Lucid

My eyes shot open, sweat dripping down my forehead. "Audra!" My dad's voice reached me, muffled at first, then clearer. "Audra!" A firm shake jolted me fully awake. My breath came in shallow gasps as I tried to ground myself. My hand instinctively went to my forehead, throbbing with the remnants of the dream. Yet, it hadn't felt like a dream. It felt real. Too real. My fingers brushed against my cheek, the phantom sensation of the wolf's tongue still lingering. "Audra, are you okay?" My dad's voice was laced with concern. "You were screaming… talking in your sleep." I blinked rapidly, forcing myself back to reality. "I'm okay. Just a nightmare," I murmured, though hesitation clung to my words. His worried gaze didn't waver. "Is this about Mom?" he asked softly, kneeling beside me, searching my eyes for answers. I hesitated. I can't tell him about the wolf. About how I feel haunted by it, even in my sleep. Stalker wasn't even the right word for it—this was something more. Something deeper. Dad sighed, squeezing my hand gently. "Audra, if you need to talk to someone, we can find a therapist. I know this is a lot—new house, new school, new everything. And with your mom in the hospital… it's understandable." I swallowed, nodding. I knew he was trying to help, and he wasn't wrong—Nightmares were not normal for me, "Yeah, Dad. It's been a big adjustment, but I'll be okay." I said faking my smile, trying to convince him I was ok. His expression remained uncertain, but he let out a small sigh of relief. "Alright. Just remember, I'm here for you." Then, with a forced cheerfulness, he stood. "Now, come on, help us with the furniture. We found some great stuff." I exhaled a breath I didn't realize I was holding and followed him outside. We spent the next hour hauling in furniture, and the rest of the day distributing everything to its place. Finally, my room no longer felt empty—it was a home. My dad and Kai helped assemble my bed frame, a stunning hand-carved canopy bed with deep wood tones. The sheer forest-green drapes cascaded down, complementing the intricate details of the headboard and footboard. Matching side tables and a handcrafted storage ottoman completed the set. For the first time since moving here, my room felt whole. Dinner was quiet, the house settling into its newfound warmth with the addition of furniture. After eating, I cleaned up the kitchen, then retreated upstairs. Perched by my window, I gazed at the endless stretch of stars. With a sigh, I picked up my book and continued where I had left off. Then, I heard it. The low rumble of distant thunder. Excitement surged through me, momentarily washing away the weight of my thoughts. Forgetting everything else, I shot up from my chair, sprinting through the house toward the back door. I made it just in time. The first droplet kissed the rooftop, and then the rain came, falling harder with each passing second. Smiling, I settled onto the swing, rocking gently as the storm unfolded around me. The rhythmic patter of raindrops against the earth always left me feeling alive. Rejuvenated. I opened my book again, losing myself in the story while the storm wrapped around me like a comforting embrace. By the time the rain ceased, I felt relaxed, my mind finally at ease. I stepped inside, changed into my pajamas, and climbed into bed, drifting into sleep almost immediately. But it didn't last. A low, guttural growl yanked me from slumber. My stomach twisted as I crept toward the window. Dread pooled in my veins. Golden Yellow eyes stared back at me. I didn't hesitate. I slipped outside, stepping into the cool night air. The wolf didn't move—he only watched me. Then, in one swift motion, he turned and ran., and I followed. I wasn't sure why. There was no logic in it, but my body moved on instinct, chasing him down the darkened path through the trees. The air felt electric, charged with something unseen. We reached the waterfall. The wolf leaped into the crystal waters, turning back toward me, watching—waiting—expecting. I stepped forward, dipping my toes into the icy water but hesitating to go deeper. My heart pounded as I held his gaze. Then, he moved. Faster than I could react, he sprinted past me growling and snarling snapping his razor-sharp teeth. But before I could process what was happening, something slammed into me, forcing me down. Cold water rushed around me as my face hit the surface, my body pinned beneath an unseen force. Panic erupted in my chest—I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. And then the pressure was gone. I surfaced with a desperate gasp, coughing as I frantically looked around. The brown wolf had knocked a gray wolf off of me. The two beasts clashed, snapping and clawing, their snarls tearing through the night. Dark red blood pooled into the water around me. My blood. A sharp, searing pain bloomed in my skull. I had hit a rock, the sharp stone jutted out of the lake. My vision blurred. My hands trembled as I reached up, feeling the warm, sticky wetness of my own blood trickling down my face. I tried to stand—tried to run—but the world tilted as I scrambled around. My legs gave out beneath me as black spots danced across my vision. No, no, no... Darkness swallowed me whole. I shot up in bed with a scream, drenched in sweat. My breaths came in ragged gasps as I clutched my pounding head. Seconds later, "AUDRA!" My dad cried worriedly. My bedroom door flew open, and my dad and Kai rushed inside. "Are you hurt?" Dad demanded, his eyes scanning me. "Audra, what's going on? You never used to have nightmares," Kai added, his concern evident, as he to, scanned my features. I blinked, bringing my hand up to my head—no blood, no wound. Just a dream. A dream so vivid, it felt like I had lived it. Exhaling sharply, I forced myself to speak. "I'm fine. I just… I think I need to see Mom. Maybe it'll help ease my mind." Dad and Kai exchanged a glance, their worry deepening. Dad nodded slowly. "Alright. We'll go see her later today. Just… try to rest easy, okay? Everything's going to be alright." He said softly, "That sounds good," I lied, trying to reassure them. "Until morning, then." They hesitated before leaving, and once the door shut, I let out a long, shaking breath. What is happening to me? Why is the wolf everywhere haunting me, pulling me back? I pushed myself out of bed and marched toward the window, certain I'd find him waiting. But when I looked out, the space beneath my window was empty. For the first time, I wasn't relieved. Maybe I was losing my mind. I rubbed my temples, a new thought creeping in. Maybe I do need a therapist. Not for Mom, but for what happened yesterday. I was driving myself insane keeping it bottled up. With a sigh, I collapsed back onto my pillow, forcing my eyes shut. Sleep didn't come easily, but eventually, exhaustion won. Even then, I knew it wouldn't be dreamless.