Alina's POV.
"Another nightmare," I mumbled under my breath as I came back to reality. 'Same game, different pattern.' I thought to myself.
This wasn't its first visit, and I wasn't scared when I woke up. The first months of the first year were filled with horror. I had thought I wouldn't be able to survive such a 'spine-chilling tale' of a nightmare if it keeps coming.
But as time goes on, it turned into a daily routine, with my jittery nerves and mind waiting for our regular visitor each time the bright face of the sun leaves the sky.
I showed no indifference, no emotion, and no fear toward the dream I had just woken from—yet I remained acutely aware of the new incidents in it.
I yawned, huddled up in my threadbare quilt, and gently tugged some strands of my messy hair off my face while trying to stabilize my throbbing heart.
This nightmare has turned into a tradition in my life since I turned twenty, and my countless attempts to use dreamless herbal remedies I learned from my grandmother to keep this strange man and his mysterious forest out of my sleep all failed.
At first, it was a hassle, battling with countless sleepless nights just to stay away from his voice and forest, but then, I began to grow immune to the fears as months turned into years, and now I no longer flinch after the nightmare.
Although today was much scarier since I got to take a closer look at my haunter and his forest, I still didn't let it break me down like the old days, and it's an impressive step that I'm glad I took.
I sluggishly opened my eyes after blinking severely, trying to get a glimpse of the chilling ambience I had woken up to.
The luminous reflection of sunlight from the partly opened window flushed through my face. I shut my eyes as a result of the effect, blocking the reflection with my right palm before opening them again.
For a moment, my vision went blurry, and my mind saggy, with the image of the man from the dream replaying in my mind, mixing up with the silhouette my drowsy eyes had rested on. I was freaked out and jerked up, impatiently rubbing my eyes.
My heart stands aloof in my chest in absolute terror while I try to force my mind to work and get a clearer vision of the silhouette that stood in front of me, against the scintillating reflection of the sun that graces the room through the window.
"Look who is still lying here. Are you terrified to see me?" Her voice quickly parroted in my head, pulling me out of the fear that had enveloped my mind.
"Oh, Nissa, it's you," I muttered, relieved to know it was her and not my shitty dreams taking place in reality.
Nissa is my best friend and an endowed young girl. Petite and curvy, and the best of her—the goofy and adventurous spirit. Her facial beauty and graceful figure always get guys on their toes, making people wonder if she is truly from the same parents as her deceased sister, Kate, who looks nothing like her.
Nissa has been good company right from my childhood and my only source of livelihood, the only relative I could say I have ever had since I lost my grandmother. And just like other days, Nissa had visited to remind me of our intended activities for the day, which I had totally forgotten about.
"You still got your lazy ass stuck here, huh?" Nissa hissed, pushing the curtains to the sides to let the gleaming morning sunlight into the room, making it brighter now and lighter.
I turned to the other side of the bed, ignoring her and trying to get back to sleep. What I had earlier isn't enough, after all; the frequent interference of the nightmare is clearly not an option for good sleep. Although I know it wouldn't make any difference even if I went back to sleep now, I just wanted to avoid Nissa's troubles by all means—yet she wouldn't give in.
"Can you… Just let me be this morning?" I hissed, rolling my eyes at her and feigning a return to my imaginary luscious sleep.
"We both know that sleep is an impossible thing to accomplish now, Alina. So kindly surrender, or I will make you do that," Nissa mused innocently.
Her words meant no harm, but it hurts me knowing that she is right after all; there was never a way I would have a peaceful sleep without getting into that horrible forest. So, I have to tell myself the truth, give up, and surrender to Nissa. But not so fast—certainly, she would have to fight for the trophy.
"Well, let's see if you would truly make me surrender," I challenged in an inaudible tone, ready to welcome her regular tickling. It's fun after all, and it wouldn't be a bad way to start my day after the horrors from that dream.
"You've got to get your ass up from there, Alina. Let's get going; you wouldn't want us missing out on anything". Nissa scolded as she scuffled with my threadbare quilt, trying to pull me out. I ignored her, smiling as I snuggled deeper into the bed and hugged the quilt tightly around me to get comfy and out of Nissa's reach—obviously trying to put her through a little stress before giving in.
"It's obvious you've forgotten our plans of going to the woods this morning to pick some fruit before heading to the ball." Nissa reminded me. Interrupting the fuzzy image of the forestman and his forest that was still playing in my mind, she pulled the quilt harder, kicking me out of it.
"Ball?….ball?….which ball?" my lazy voice questioned sluggishly. "Can I get some more sleep, please?… I'm yet to finish up with my fantasy dream. I want to see my prince charming again " I pleaded, feigning sleepy eyes even on the floor while cuddling and snuggling my head into the pillow, which fell to the wooden floor with me—clearly not understanding what she meant by the ball she just mentioned.