THE NIGHTMARE

Chapter 9

That would never occur, thanks to Selina's efforts.

I began to drift off into a vivid dream as I fell deep asleep.Valerian was firmly encircling my father's neck while he was holding him against the wall in my dream.As he struggled for air and clawed at Valerian's grasp, Sirius' eyes were bulging out of their sockets.As she begged Valerian to release her husband, my mother collapsed on her knees and pulled at his ankles.From over his shoulder, those horrible eyes that were a bloodthirsty red stared at me, waiting for me to either be kind and let him go or give him permission to cut my father's throat.I felt that unidentified darkness twitching within me.A portion of me desired for him to kill my father.I couldn't harm Balrus in the same way that he had killed my freedom, so I couldn't kill him.He would experience such sorrow in the future if his loving father were to leave him.

The entirety of Valerian's fangs were exposed, and I could feel them poised to strike.As oxygen couldn't get to his brain, my father's face was slowly turning blue.He gave me a prayerful glance as his eyes began to bulge.

I demanded, "Let him go."Sirius fell to the ground, cradling his throat as he gasped for air after Valerian let go of him.

Valerian yelled, "Filthy humans," as his fangs parted and he softly reached for me.

I grimaced as I retreated.Do not approach me.I despise you!I yelled and dashed for the garden.

As I raced down the yellow brick paths in search of my favorite bench with a perfect view of the glistening stars, I was overcome with tears because everything was so dim that I couldn't see where I was going.Dark clouds had rolled in and covered the moon, and snowflakes began to fall from the sky like confetti shot from a cannon.

My screams broke out into incoherent whimpers as my chest began to heave uncontrollably.As the lump in my throat made me choke, I was barely able to breathe.As I climbed the snowy mountains in search of a safe haven, my legs became numb.I collapsed under a huge oak tree that I had never seen in the garden before because of my emotional breakdown.The tallest tree I had ever seen, it seemed to lead to a giant's home in the clouds by reaching high into the air.The ground was stifled by a blanket of snow, so I curled up into a fetal position.My tears froze to my cheeks as snowflakes fell from the large oak tree.My boiling rage was the only thing that kept me warm.I could only wonder why as I wept.If the universe had such a strong dislike for me, why did it hand me such a terrible fate?What did my agony bring to the world?It is said that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, but none of this was a divine lesson for me.I wanted to vanish.I wanted to find solace and put all of this pain behind me.

I was enveloped by the darkness that escaped through my skin like gloomy vines.It embraced me with such tenderness and unusual warmth.As I took deep breaths, my heart rate began to slow down.I heard the inner demon whisper false hopes and strategies to gain my sovereignty.

It hissed in my ear like a serpent, tempting me to eat the forbidden fruit, but there was a way out.A sharp dagger appeared in my palm in a split second.Fearing the next step in these directions made me cringe.

Be on your own.If you are no longer here, he cannot have you.A single dagger stroke is all that is required.As one of the shadow vines seductively slithered down my spine, the serpent's tongue tickled my ear.

As I applied the cold steel to my wrist, my lips tingled.I couldn't see any other way out of this predicament, even though I didn't want to die.I was content with the fact that autonomy would accompany me into the afterlife.I would prevail.Valerian couldn't have me, which is what he frantically needed, yet consider the possibility that he would not keep on treating Balrus.What if he was enraged by my untimely death and my brother paid the price?Balrus wouldn't let me do that.It wouldn't be fair to him that way.

“No.As I threw the dagger into the gloomy winter cold, I snarled, "I won't take the easy way out."

Then I'll get rid of you on my own!As two cuts were made in my neck, I felt a growl and heard it.As my panic overcame me, I screamed from the pain.The snow was stained white by the blood that leaked from my wound.

"Cease, please!"As the savage blades pounded further into my neck, I begged.As I dug my nails into the ground, I struggled to escape the agony.

As I felt the veins in my body empty, my muscles became sluggish and limp.As I tried to keep my eyes open, black dots blocked my vision.I could hear the serpent and the shadow vines trembling in terror as my spirit held onto its vessel.As I felt two powerful arms surround me, the pain in my neck stopped.As he pressed his wrist to my mouth, I felt my head collapsing with his chest.As the unfamiliar heat engulfed me like a blanket, a warm, thick liquid slid down my throat.I immediately felt safe as the scent of sandalwood and sweet bergamot filled my nostrils.It appeared as though I had finally discovered the haven I had sought.

I was suddenly moved.This person was still gently cradling my body.As I felt carried upstairs, my sleepy head wobbled against the solid chest.I was tucked under my itchy blanket and this unknown being gently placed me on my familiar uneven mattress.I tried to say something, but all I could manage was a soft moan that was also filled with sadness and gratitude.

I slowly opened my eyes as I felt myself getting stronger.I could only see the stunning cadmium-green eyes that were glowing from my bedside in the pitch-black room.As I gasped, my lips parted to meet theirs.A sense of admiration and desire consumed me, and I felt my stomach flutter as my heart raced.I felt secure for the first time in what seemed like forever.I felt as though I was at home.

As the clouds parted, the figure touched my cheek with the back of his fingers, letting the moonlight shine brightly into my room.My eyes were granted permission to take in his presence as his face shone through the shadows.I screamed in terror when I saw that familiar grin.As I tried to get away from him, I was jolted.He was amused and unbothered by my hostility as he sat there.

"Valerie, what do you want?"I demanded because I was ashamed of myself for the warm feelings I had just experienced.Despite the fact that I deeply detested him, I couldn't deny the way my heart pounded against my chest as though it were attempting to escape and reach for him.The tingling sensation that crawled up my skin and stopped short of giving me goosebumps or the way my birthmark burned and itched when he was near made my cheeks turn red.As if they were already enslaved and being dragged toward him, my heart and body instinctively responded to him.I wanted to get away from him.Tell my heart to shut up and leave my thoughts and feelings about Valerian to my brain.He stood for the fate I so desperately desired to avoid.

He graciously tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear despite my request.He pulled me closer by pinching my chin and gliding his fingers along my jawline.I shook as his mouth passed over mine.His lips would collide with mine with a single flinch.As his touch ignited my skin, his erotic proximity caused the inside of my thighs to throb.I could not appear to distance myself from him.How could someone I detested so rouse me?

He guided his palm toward my birthmark as he slid his hand down my left shoulder.As waves of heat swept through me, he gripped my wrist and consumed my animosity while calming my rage.I was able to see him clearly at that point.He had the most stunning face.He had perfectly constructed eyes that sparkled only when he looked at me, sweet mouthwatering dimples, perfectly straight, white teeth, and the most beautiful smile.I realized then that he was the only person who had ever truly desired me when his gaze was filled with such love and devotion.

Before making the mark on his lips, he gave my wrist a gentle massage.I closed my eyes and inhaled his touch as he gently kissed my skin as my body lit up.

“On your 18th birthday, I will come back to claim you, my love.I will always love you.I snapped out of my love because of his statement.When he said those words, any trance he had put me in vanished.He reminded me how my life was self-destructing as a result of him