Prelude to the Dream

The night rain had ceased, leaving the silent forest in pitch-black darkness, save for the numerous puddles scattered across the ground.

Splosh!

Suddenly, a fair, tender foot splashed through a puddle. It belonged to a young girl; she ignored the risk of tripping, straining to maintain her balance as she sprinted forward with all her might.

The girl’s clothes were tattered, failing to fully cover her frail frame. Her shoulders, occasionally exposed beneath the moonlight, were so thin and white they stirred a sense of pity—as if a gentle push would be enough to make her fall and break a bone.

Whoosh—

A night breeze swept through the forest.

The girl’s silver hair fluttered in the wind, catching the moonlight with an almost celestial glow. But as she ran into the shadows of the trees, a flicker of terror glinted within her crimson pupils.

There was the glow of firelight; it was far behind her, yet it was closing in fast.

The puddle the girl had just crossed began to reflect the moonlight once more, but the brief silence was not permitted to last. One leather boot after another trampled through it!

Water droplets shattered against scores of filthy boots. Flickering flames were imprisoned atop the torches in their hands. Birds nesting in the treetops were startled awake, flapping their wings as they fled into the sky.

Thud, thud, thud!

The sound of the many boots drew closer and closer. The girl ran even more desperately; she didn’t dare look back, she only dared to keep running!

Suddenly, a clearing appeared ahead, bordering a precipice. There was no cover here, only the illumination of the bright moon and the starry sky.

The girl had nowhere left to run. In despair, she curled into a crouch, clutching her head and praying for someone to save her.

Pair after pair of boots entered the clearing. Upon seeing the girl, the men slowed their pace, fanning out to form a circle, surrounding her.

Under the firelight, their eyes were bloodshot; a hidden madness lurked within their trembling wrists.

They stared at one another, then raised their torches and swarmed forward, lashing out at the girl.

“Damned mongrel!”

“How can a jinx like you exist in this world!”

“Die! Just die!”

The sounds of the beating devolved into a chaotic mess. Gradually, the girl’s voice fell silent, while the night remained as it was.

……

“Ah!”

A youth snapped his eyes open and bolted upright in bed. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and pressed a hand to his chest; his heart was thumping wildly.

Buzz! Buzz!

The phone on the nightstand vibrated, its screen lighting up. It was the fifth time the calendar event reminder had gone off.

“What time is it…”

The youth muttered to himself, reaching for the phone to check. 14:25.

“I guess I really have to go to the hospital.” He rubbed his hair in frustration—strands of white were scattered amidst the black.