Chapter 6. sinister domain

There are sounds being heard around the pitch-black place. There is no one there but Becca, who is covered in blood, her eyes wide with a smile on her face. She starts laughing but stops when a hand emerges from the shadow and touches her shoulder. The hand has claws and black skin with a little bit of human flesh on it.

Three more soon come out of the shadow and start scratching and clawing at Becca, ripping her skin off while she just laughs and laughs nonstop. Suddenly, she opens her eyes and jumps up. Becca realizes it was just a nightmare and tries to calm herself down when a hand touches her shoulder, making her jump forward.

"Whoa, you okay!?" Jason says while touching her shoulder and looking at her scared face. Becca soon calms down and speaks, "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just a nightmare," she says while taking deep breaths and looking at Jason.

"Okay, if you say so," he says before looking back forward.

Suddenly, she hears the door open. It is Kyle and Sora with bags in their hands full of stuff. "Oh, you're finally awake," Sora says with a smile as she looks at Becca before walking away with Kyle.

Jason soon starts up the RV and begins driving again. "Laughing and new type gorgons," Jason says while driving.

"What?" Becca says with a confused face as she looks at Jason. Jason sighs and then speaks, "Your nightmare. That's what it was about, right?" he says while continuing to drive and focusing on the road.

"Yeah, how do you know?" Becca asks with a confused and surprised expression as she looks at Jason. Kyle walks over.

"Hey man, you need sleep. Let someone else drive," Kyle says with a worried look.

Jason looks at Kyle in the rearview mirror. "I'm fine, just need to get us to the next stop. We can't afford to waste time."

Kyle frowns but doesn't argue. He knows Jason can be stubborn, especially when it comes to driving. Sora and Kyle settle into their seats as the RV rumbles back to life, the road stretching out ahead.

Becca tries to shake off the remnants of her nightmare, focusing on the passing scenery outside the window. She sees nothing but darkened trees and the occasional glint of moonlight. Her mind races as she replays the dream, trying to understand its meaning.

Sora leans over from her seat and notices Becca's troubled expression. "Hey, you sure you're alright? You look like you've seen a ghost."

Becca forces a small smile. "I'm fine. Just… thinking about the dream. It felt so real."

Sora nods sympathetically. "Dreams can be intense sometimes. If you need to talk, we're here for you."

Jason glances back at Becca through the rearview mirror. "Yeah, and if you need to distract yourself, we've got some old movies and games in the back."

Becca appreciates the offer but shakes her head. "Thanks, but I think I need to process this on my own."

The RV continues down the road, the hum of the engine and the occasional bump on the uneven terrain the only sounds breaking the silence. Becca watches the night pass by, hoping that the further they travel, the more the nightmares will fade into the distance.

As the hours tick by, the RV's interior becomes quiet except for the soft hum of the engine and the occasional rustle from the back. Becca, still unsettled, pulls out her notebook and starts sketching. The rhythmic motion of the RV helps her focus, and she loses herself in her drawing, trying to make sense of the disturbing images from her nightmare.

Jason keeps his eyes on the road, though he glances occasionally at the rearview mirror, noting Becca's efforts to distract herself. He feels a pang of guilt for not getting more rest before taking over the wheel.

Sora, seated next to Kyle, is quietly chatting with him about their plans for the day ahead. They talk about potential sightseeing spots and activities, trying to lift the mood. Sora's laughter and Kyle's easygoing responses contrast sharply with the tension Becca is feeling.

At one point, Becca notices the sky outside starting to lighten, signaling the approach of dawn. The darkness of the night begins to recede, and with it, the heavy atmosphere of the nightmare starts to lift.

Kyle, noticing the change in light, gets up to make coffee for everyone. He moves quietly, mindful not to disturb Jason's concentration. "Anyone want coffee?" he asks, his voice breaking the quiet.

Becca looks up from her sketch and nods. "Yes, please. I could use something to help me wake up properly."

"Coming right up," Kyle says with a smile. He starts preparing the coffee, the smell soon filling the RV and adding a comforting, familiar aroma to the mix of other scents.

As the coffee brews, Becca finds herself feeling a bit more grounded. She takes a deep breath and turns to Jason. "Thanks for driving, Jason. I know it's not easy."

Jason gives a tired but genuine smile. "No problem. We're a team, right? We get through this together."

The RV continues its journey into the morning light, the early rays of the sun casting a warm glow over the landscape. Becca feels the tension in her shoulders start to ease as the day progresses. The nightmare, though still vivid in her mind, feels less immediate. She sips her coffee and focuses on the road ahead, hoping that the new day will be better.

TO BE CONTINUE