Chapter 24: Dream Catcher

I walked alone down a long, narrow hallway with milky white walls and dim light.

In line with the color of the wall paint, the floor of this place is also the same color. The musty smell from this hallway is really annoying. It was like no one had set foot here in a long time.

I glanced back. There's no one here. The view from the front makes the hairs on my spine tingle. It felt as if this passageway could swallow me up at any moment. Damn, where am I actually now?

All I know is that I keep walking and walking down this endless aisle. After walking for a long time, I finally found a door in front of me. The door was white and luminous. The light was too blinding, making my eyes close for a moment before narrowing as I approached the door.

I don't know who told me, the encouragement of whoever it was, I opened the door in front of me. I entered a room. The room was spacious, but I saw nothing but a thick white mist around me. I decided to walk until my legs went numb.

It's cold here. It was like being covered in snow. I looked around for anyone I could find, but again no one could see the bridge of their nose. When my hopes were almost gone, I suddenly saw a girl figure standing in front of me with her back to me.

The girl's hair was jet black, exactly like mine. The only difference is that the hair looks dirty and tangled. Like it hasn't been washed in years. Looks very unkempt. I wonder why this person seems so dingy?

I approached the girl and lightly touched her shoulder. The girl turned around, and at that moment, my heart fell to the bottom of my stomach. I could hardly believe what I was witnessing.

I stood in front of the person who looked the same as me. Exactly the same. Besides the hair and clothes, I couldn't find any difference.

I was wearing a white shirt and shorts with black Converse Highs, while that person was wearing a black shirt that was again shabby like it wasn't ironed. She was wearing shorts almost the same as I, but she was … barefoot.

"Who are you?" I asked slowly.

She just kept quiet and looked at me with an incredibly pathetic look. Something was blocking her gaze that seemed so sad. It was as if that person was carrying out a very high burden. What's wrong with her?

We stared at each other for a split second then she gripped my knuckles tightly. The girl grabbed my hand. My eyes couldn't take my eyes off his long, dirty nails that were now intertwined with mine. I looked at her warily.

"Minka."

That was all that came out of her mouth. Her hand was still gripping my wrist tightly. Tears dripped from her … red eyes?

The girl's eyes were completely red.

I'm glued to her eyes. Staring at her was as if staring into a vast and deep red ocean. The blood-red eyes flashed sharply.

Suddenly the girl's body trembled, and her grip tightened. I winced in pain. It hurts from that grip and seeing her suffer so much. She looked so miserable, torn apart, and broken, and somehow it hit my chest.

"Help me."

She said it slowly. It doesn't sound like mine. The voice trembled weakly yet had a solid dark atmosphere. The voice made me shiver with fear.

My hands hurt when I tried to get them off of her. However, another hand of hers stopped me and squeezed my wrist even more. I have to go. I have to run. I'm scared.

In the next second, the girl was crying and screaming loudly. Her scream was deafening to my ears. The scream sent chills down my entire body and made my knees weak.

"Minka, wake up."

That face haunts me...

"Come on, wake up, Minka."

I threw myself up from sleep. Reflex holding my wrist, which still hurts from that person's grip. My eyes scanned wildly around the foggy room, but the room wasn't there. There is also no dim hallway. The girl doesn't exist.

But Keenan is here.

He sat next to me and looked at me worriedly. My breath was tight, and I had trouble breathing. I don't know what happened. My body shook violently.

"Take a deep breath, Minka."

I followed what Keenan said. I inhaled and exhaled a few times. Keenan gently rubbed my back, and slowly my panting breath returned to normal.

Keenan took me in his arms, and I buried my face in his chest. My face was wet with tears and sweat. I cried silently as the image of that terrifying figure flashed through my mind.

Keenan repeatedly moved his body, constantly trying to calm me down. I closed my eyes and felt the warm embrace of the figure who had spent much time with me.

I don't know why I couldn't resist the embrace at all. I don't understand why I can quickly melt by that person's touch. What I believe now, Keenan, will not hurt me.

Still sobbing a little, I tried to calm myself down.

"Shh. You're safe. Don't worry." Keenan said it many times. Whispered those words in my ear and hugged me tighter than before.

After feeling calmed down, Keenan pulled me away from his body. He held my face in his hands, making me look at him. I tried to focus my eyes which were blurry with tears. The man's fingers touched my lips with his thumb while his other hand wiped my tears.

Keenan put my left palm on his cheek and my right palm on his lips. He kissed my knuckles one at a time. His hazel was closed, and I struggled to get the words out. My body stiffens when I see him act sweet like that.

When he finished, he took my hand. "I'll get you a drink," he said, and he got up.

I stopped him by holding his hand. "No," I said hoarsely.

Keenan stopped and sat back down. He wiped the rest of my tears with his thumb. The man still looked worried as he looked at me.

"Don't go," I said quietly.

"Just getting a drink, Minka," he whispered.

I shook my head and wiped the tears with my arm. "Don't go anywhere. Stay with me."

For a moment, Keenan smiled and climbed back into my bed. He led me to lay down again. His arms wrap around my hips, pushing my head against his warm chest. I inhaled his soothing scent. Back felt like home.

"Dream catchers don't really help much."

I lifted my head. "Where did you get that thing from?"

"Online shopping has helped a lot lately."

I laughed softly. I couldn't stop myself. Just imagining a man who seems to be doing online shopping already looks strange, especially since the things he buys are typical girl knick-knacks.

"You ordered the dream catcher 'cause I often have bad dreams?"

"Sure. Can't I order it for home decorations?"

"And the Music Box?"

"Bought at the same place." Keenan stroked my hair and pushed the hair away from my face. "You want me to turn on the music box as well?"

I nodded.

Keenan's hand reached out and took his gift, which I placed on the table. He turned on the music box before hugging me tightly and rubbing my back. The stroke sent a million stings of warmth to me.