Nightmare

The strong, metallic stench of blood made her eyes flutter open. Thin drops of rain fell from the sky, dripping on her cold, delicate skin. Corinne weakly got herself up, her eyes finally adjusting to the dark.

Heart hammering inside her chest, an icy dread slowly crawled on her skin as she took in her surroundings.

She could see nothing but red. There was blood everywhere she looked. From the abandoned buildings that loomed above her to the empty streets, red covered everything.

A blinding light and a loud crack from the skies made Corinne shiver. Her insides churned when she heard faint footsteps approaching from behind. Unable to think clearly, she gathered her remaining strength and pushed herself to get on her feet.

As another earth-shattering thunder shook the ground, Corinne risked looking back, catching a glimpse of the monster that had red eyes—the same monster that had haunted her dreams every night.

Sheer terror made her lose focus, causing her to stagger and eventually fall on the pavement, leaving her vulnerable and helpless. She felt a suffocating weight settle over her chest, every nerve tingling with an icy dread. The world seemed to blur around her, all except for the piercing glare of the creature's red, malevolent eyes, fixated on her like a predator eyeing its prey.

“Corinne!”

Desperately gasping for air, Corinne was jerked awake. She blinked, finding Eric’s face hovering above hers. His brows were furrowed, and an indescribable expression made her feel uneasy.

Still reeling from the horrible nightmare, she sat up and threw her arms around his neck, pulling him in a fierce embrace, and shut her eyes, willing the remnants of the dream to fade.

Eric wrapped Corinne protectively in his arms, pulling her closer. He could feel her heart beating erratically inside her chest, making him feel more terrible for what he had done.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered, wishing he could erase her memories.

Eric could only blame himself for everything that transpired tonight. He had no intention of putting Corinne in any danger. Yet, because of him, she had an unfortunate experience with the prince.

Judging by her current state, he was certain that something must have happened. However, in order for him to know what happened while she was with the prince, he would need Corinne’s confession. But the look on her face told him it wasn’t the right time to ask.

‘There might never be a good chance to do so, either.’

Eric mentally sighed; he was just relieved that Corinne made it back safe and unscathed. If she had been harmed in any way, Eric would never forgive himself. Unbeknownst to him, his hands had curled into fists, his frustration finding its release.

‘He should never show himself to her again, or I will make sure he could never walk the earth ever again.’

After the effects of the dream ebbed away, Corinne finally released Eric from her hold, shaking her head in response to his apology.

“This horrible nightmare has nothing to do with you,” she murmured, catching a glimpse of the time on their wall clock. It was well past midnight.

Shifting her focus back toward Eric, Corinne’s expression suddenly darkened as she narrowed her gaze at Eric, remembering that she was supposed to be mad at him. At the back of her mind, she felt that there was something else she should have recalled. But when she tried to figure it out, she came up with a blank.

Eric snapped his fingers, pulling Corinne out of her reverie. She glared at him, masking her rising panic as she realized there were parts of her memories of tonight's events that were out of reach. She couldn’t think of an explanation, and neither could she remember how she even made it home.

Catching Eric’s raised brow, Corinne scoffed.

“I haven’t forgotten that I’m still mad at you, and it will take more than just an apology to appease me.”

Eric couldn’t help but chuckle in response. He was both relieved and worried that his friend appeared to have no memories of her encounter with the prince.

He was worried, thinking of all things inevitable. The only reason the prince will have to wipe her memories clean is because of feeding. It angered Eric. But he had no proof that it was the case.

He was relieved that, at least, Corinne will have no added nightmares on her list. She already went through so much; tragically meeting the prince and taking his interest was the last thing she needed.

‘Anyone who gets close to him either ends up dead or turned.’

Eric wanted neither for Corinne, and he was sure she wouldn’t want to become one of those two things.

“I know,” Eric scratched the back of his head. “I’m at fault.”

Corinne clicked her tongue, completely aware of the shift in his mood. It puzzled her in the same way as her missing memories. But she decided it was best to keep that to herself. Involving Eric seemed like a terrible idea.

“I don’t think I even got paid.” Corinne pursed her lips, changing the subject, which immediately caught Eric’s attention.

“Oh,” Eric clicked his tongue, keeping his eyes fixated on Corinne. “I will settle that with the event organizer first thing later.”

With a heavy yawn, Eric got to his feet.

“Well,” he said, glancing at the clock on the wall. “It's probably best if we get some much-needed rest.”

He paused, belatedly realizing how inconsiderate he had been.

“But I can stay up...”

Corinne shook her head, cutting him off.

“It’s alright. I feel a lot better,” Corinne forced a smile, hoping he wouldn’t see through the facade.

Even though it was a blatant lie, Corinne couldn’t get herself to talk about something she had no recollection of.

‘How am I supposed to explain what I was feeling when I don’t even understand it myself?’

“Are you sure?”

“Go to sleep,” Corinne answered, finding her balance when she got up and trotted toward her bedroom. “I’m fine.”

Corinne knew she didn’t convince Eric, even just one bit. She was too far from being fine. But she preferred to keep quiet rather than have her friend worry about her well-being.

“Alright,” Eric answered, sighing in defeat. “But if you need anything, I’m just a door away.”

Corinne reached her bedroom door. She briefly turned to Eric and gave him a salute before opening the door and rapidly shutting it.

When she was by herself, Corinne was unable to reign in her emotions.

‘What the hell happened?’ she thought, pacing her room back and forth nervously. She couldn’t shake off the feeling that she needed to remember.

Biting her lower lip, Corinne stopped walking in circles and sat on her bed. She eventually threw herself in it, staring at the plain ceiling.

“But what am I supposed to remember?” she murmured. “Or better yet, who?”