Being dead for a thousand years is not something worth talking about.
A sudden flash of blinding light struck the face of the creature lying inside an ancient casket, its wood cracked with age and stained by time. Dust danced through the air like restless spirits disturbed from their long slumber.
For the first time in a millennium… she felt warmth.
Sunlight.
Who is that?
Her inner voice whispered, sharp and cold as shattered glass.
Who is so brave enough to set me free?
Slowly, the creature's eyes fluttered open.
The sun burned directly into her pupils, forcing a hiss from between her dry, cracked lips. Her body trembled as she pushed herself upright. Bones cracked violently, joints snapping and twisting as though rusted metal were grinding back into place after centuries of stillness.
She inhaled sharply.
"I am free…"
Her voice was hoarse. Inhuman.
"I am free!" she screamed again, laughter bursting from her chest—wild, broken, and utterly unhinged.
Then her gaze shifted.
In the far corner of the dim room, a beautiful young girl crouched behind a wooden table, trembling violently, her wide eyes filled with horror.
She looked almost identical to me.
Almost.
The only difference was that unlike the ugly me… she was beautiful.
The creature tilted her head slowly.
How fascinating.
She moved forward with predatory grace, her steps uneven yet deliberate. Her lips curled back, revealing sharp teeth as a low growl rumbled from her throat.
In one swift motion, she grabbed the girl by the neck.
I tried to scream, but no sound came out.
Her grip tightened, draining the girl's life force. The poor girl struggled helplessly as something invisible,something warm,was ripped out from deep inside her.
Her strength faded.
Her vision blurred.
The monster's body convulsed violently, twisting as though invisible chains were snapping back into place. I heard the sickening sound of bones resetting, like rusted locks clicking open after centuries.
Pain.
Then silence.
When she finally released the girl, her appearance had changed.
Her skin was no longer pale and cracked.
Her eyes were no longer hollow.
She looked… human.
Beautiful.
She smiled.
And then she vanished into the Abyss, leaving the almost lifeless girl sprawled across the cold floor.
I shot up from my bed with a gasp.
My chest heaved violently as sweat clung to my skin. My sheets were soaked, and my hands trembled as I pressed them against my face.
It was just a dream.
I assured myself scared.
But it didn't feel like one.
I grabbed the glass of water beside my bed and gulped it down desperately. The cool liquid did little to calm the fire burning in my throat.
That dream had felt too real.
My eyes darted to the wall clock.
I was late.
And right on cue, my mom's voice echoed from downstairs, screaming my name.
"Oh, man," I muttered, throwing the covers aside.
After a rushed warm bath, I stood in front of my mirror I frozed on seeing the red mark on my neck.
It was so clear and visible as if someone had strangled me.
My fingers trembled as I touched it, and a chill crept down my spine.
I was confused as to why I had such a strange mark on my neck.
"It was just a dream Clover," I assured myself , shaking my head.
Trying to ignore the uneasiness crawling beneath my skin.
I reached out for a random clothe from my wardrobe. I didn't care about what I wore, as long as it is called a cloth and covers my body it is fine by me, Unlike my cousin Helen.
Helen always dressed like she is always attending a fashion show every single day.
I wore a tuttle neck shirt, I made sure it covers the red mark on my neck perfectly. Wearing my brown baggie trouser before rushing downstairs.
"Good morning, Mom."
"Good morning, Dad."
I pecked them lightly on the cheek before taking my seat which was between the two master seat for mom and dad. Helen sat opposite me, looking flawless as usual.
"Good morning, Clover," she greeted sweetly.
My mood instantly darkened immediately.
I hates that name.
Clover.
Just hearing it made my stomach twist.
Who even names their child Clover?
"No body but my parents I answered myself".
"You don't have to greet me," I muttered coldly.
Everything about Helen irritates me.
Starting from that flawless face of hers.
The way she smiled.
The way she dressed.
The way she existed so effortlessly.
I am a few months older than her, yet she is always the most favoured by everyone.
Always glowing.
Always perfect.
Even when I tried to dress up, I somehow looked worse.
"Why are you snapping at her?" my mom asked as she and Dad joined the table.
Then her eyes scanned my outfit.
"And why are you dressed like a boy today? Look at Helen, she looks beautiful and kept like a lady."
Not again, my inner mind screamed.
Every single day, I always gets compared to her.
I quickly grabbed a piece of bread, stuffed it into my mouth, and gulped down my tea.
"I'm done," I muttered, standing up quickly. "Thanks for the food I greeted" before grabbing my bag rushing out before another comparison would stab me in the chest.
I don't want to walk to school with Helen.
We weren't in high school anymore.
I want to walk alone.
I was tired of being measured against her shadows.
Helen wasn't just beautiful.
She had perfect grades too.
While I…
I was always the one who came last at everything.
"You should wait for Helen," my mom said to me.
"I'm in a hurry mom, she can go to school by herself, she is not a child" I replied quickly, already halfway out the door. "Goodbye, Dad!"
The door shut behind me.
"She behaves just like you,"My mom muttered to my Dad with a playful smile written on her face.
My dad laughed softly.
And honestly… she wasn't wrong. Dad was just as grumpy as I am. I guess I inherited it from him.
On my way to school, I heard someone calling out my name.
"Clover!"
I turned immediately to see Jane, my paddy and only friend, waving wildly from across the street.
"Wait for me she screamed!"
She ran toward me, slightly out of breath, and we hugged like we hadn't seen each other in years.
As we walks to school, she excitedly filled me in on her weekend. She had gone out with her boyfriend John, how they went for movie show, the late-night ice cream, and long walks. Her eyes sparkled as she talked, and I found myself smiling along with her.
I am twenty-two years old.
No boyfriend.
No romantic story.
I haven't even hold a guys hand yet.
Just… me.
My life was a mess. Or maybe the real problem was actually me, starting with my weird name. I mean what kind of guy would want to date a girl like me? Especially one named Clover.
My heart cried bitterly but I still manage to give out a sweet smile.
Jane suddenly stopped talking and looked at me expectantly.
I stared back at her not understanding why she was looking at me.
"What about you? How was your weekend?"
My stomach tightened.
How could I tell her that nothing special had happened to me after she have already filled my in on her experience.
How could I tell her that all I had was a terrifying nightmare about a monster stealing someone's life force, and waking up this morning to see a mysterious red mark on my neck?
She would definitely label me a psycho, adding that to the long list of side names people already calls me.
"I was sick," I lied smoothly. "Didn't really go out."
Her face softened instantly. "Oh no, sorry."
I nodded, relieved that she bought the lie.
We entered class together as Jane is not only my friend but my course mate. And shortly after, just like every other day, I spent most of it fighting sleep… and eventually losing.
By the time lectures ended, I was drained.
"I'm home!" I announced as I stepped inside, already heading upstairs.
"What about Helen? Mom asked from the kitchen".
"How would I know I replied ".
"You should be more nice to your sister" she said.
"Yes mom" I replied.
"Change and prepare for dinner," she said.
"Okay," I answered lazily, shutting my bedroom door behind me.
I threw myself onto the bed, exhaustion swallowing me whole.
And then I drifted off.
Darkness.
I saw her running.
The same woman from my dream, the one with red hair that looks just like me,was sprinting toward an endless abyss. Her hair once fiery, now looked dull and withered as if life itself was draining from it.
Behind her was dozens of weird ugly creatures.
Their growls echoed through the darkness as they chased her, claws scraping against unseen ground.
She stumbles as she ran.
They were close, too close.
Just as they lunged to devour her, i woke up with a violent gasp.
My heart pounding wildly against my ribs, faster than normal, almost painful. I clutched my chest, trying to steady my breathing.
Why do I keep dreaming about her? I wondered.
And the painful question is why does the dream feels real?
That was the terrifying part.
It didn't feel like imagination.
It felt like a part of me.
The uneasiness in my stomach grew, i rushed into the bathroom and turned on the cold shower, letting the icy water pour over me. My body trembled.
"Why do I keep seeing her?" I whispered to myself totally confused.
After the cold bath, I changed into my nightdress, hair messy and headed downstairs for dinner.
Everyone was already seated, waiting.
I sat quietly and began eating without saying much.
"Helen's boyfriend is so sweet," Mom said cheerfully. "He dropped her off at home today."
She brushed a strand of Helen's hair away lovingly.
"What's so special about having a boyfriend?" I asked casually, though jealousy burned in my chest. "Apart from keeping you awake at night and wasting your time, I don't see the big deal."
Mom chuckled. "That's the fun, honey. Midnight calls… butterflies… all of it."
"Oh, Mom, no need to explain to her," Helen said sweetly. "She probably hasn't had a boyfriend before, so she wouldn't understand."
Her innocent smile made it worse.
"I guess," Mom sighed. "Sometimes I wonder if she'll ever get married if she continues like this."
That one hit.
I scoffed loudly and pushed my chair back, standing abruptly.
"I chose to be single!" I snapped. "I rejected all of them!"
The lie tasted bitter.
I stormed upstairs without looking back.
"You're wrong this time," Dad said quietly to Mom before following after me.