dream, the intensity of the emotions it evoked had me feelingpletely fucked up. It was


    as if my subconscious was trying to warn me of something, but I couldn’t decipher what it meant. The


    image of Ariel being swallowed by the darkness was haunting me, and I couldn’t shake off the feeling


    of dread that lingered within me right here, right now.


    I couldn’t shake Ariel’s thoughts from my mind. She seemed to dominate every waking moment of


    194 THE NIGHTMARE


    mine. And as it turns out, oven my subconscious couldn’t escape her grasp. I found myself dreaming


    about her, but it wasn’t the sweet dream I had hoped for. Instead, it was a nightmare, one that felt all


    too real. It was like my fears and anxieties were manifesting themselves in my dreams, and I couldn’t


    wake up from them. It was a crazy experience, making me realize just how much Ariel had affected me.


    Of course, I had already realized that in the previous days,


    I stayed awake for minutes, which felt like hours. But I finally went to sleep, I just hoped that I wouldn’t


    have another nightmare. Ariel was just the person I wanted to see now,


    And hourster, I finally woke up. I sat in bed, looking everywhere, I nced at my rm clock; it


    wasn’t even going mad. And yes, I woke up really early today. I went to wash my face, and looking at


    myself in the mirror, I saw Ariel in it as well. I immediately cleaned my eyes with water, shaking my


    head, and when I opened them, she wasn’t in the mirror, Hallucinations wow, this is quite fucked


    1. up.


    A little whileter, when the day had gotten a little brighter, my phone began to ring; Tiffany was the one


    calling. I answered it.


    “Hello, Luke, you have toe to the hospital right now,” the caller said. But it wasn’t Tiffany speaking;


    it sounded like her mother.


    “Why? What’s wrong?” I asked, curious.


    “It’s Tiffany. She fell down the stairs, and now she’s bleeding seriously.”


    “What? Are you serious?”


    “Yes, I am. We’re going to need your support around here. Come to the hospital as soon as possible.


    I’ll text you the address.”


    The call ended after that. About a minuteter, I received a text message with the hospital address.


    The thought of Tiffany’s bleeding was extremely concerning and rming. It was clear that she was in


    need of immediate medical attention. I knew that I needed to make my way to the hospital as quickly as


    possible to ensure that she received the necessary care. Time was of the essence, and I couldn’t afford


    to waste any precious moments. I would really need to rush to get to the hospital because, right now,


    my mind is filled with worry and concern for Tiffany’s well–being. If it were in my hands, I would have to


    do everything in my power to get her the help she needed, and I wouldn’t stop until I knew she was in


    good hands.


    I quickly got dressed and rushed out of my house, not even bothering to grab breakfast. My mind was


    racing with thoughts and scenarios of what could have happened to Tiffany. I couldn’t bear the thought


    of her being hurt or in pain, although I wasn’t in love with her. She was a friend.


    I made my way to the hospital, driving as fast as I could without breaking any traffic rules. I couldn’t


    afford to get pulled over now. Finally, I arrived at the hospital and quickly made my way to the


    emergency room.


    When I entered, I saw Tiffany’s parents pacing back and forth, their faces etched with worry and fear.


    They looked up at me with relief in their eyes, grateful that I had arrived.


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    “Luke, thank goodness you’re here.” Veronica walked to me.


    “What happened?” I asked.


    “She slipped and fell down the stairs. We found her lying unconscious at the bottom of the stairs. The


    doctors are doing everything they can, but she’s lost a lot of blood,” Tiffany’s father, Manuel, exined.


    “Where is she now?” I queried.


    “They took her to the emergency room. Come, we’ll take you to her,” Veronica said, leading me down


    the hallways.


    When we got to the room, I saw her unconscious, so I moved further and took her hand in mine. Her


    hand was cold and limp, and I could see the bandages on her head and arm. Also, a pale face right


    there.


    “Tiffany,” I whispered, still cleaving to her hand, hoping for her to get better soon.


    I left the room, and hours passed by as we waited for any news from the doctors. And finally, after what


    seemed like an eternity, the doctor came out to speak to us.


    “Ms. Tiffany is stable now. We managed to stop the bleeding, and she regained consciousness.


    However, we have some terrible news.”


    “Terrible news? What is that, doctor?” Veronica asked.