Chapter 10

MARCUS'S POV

It seemed like an endless tunnel full of darkness. I kept following it each step I took sent a chill down my spine it was oddly cold and silent.

The only sound that I could hear was my rapid breathing.

Where the heck was I?

My eyes lazily scanned the room but I couldn't make out a single thing in the darkness.

Then I heard a voice singing.

"Once you wish upon a star…make a silent wish in your heart."

"Is someone there?!" I yelled but my voice only echoed in the darkness and the song stopped.

The darkness inside me was haunting me.

Something rushed past me and I fell to the ground staring at the darkness. It slowly began to disappear and I found myself in a forest.

It sinked and reeked of very foul smells.

I covered myself quickly when I felt my stomach churning.

Oh no I was about to throw up.

I walked past the stinky swamp and found a clearing. The light was bright and still and I could hear birds chirping.

A woman was sitting on the bench singing the same song again. It sounded familiar but I couldn't remember where I had heard it.

I swallowed hard when I saw a knife in her ribcage and the air left my lungs.

The lullaby was from my mother.

I stood there just staring at her with wide eyes. She seemed relaxed but I couldn't see her face.

"Mom is that you?" I whispered quietly.

But there was only silence.

I was about to touch her shoulder but a girl's scream filled the air and I withdrew my hand.

I stared at the entrance.

When I glanced at the bench mom was gone and I only saw a trail of blood.

The screams got louder and louder and I covered my ears slumping to the ground.

The forest was melting.

My vision began to get blurry.

Someone was watching me cautiously.

I could only make out the red hair and green she tried to reach out to me.

"Marcus take my hand."

"Chelsea…" I rasped before I could grasp her hand and I passed out immediately.

My eyes jerked open and I woke up breathing hard looking around my room. It was still pitch black.

It was just a nightmare. A horrible one as well I couldn't even understand it.

I grabbed my phone from the table and checked the time it was only 3.am in the morning.

I turned on the lamp and groaned in response.

I couldn't fall asleep not after what I had just seen. I don't think I'll ever watch another horror movie ever again.

I got out of bed and went downstairs to the kitchen. I made myself a warm glass of milk and drank it quietly.

I was scared. Scared that my darkness would try to take Chelsea as well.

What was she even doing in my nightmare?

The darkness inside me was getting out of control and I couldn't hold it back anymore.

It was going to destroy anything in its path and I couldn't let that happen especially to the people close to me.

My demons were seeking revenge and they wouldn't rest until they got what they wanted.

This nightmare was definitely a warning that I should stay away from Chelsea. I could still picture her fear stricken face.

She wanted to help me but I know that no one would ever get through to me the darkness was a part of me I just had to accept it's torture and suffering.

It was like I was stuck in a time loop. Repeating the same chapter of my life over and over again.

Maybe mom was trying to tell me a message through Chelsea. It was hard to understand connecting the dots together would be a nightmare.

I rinsed my glass and went back to bed.

I kept staring at the ceiling and plugged in my earphones. Maybe listening to some music will clear my throats and I'll actually get some sleep.

Music was the only thing that kept me calm and relaxed. I closed my eyes listening to my favourite song lyrics and took a deep breath.

I can't breathe (Chopsquad), I can't breathe, 999

Waiting for the exhale

I toss my pain with my wishes in a wishing well

I can't breathe, I'm waiting for the exhale

Toss my pain with my wishes in a wishing well

Still no luck, but oh, well

I still try even though I know I'm gon' fail

Stress on my shoulders like a anvil

Perky got me itching like a anthill

Drugs killing me softly, Lauryn Hill

Sometimes I don't know how to feel

Ring-ring, phone call from depression

You used my past and my memories as a weapon

On the other line, I talk to addiction, huh

Speaking of the devil, all the drugs, I miss them

This can't be real, is it fiction?

Somethin' feels broke, need to fix it

I cry out for help, do they listen?

I'ma be alone until it's finished

This is the part where I tell you I'm fine, but I'm lyin'

I just don't want you to worry

This is the part where I take all my feelings and hide 'em

'Cause I don't want nobody to hurt me

I can't breathe, I'm waiting for the exhale

Toss my pain with my wishes in a wishing well

Still no luck, but oh, well

I still try even though I know I'm gon' fail

It's stress on my shoulders like a anvil

Perky got me itching like a anthill

Drugs killing me softly, Lauryn Hill

Sometimes I don't know how to feel

Sometimes I don't know how to feel

Let's be for real

If it wasn't for the pills, I wouldn't be here

But if I keep taking these pills, I won't be here, yeah

I just told y'all my secret, yeah

It's tearing me to pieces

I really think I need them

I stopped taking the drugs and now the drugs take me

This is the part where I tell you I'm fine, but I'm lyin'

I just don't want you to worry

This is the part where I take all my feelings and hide 'em

'Cause I don't want nobody to hurt me

I can't breathe, I'm waiting for the exhale

Toss my pain with my wishes in a wishing well

Still no luck, but oh, well

I still try even though I know I'm gon' fail

It's stress on my shoulders like a anvil

Perky got me itching like a anthill

Drugs killing me softly, Lauryn Hill

Sometimes I don't know how to feel

"I can't breathe."

A few hours later I woke up in a better mood and got ready for school. I made myself a bowl of cereal and some juice.

Around 7.am I got my bag and went to school forgetting about the nightmare.

Once I arrived at school I settled in the back seat as usual and got a book out of my bag called Wuthering heights.

It was one of my favorites.

I was so engulfed in my book that I didn't notice the shadow on my book. When I looked up I was surprised to find Chelsea standing in front of me.

I smirked.

"What are you doing here?" I asked curiously.

She shrugged and sat on the empty chair beside me.

"I'm here to learn just like you" she said softly with a hint of sarcasm.

"Aren't you like ten?"

She smiled.

"Yes I am but my previous school made me skip a few grades because I was too smart so we'll be in the same class."

She was sassy and a nerd as well and that was a very dangerous combination.

I rolled my eyes.

"Aren't you a ray of sunshine" I muttered coolly.

She shrugged.

A few minutes later the teacher walked in and we had to write a surprise test. Only Chelsea seemed happy about it.

At the end of the day only two people got high marks.

Mr. Smith beamed with a smile and adjusted his reading glasses.

"I'm very proud of two particular students who got very high marks."

"Chelsea Evans please come forward."

She got up and went in front of the class.

"Well done Ms. Evans you got 99%."

Chelsea smiled and collected her paper.

Mr. Smith narrowed his eyes at me.

He walked towards me at my desk. I had a bad feeling about this.

"Excellent work Mr. Devon you got 100%."

Huh?

Well that was certainly unexpected, one in the gaped at me in shock and I took my results.

"Thank you sir."