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 used to believe in fairytales. Not the ones with castles and dragons, but the kind where the right person could step into your life and change everything. Chris had been that person.

He was the golden boy- quiet, mysterious, the kind of handsome that made heads turns. There was something about him that set him apart from the loud, overconfident guys on the basketball team. He didn't seek attention but it found him anyway.

Madisyn on the other hand was the girl who belonged everywhere. She was the one cheering on the sidelines, the one organising team dinners, the one who made friends as easy?easily? as breathing. She ran track, played football, and somehow kept up with her classes without missing a beat.

She first noticed chris in the library. He sat alone, a book in hand while his sharp jawline cast in the glow of the afternoon sun filtering through the windows. She had seen him around before but they had never spoken.

She had been looking for books on sports psychology when she caught him staring at her. Their eyes met, and instead of looking away he held her gaze and spoke.

"You're Madisyn, right?". His voice had been softer than she expected, smooth like honey.

She smiled, "And you're Chris. Took you long enough to say something."

He blinked clearly caught off guard but then a small smirk played on his lips. "You noticed me?"

Madisyn laughed. "Everyone notices you."

For the first time she saw it- his guard slipping just a little.

They started spending time together after. It wasn't instant fireworks but something slow-burning, something special, something real. Chris was quiet but he listened. He wasn't like the other guys who bragged about their stats or flirted to impress. He has depth, layers she wanted to unravel.

He watched her at practice, showing up to her games even when she didn't expect him to. He didn't care about being in the spotlight but he made sure she knew he was there.

By junior year they were inseparable.

He was her safe place, the steady presence in the chaos of school, sports and life. And when he finally kissed her under the bleachers after one of her track meets, she was certain. This was it.

Now as she laid in bed staring at the ceiling, heart still pounding from the nightmare, she wondered how she had been so blind.

The boy who once made her feel safe now haunted her dreams. And maybe. Just maybe, she was starting to realise that the monster had been standing right beside her all along.

Chapter Two