nightmare

Pov Elijah

As the day went on, I couldn't shake off the feeling that someone had helped me with my homework. I tried to focus on my classes, but my mind kept wandering back to the mysterious completed math problems.

At lunchtime, I sat with my friends in the cafeteria, discussing our plans for the upcoming weekend.

"I'm telling you, it was a ghost," Alex joked, making everyone laugh.

I forced a smile, but I couldn't help feeling that there was some truth to Alex's words. It sounded crazy, but what if someone - or something - really had helped me with my homework?

I tried to explain to him that I wasn't the one doing my homework

"I'm serious, Alex, I didn't do that math homework," I said, trying to sound convincing. "I was stuck on those problems and I remember putting the book away unfinished."

Alex raised an eyebrow, a skeptical look on his face. "Dude, are you saying someone broke into your house and did your homework for you?" he asked, chuckling.

I look confused. "I don't know! But somebody did!"

Alex chuckled "dude you are an only child, and your parents care about your grade so much that they won't help your homework!"

I shook my head, feeling frustrated. "I know, I know. That's what's so weird. My parents would never do it, and I'm definitely not smart enough to have figured it out on my own," I said, running a hand through my hair.

Alex grinned. "Maybe you're just a secret math genius and you don't remember doing it." He laughed, but I just rolled my eyes. I knew I wasn't a secret genius. Something strange was going on, and I was determined to figure out what.

I shook Alex's body. "I'm not secret genius, and it might be a ghost or something!" I yelled

Alex's eyes widened in surprise, and he stumbled backward, almost falling out of his chair. "Whoa, dude, calm down!" he exclaimed, holding up his hands in a defensive gesture.

The other kids in the cafeteria started to stare, and I realized I had overreacted. I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself. "Sorry, man. I just really don't know what's going on," I said, my voice shaking slightly.

Alex's expression softened, and he put a hand on my shoulder. "It's okay, Elijah. We'll figure it out. But maybe let's rule out the ghost theory, huh?"

I take a deep breath. "To be fair, I do have a plush wolf that I got mysterious given to me by an unknown person that left it at my front door!"

Alex's eyes lit up with intrigue. "Wait, what? A mysterious plush wolf? That's creepy, dude!" He leaned in, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Tell me more about this plush wolf. What's it look like? And when did you get it?"

I sighed. "It was in a gift box, and inside were 2 wolf plush 1 that the tag said Asher and 1 that look so much like my tame wolf lupus that died a few months ago! And the next morning, we found his grave look like it had dug up by someone after that day!"

Alex's expression turned serious, and he glanced around the cafeteria nervously. "Dude, that's really weird. And kind of creepy," he whispered. "You think someone's trying to send you a message or something?"

He paused, collecting his thoughts before speaking again. "And what about the plush wolf that looks like Lupus? Do you think it's just a coincidence, or...?" Alex trailed off, leaving the question hanging in the air.

I question "or what?!"

Alex hesitated, his eyes darting around the cafeteria again before leaning in closer to me. "Or maybe...it's not just a plush wolf," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Maybe it's something more. Something that's trying to tell you something about Lupus, or...or something else entirely."

I feel shiver run down my spine. "Is it a haunted toy?! And that haunted toy did my homework somehow?!"

Alex's eyes widened, and he nodded slowly. "I know it sounds crazy, but think about it, Elijah. You get this mysterious plush wolf that looks just like Lupus, and then you start finding your homework done for you. It's like...maybe the plush wolf is trying to help you or something."

I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing up as Alex spoke. It was a ridiculous idea, but at the same time...it kind of made sense. I thought back to the feeling I had when I touched the plush wolf - it was like a strange sense of calm had washed over me.

I sighed. "You know, yesterday my mom said that last night villagers saw 2 large wolves, and it went to my farmhouse front door! My mom said she didn't hear or see anything, and in that same day, " I paused

"My dad found Asher outside my room, and I was 100% sure I was holding him while I was sleeping!" I said

Alex's eyes went wide with excitement and a hint of fear. "Whoa, dude, that's freaky! So, you're saying that the villagers saw two large wolves, and both of them showed up at your front door? And then, the plush wolf Asher just magically appears outside your room?"

He paused, taking a deep breath before speaking again. "I think we're dealing with something way beyond a haunted toy here, Elijah. I think... I think something supernatural is going on."

I nodded slowly, my mind racing with the implications. "I know, right? It's like...something strange is going on. But how? And why?" I felt a shiver run down my spine as I thought about the possibilities.

Alex's eyes locked onto mine, his expression serious. "We need to investigate this further, Elijah. We need to figure out what's going on and why." He paused, a determined look on his face. "Let's start by researching the history of your farm and the surrounding area. Maybe there's a connection between the wolves and your family's past."

I thought about the two plush wolves I had received - the one that looked like Lupus, which I had given to my siblings, and Asher, which looked completely different and had been given to me. "I don't know, Alex. This is all so weird. But I have a feeling that Asher is the key to all of this."

The teacher came in to tell us lunch is over and it is time to get in class

I stood up, gathering my things and nodding to Alex. "I'll see you after class, okay? We can continue this conversation then." Alex nodded, and we both headed to our separate classes.

As I walked into my classroom, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something strange was going on. The mysterious plush wolves, the completed homework, and the sightings of the large wolves in the village all swirled together in my mind. I took my seat, trying to focus on the lesson, but my mind kept wandering back to the mystery.

Pov Asher

I sat quietly on Elijah's bed, watching as he left for class. I was a simple plush wolf, but I held a secret. I was more than just a toy.

As the room grew quiet, I began to stir. My stitched eyes seemed to gleam with a knowing light, and my soft fur rustled with an otherworldly energy. I was waiting for nightfall, when the house would be still and Elijah would be asleep. That's when my work would begin.

The memories of my past flooded my mind as I sat on Elijah's bed. I was a Species Vitalia, a being with the power to absorb the souls of creatures and transfer them into toy vessels. It was a gift, yet a curse.

I remembered the first time I discovered my power. I had stumbled upon a deceased bird, and as I touched its lifeless body, I felt a surge of energy course through me. The bird's soul had been absorbed into me, and suddenly, a toy bird appeared before me. I had placed the soul into the toy, and to my amazement, it had come to life.

Since then, I had honed my craft, creating an army of toy creatures, each one imbued with the soul of a real being. And now, I had created a toy wolf, a replica of Lupus, Elijah's beloved pet. But Elijah had given that one away. The one I had kept for myself, the one that sat on his bed, was me - Asher.

So far, lupus is the only one, and the first that I have created

The memories of Lupus lingered within me. I was crafted with a special purpose, one that connected me to the real Lupus that Elijah had loved and lost. Though I resembled him, my companion, the other plush wolf, was different. I was the first, the original, and the one imbued with a spark of the real Lupus's spirit.

As the night fell, I began to stir. My stitched eyes seemed to gleam with a knowing light, and my soft fur rustled with an otherworldly energy.

I was waiting for Elijah to fall asleep, so I could start my work. I had a task to complete, one that would help Elijah in ways he couldn't understand yet.

I watched as Elijah settled into bed, his eyelids growing heavy as he drifted off to sleep.

As soon as his breathing slowed, I sprang into action. I hopped off the bed and padded silently across the floor, my stitched paws making barely a sound.

My destination was Elijah's backpack, which lay slumped against the wall, filled with textbooks and worksheets.

I had a mission to complete, one that would make Elijah's life a little bit easier... and perhaps bring him closer to uncovering the truth about me, and the mysterious events that had been unfolding around him.

I stay still and frozen, pretending to be a nonliving toy, and I have a big smile

As Elijah walked into his room, he couldn't help but notice me sitting on his bed, a huge smile plastered on my face. He looked at me with a mixture of confusion and amusement, clearly wondering how a plush toy like me could be smiling so widely.

Elijah's eyes narrowed slightly as he approached me. "Asher, you look like you're up to something," he said, his voice laced with suspicion. I remained still, frozen in place, trying to maintain my innocent toy facade. But inside, I was thrilled that Elijah was starting to suspect that something was amiss.

Elijah realized that I had a big smile, and he felt scared to get any close to me

Elijah's eyes widened in alarm as he took a step back, his gaze fixed on my smiling face. He looked like he had seen a ghost, his skin pale and his breath caught in his throat.

For a few tense moments, Elijah just stared at me, his fear and uncertainty hanging in the air like a challenge. I remained still, my smile frozen in place, as I waited to see what Elijah would do next.

Slowly, Elijah's eyes began to dart around the room, as if searching for an escape or a way to make sense of the situation. His voice was barely above a whisper. He spoke a single word: "Asher?"

Elijah question "did you have that big smile when I got you?"

I remained silent, my smile still plastered on my face, as Elijah's eyes searched mine for answers. My stitched lips curled up slightly, as if mocking Elijah's fear and confusion.

Elijah took another step back, his eyes never leaving mine. "I...I don't remember you smiling like that," he stammered. "You were just a normal plush toy when I got you."

Elijah's voice trailed off, and he looked around the room again, as if hoping to find some clue or explanation for my strange behavior. But I just sat there, smiling silently, my stitched eyes gleaming with an otherworldly intensity.

He looked away, and I closed my mouth and looked down, but Elijah looked at me again

As soon as Elijah's eyes met mine again, I froze, my gaze locked on the floor. But I could sense Elijah's intense stare, his eyes fixed on me as if trying to figure out why I was positioned in such a strange way.

Elijah took a cautious step closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "Asher, what's...what's wrong with you?" He paused, his eyes scanning me as if searching for some explanation. "Did I...did I just imagine that you were smiling at me?"

As Elijah looked away, I felt a sudden jolt of fear mixed with embarrassment. I had been so focused on maintaining my frozen smile that I lost my balance and tumbled off the table.

I lay there on the floor, my stitched limbs splayed out at awkward angles. I hoped that Elijah wouldn't notice my fall, but I knew it was only a matter of time before he turned around and saw me lying there.

Elijah's footsteps echoed through the room as he walked over to his bookshelf, seemingly oblivious to my tumble. I held my breath, hoping that he wouldn't turn around, but my luck didn't last. As he reached for a book, Elijah's gaze drifted over to the floor, and his eyes widened in surprise.

He turned around, a mixture of confusion and amusement on his face. "Asher, what are you doing on the floor?" he asked, chuckling. He walked over to me, his eyes scanning me as if to make sure I wasn't damaged. I remained still, trying to appear as lifeless as possible, but my stitched heart felt like it was racing with anxiety.

Elijah question "how did you even fall? You won't even close to the edge of the table!"

Elijah's brow furrowed in confusion as he stared at me, his eyes searching for any explanation. He looked from me to the table, and then back again, as if trying to piece together what had happened.

"I could've sworn you were right in the middle of the table," Elijah muttered to himself, shaking his head. "You're a plush toy, for crying out loud! You can't just...fall over on your own." He paused, his gaze lingering on me as if waiting for me to provide some sort of explanation. But I remained silent, my stitched lips frozen in a mute smile.

He grabbed me and put me on his toy box

As Elijah placed me on the toy box, I felt a mix of relief and anxiety. I was grateful to be upright again, but I was also worried that Elijah might start to suspect that something was amiss.

Elijah stepped back and eyed me warily, as if he was waiting for me to do something else unexpected. After a moment, he seemed to relax, and a small smile played on his lips. "You're just a weird toy, huh?" he said, chuckling. He turned to walk away, but then paused and looked back at me. "But I'm still keeping an eye on you, Asher."

Pov Elijah

I turned to walk away, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about Asher. I glanced back at him, and he seemed perfectly normal, sitting on the toy box with his stitched smile. But I had seen him fall off the table, and I couldn't explain how it had happened.

I shrugged it off, telling myself I must have just imagined it. But as I lay in bed, I couldn't help but think about Asher, and wonder if I was just being paranoid. I looked around my darkened room, and my eyes landed on Asher, sitting silently on the toy box. I felt a shiver run down my spine, and I quickly looked away, trying to distract myself from the strange feeling that was growing inside me.

I heard banging inside the toy box

My heart skipped a beat as I froze, my ears perked up to listen more closely. The banging sounded again, this time louder and more insistent. It was coming from the toy box where I had placed Asher.

I slowly got out of bed, my eyes fixed on the toy box. I approached it cautiously, my mind racing with all sorts of wild explanations for the strange noise. As I reached the toy box, the banging stopped. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should open the lid. But my curiosity got the better of me, and I slowly lifted the lid...

And there it was, the wolf plush look still and looked up with my other toys

I breathed a sigh of relief as I looked at Asher, who was sitting quietly among my other toys. He looked perfectly normal, his stitched smile and glassy eyes staring up at me with an innocent expression.

But despite his harmless appearance, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had settled in my stomach. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I gazed at Asher, my mind replaying the strange noises and movements I had thought I'd seen. I tried to tell myself it was just my imagination, but I couldn't help feeling like something was off.

I closed the lid and locked tight

As I locked the lid, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. It was as if I had trapped whatever strange and unsettling energy was emanating from Asher inside the toy box.

I took a step back, my eyes fixed on the toy box as if I was waiting for something to happen. But the room was silent, and the toy box remained still. I let out a deep breath and tried to shake off the feeling of unease that lingered inside me. I told myself I was just being paranoid, that Asher was just a harmless plush toy. But as I turned to walk away, I couldn't help but wonder...what if he wasn't?

As I closed the door behind me, I heard a loud bang

I spun around, my heart racing, and grabbed the doorknob, hesitating for a moment before slowly turning it and pushing the door open.

The room was dimly lit, and the air was thick with an eerie silence. My eyes scanned the space, searching for the source of the loud bang. That's when I saw it: the toy box lid was open, and Asher was sitting on the edge of the box, his stitched eyes seeming to stare right at me.

I froze, my breath caught in my throat. Asher's stitched smile seemed to be mocking me, and his plastic eyes appeared to be gleaming with a malevolent intensity. I tried to tell myself it was just my imagination, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

I took a cautious step forward, my eyes fixed on Asher. As I moved closer, I noticed that the room was silent, except for a faint, almost imperceptible whispering. It was soft and raspy, and it seemed to be coming from Asher himself.

My skin crawled as I listened to the whispering, trying to make out what was being said. But the words were indistinct, and the voice was like nothing I'd ever heard before. It sent shivers down my spine, and I felt a growing sense of dread.

I took another step forward, my eyes locked on Asher's face. The whispering grew slightly louder, and I could sense a malevolent presence emanating from the plush toy. Suddenly, the whispering stopped, and the room fell silent once more. I stood there, frozen, waiting for something to happen. And then, Asher's stitched mouth seemed to twitch, ever so slightly, into a sly, sinister grin.

My mom came to my room and she heard a loud bang

My mom rushed into my room, a look of concern on her face. "Elijah, what was that noise?" she asked, scanning the room to see if everything was okay.

I hesitated, unsure of how to explain what had just happened. I glanced over at Asher, who was still sitting on the edge of the toy box, his stitched grin seeming to mock me. But when I looked back at my mom, I saw that she was staring at the toy box, a confused expression on her face.

"What's going on, Elijah?" she asked again, this time more firmly. "Why is the toy box open?"

I look at my mom "mom please put this plush into a lock it somewhere else!"

My mom's expression changed from confusion to concern, and she took a step closer to me. "Elijah, what's wrong? Why are you so scared of a plush toy?" she asked, her voice soft and soothing.

But I just shook my head, feeling a sense of desperation. "Please, mom, just get rid of it. I don't want it in my room anymore." I looked at Asher, and I could've sworn I saw his stitched smile grow wider, as if he was enjoying my distress.

My mom hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Okay, sweetie. I'll take it away. But you need to tell me what's going on. What's scaring you about this toy?" She reached out and carefully picked up Asher, holding him at arm's length as if he might bite.

My mom left and closed the door behind her, and I heard her screaming

I froze, my heart racing, as I heard my mom's terrified screams echoing from the other side of the door. I felt a chill run down my spine as I realized that something was horribly wrong.

I slowly got up from my bed and approached the door, my hand trembling as I reached for the doorknob. I hesitated for a moment, wondering if I should open the door and face whatever was happening on the other side. But my concern for my mom's safety propelled me forward, and I slowly turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.

And I look down and that wolf plush is in front of my bedroom door but my mom were no where in sight

I stumbled backward, my eyes fixed on Asher, who was sitting calmly in front of my bedroom door. His stitched smile seemed to be gleaming with an otherworldly intensity, and his glassy eyes appeared to be staring right through me.

I spun around, frantically searching the room for my mom, but she was nowhere to be found. The room was silent and still, except for the sound of my own ragged breathing. I turned back to Asher, my heart racing with fear. "Where's my mom?" I whispered, my voice trembling. But Asher just sat there, his expression unchanging, as if he was waiting for something...or someone.

I heard a voice "Elijah what is going on?" It was my mom

I spun around, relief washing over me as I saw my mom standing in the doorway, a look of concern on her face. "Mom!" I exclaimed, rushing over to her. "I was so scared! I thought something had happened to you."

My mom's expression changed from concern to confusion. "What are you talking about, Elijah? I just went downstairs to put Asher away in the storage room. I didn't see anything unusual." She looked around the room, taking in the scene. "What's going on, sweetie? You look like you've seen a ghost."

I hesitated, unsure of how to explain what had just happened. But before I could say anything, my mom's eyes landed on Asher, who was still sitting calmly in front of the bedroom door. Her expression changed again, this time to one of surprise. "Elijah, I could've sworn I left Asher downstairs..."

I question "mom did you scream? because the moment you close my door, I heard your scream!"

My mom's expression changed to one of alarm, and she took a step back, her eyes wide with concern. "Elijah, I didn't scream," she said, her voice firm but shaking slightly. "I don't know what you're talking about. I closed the door and went downstairs to put Asher away. I didn't make a sound."

She paused, studying my face intently. "Elijah, are you okay? You look like you've seen something that's really scared you. What's going on?"

I shook my head, trying to process what was happening. "I'm telling you, mom, I heard you scream. It was loud and it sounded like you were right outside my door. And then I saw Asher sitting there, and I couldn't find you anywhere..."

My mom's eyes darted back to Asher, who was still sitting calmly in front of the bedroom door. She took another step back, her face pale. "Elijah, I think we need to get out of here," she whispered. "Now."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief that my mom believed me. But as we turned to leave, I heard a faint whispering in my ear. "You can't escape me, Elijah." I spun around, but Asher's expression remained unchanged. My mom grabbed my arm and pulled me out of the room, slamming the door shut behind us.

And I blackout and when I woke up I was in my bed and Asher in my hands look like an innocent wolf plush

I sat up in bed, rubbing my temples, trying to remember what had happened. The last thing I remembered was my mom pulling me out of the room, and then...nothing.

As I looked down at my hands, I saw Asher sitting innocently in my lap. His stitched smile and glassy eyes seemed to stare up at me with a harmless expression. I felt a wave of confusion wash over me. Had it all been just a dream? A wild imagination?

I looked around my room, trying to find some clue as to what had really happened. But everything seemed normal. The sun was shining through the window, casting a warm glow over the room. My mom was nowhere to be seen, but I could hear the sound of her moving around downstairs.

I shook my head, trying to clear the cobwebs. Maybe I had just been spooked by a weird dream. But as I looked down at Asher again, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.

And my bedroom was open and it was my mom. "Good morning, Elijah!" She smiled

I forced a smile back at my mom, still feeling a bit disoriented from the strange events of the previous night. "Good morning, mom," I replied, trying to sound cheerful.

But as I looked at my mom, I couldn't help but notice that she seemed...different. Her smile seemed a bit too wide, her eyes a bit too bright. And was it just my imagination, or was she standing a bit too still, like a statue?

I shook my head, trying to clear the feeling of unease that was growing inside me. "Mom, can I ask you something?" I said, trying to sound casual.

My mom's smile never wavered. "Of course, sweetie. What is it?"

I question, "Did you remember what happened before I blackout?" Mon, look at me confused as if I was crazy

My mom's expression changed from cheerful to confused, and she took a step back, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Elijah, what are you talking about? You didn't blackout. You just went to bed like normal. I came in to check on you and you were fast asleep."

She looked at me like I was crazy, and I could tell she was starting to get worried. "Elijah, are you feeling okay? You're not making any sense."

I shook my head, trying to clear the confusion. "No, mom, I'm telling you, something weird happened. Asher...and you...and I heard a scream..." But my mom just kept shaking her head, her expression growing more and more concerned.

Mom sighed. "Let go outside and play. You might have a bad dream!"

I felt a surge of frustration. A bad dream? That's not what happened. I knew what I experienced, and it was real. But my mom just smiled and nodded, clearly not believing me.

"Come on, Elijah. Let's go outside and get some fresh air. You can play with Asher in the backyard." She picked up Asher from my lap and handed him to me, her eyes sparkling with a cheerful enthusiasm that only made me feel more uneasy.

I hesitated, feeling a chill run down my spine as I looked at Asher's stitched smile. But my mom just nudged me gently towards the door, urging me to go outside and play.

I look at my toy box and put him inside and close the lid and lock it

As I locked the toy box, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. Asher was trapped inside, and I could finally breathe a sigh of relief. I turned to my mom, who was watching me with a puzzled expression.

"Mom, I don't want to play with Asher anymore," I said firmly. "I want to keep him locked in the toy box."

My mom raised an eyebrow, clearly not understanding my sudden aversion to the plush toy. "Elijah, what's wrong with Asher? He's just a harmless toy."

But I just shook my head, feeling a sense of determination. "I don't care, mom. I'm not playing with him again."

My mom sighed, clearly frustrated with my stubbornness. "Elijah, you're being ridiculous. Asher is just a toy. He can't hurt you." She paused, studying me intently. "Is this about the bad dream you had? Because, sweetie, it was just a dream."

But I shook my head, feeling a surge of defiance. "No, mom. It's not just a dream. Something's wrong with Asher. I can feel it." I looked at the toy box, making sure the lid was still locked. "I'm not going to play with him again. Ever."

My mom's expression softened, and she walked over to me, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Okay, Elijah. If it makes you feel better, we'll put Asher away for good. But you have to promise me one thing: you have to stop being so scared. There's nothing to be afraid of."

I nodded, feeling a small sense of relief. But as I looked at the toy box, I couldn't shake the feeling that Asher was still watching me, waiting for his chance to escape.

Pov Asher

The darkness of the toy box enveloped me, a familiar and comforting shroud. I lay still, my stitched smile frozen in place, as I listened to the muffled sounds outside.

Elijah's words echoed in my mind: "I'm not going to play with him again. Ever." Foolish child. He thinks he can escape me that easily?

I've been waiting for so long, patiently biding my time until the perfect moment to strike. And now, locked away in this toy box, I can feel my power growing, simmering just below the surface.

Elijah may think he's trapped me, but he's only made me stronger. The darkness is my friend, and soon, I'll be free to unleash my full fury upon him.

The toy box lid creaked slightly, and I felt a thrill run through me. It won't be long now. Elijah will soon learn that you can't keep a monster like me locked away forever.

I am just a harmless living toy, a species called vitalia. we don't hurt a single fly

I smiled to myself, my stitched lips curling upward. Ah, yes, the Vitalia. A species of living toys imbued with magic and life. We were created to bring joy and companionship to children, and we took our role very seriously.

But, I must admit, I had grown... tired of being seen as just a harmless toy. I longed for more, for excitement, for adventure. And Elijah, with his vivid imagination and sensitive heart, had been the perfect playmate.

I had never intended to scare him, only to...liven things up a bit. But, it seemed I had gone too far. Elijah was afraid of me now, and I was locked away in this toy box.

I sighed, feeling a pang of regret. Perhaps I had been too enthusiastic. But, I was determined to make things right. I would wait patiently in this toy box until Elijah was ready to forgive me and play with me once again.