Lutetia_Charles

Madisyn thought she knew Chris. He was the quiet heartthrob at school, admired from afar, and when he noticed her, it felt like fate. Their connection was effortless-golden, even. She was athletic, outgoing, and full of life, while Chris was reserved, mysterious, and intoxicating in a way she couldn't resist. From stolen glances in the hallway to late-night conversations that felt like secrets, their love story unfolded like something out of a dream. But dreams can turn into nightmares.

One night, Madisyn wakes up gasping for air, her heart pounding from the vivid nightmare that left her shaken to her core. In it, Chris tried to kill her. It felt so real-the coldness in his eyes, the way he moved with terrifying precision. But it was just a dream... right?

As she navigates the school day, Madisyn struggles to shake off the unease clinging to her skin. The dream has left her questioning everything-her relationship, her instincts, even her own mind. Chris is still the same golden boy everyone adores, still looking at her like she's his world. But something is different. Or maybe, something has always been off, and she's only just now seeing it.

Avoiding him should be easy, but Chris isn't one to let go without a fight. He seeks her out at lunch, pressing her with soft words and piercing stares. "Where have you been?" he asks. A simple question, but one that sends shivers down her spine.

She lies. "Cheer practice."

Chris smiles, but his eyes linger too long, as if he knows there's more to the story. As if he knows she's running.

Madisyn isn't sure if she's running from him or from the truth that's clawing its way to the surface. But one thing is certain-what once felt like love is starting to feel like something far more dangerous.

And the nightmare?

It might not have been a nightmare at all.

You Can Run...

Madisyn's breath came in sharp, ragged gasps as she shot upright in bed. Her chest heaved, her skin damp with sweat. The darkness of her bedroom stretched around her, but the nightmare still clung to her like smoke, thick and suffocating.

His hands had been around her throat, his deep-set eyes cold and unrecognizable. She could still feel the phantom pressure, the way his fingers had dug into her skin, his voice, once soft and loving—twisted into something cruel.

"You really thought I'd let you go?"

She pressed a hand to her racing heart, forcing slow breaths. It had only been a dream. A horrible, twisted nightmare. Yet, it felt so real. Too real.

The moonlight filtering through her blinds cast eerie shadows across the room. For a moment, she swore she saw movement in the corner. Her pulse spiked, and she threw off the blankets, scrambling to switch on the bedside lamp.

Warm light bathed the room, revealing nothing but her desk, chair, and the pile of laundry she'd promised herself she'd fold two days ago. No Chris. No threat.

Madisyn exhaled shakily and ran a hand through her thick curls, fingers tangling in the knots. Her skin still prickled with unease. She had to calm down.

Sliding out of bed, she padded to the small bathroom attached to her room. The cool tile against her bare feet grounded her, but the face staring back at her in the mirror looked foreign. Dark circles framed her wide eyes, her golden-brown skin paler than usual.

"It was just a dream," she whispered, gripping the edge of the sink.

Lately, Chris had been different. More possessive. More unpredictable. The way he watched her sometimes sent chills down her spine, like he was calculating something. Like he was waiting.

She splashed cold water on her face, inhaling sharply at the chill. She needed to shake this feeling off. Needed to remind herself that nightmares were just nightmares.

Yet, deep down, a part of her wasn't convinced.

And she feared she was running out of time to figure out what.

Chapter One