"Grace, help me!"

I was holding onto Ben's sweaty wrist. He was hanging off the cliff edge, his feet dangling above the endless, black abyss.

"Help me, please!", he coughed out, his voice raw.

I held his arm as tight as I could, my hands clenching at every bit of skin I could grasp. He was slowly slipping away from my view.

Desperate to find a solution, I looked at his face which held tears rolling down his cheek. His eyes widened.

A painful cry escaped my lungs as I tried to find something to hold on, fighting against the rough, merciless power of gravity.

Ben was slowly pulling me down with him.
My heart was racing, making my breath hitch like a fish on dry land. The uneven ground ripped my clothes. Cut through my skin.

"Get him back, get him back!"

I threw my head back in pain. My muscles were burning like somebody had drenched them in gasoline and lit a match.

"Seems like you've been subsiding!"

Somehow I could see myself from above, a vulture circling in threatening spirals and patiently waiting for it's prey to die.

I wouldn't be strong enough. I would fail and kill both of us.

"Grace..."
Ben's voice made me look back at him.

His body was limp. He was hanging in my grip like a slack rag doll, twitching like a freshly killed animal.

"Grace"

He was sounding weirdly unfamiliar. His voice had suddenly gotten deeper and... angrier.
Much more angrier.

"It's okay, I've got you", straining, I tried to ignore the eerie feeling creeping up in my stomach and pull him back up. But his body seemed to get heavier with every second, like somebody had strapped a rock around his feet.

Suddenly, his second hand shot up and grabbed my arm. His grip was strong, locking my hand shut like a vice.

His skin had turned ice cold, making the blood in his veins turn blue.

Ben's head abruptly shot up and he fixed his gaze on my eyes. I almost screamed in shock when his face turned blurry for a lighting moment.

That wasn't Ben anymore.

His wild eyes were black and empty. Thick blood was dripping out of his mouth.

He looked... dead.

"You've killed us. You've killed us all!"

With sharp movements, he started to climb up the walls while pulling me down at the same time.

"You're weak! And now you've killed us!", spit flew from his foaming mouth.

I tried to hold onto something.
Get away from him.
Away from that thing.

But everything seemed to slip out of my hands. I was losing control, slowly turning into fine mist.

And then I fell.

I opened my mouth to scream, but nothing but a cold breath came out, my voice not belonging to my body anymore.

The last thing I saw was that dead thing that once had been Ben.

Unable to move, I was dropping into cold darkness, my stomach turning upside down with a sick feeling. The air whipped past my ear, making a soft screaming noise that scratched something in my brain.

Instead of slamming to the ground and breaking my bones from the impact, it felt like I fell into a lake, freezing white water surrounding me and dulling out any sound.

Before I could try to push my way up for air, my body got sucked away from the surface, pressing out every last bit of oxygen I had left in my lungs.

Everything transformed as quick as a stroke of a paintbrush transformed a picture.

My surrounding changed. Into an endlessly long hallway filled with mirrors of unthinkable shapes and sizes.

My wild gasping left no echo as I turned around multiple times. Something didn't allow my brain to think. The little door in the back of my mind had disappeared.

I saw my ghost-like reflection staring back at me everywhere I looked. I stepped closer to one of the mirrors, hundreds copying my actions. My careful steps felt weirdly lightheaded, as if I wasn't actually walking.

Slowly, I looked at the perfectly clear surface. My appearance seemed surprisingly normal, like I didn't just fall off a cliff.

My face was still twisted in that weird blur, but no cuts or scratches were decorating my body.

In fact, the more I looked, the clearer my reflection became. My usually messed-up hair had curled itself into beautiful waves around my shoulders and even my face slowly changed itself. My lips got a little wider and their ripped skin disappeared, together with the little red spots where I had accidentally stung a blood vessel on my nose.

Still uncertain who that person was, I tried to smile. The mirror responded. 

Tiny wrinkles appeared around my eyes when my lips pulled into a wide grin. A positive surge of confidence rushed through me. 

I was looking at what I wished to be.

But something was wrong.

The second I turned my head, the image flickered, like the surface of a pond after somebody threw a stone at it. The mirror revealed my actual face; with all the piercing flaws I constantly noticed and that made me want to rip my skin off of my bones.

A voice I suddenly recognized as my own started to scream. A high-pitched, painful wail.

My feet moved on their own, stumbling backwards and slamming my back against another mirror. 

Leaning my forehead against the cool glass, I looked at my face, two hate-filled eyes staring back at me.

They stopped blinking.

My reflection suddenly touched the glass, delicately, as if she was trying to break out without any effort.

I jumped back with electric shock.

The person behind the mirror turned foggy. Bloody, crack-like markings were forming their way up to the face until her eyes sunk in to the back of her head.

"Wish...wish...wish...", multiple voiced carried themselves through the corridor, every reflection now staring in my direction, giving me the sick thrill of someone standing alone in the spotlight and forgetting their lines.

The women slowly grinned and presented me rows of sharp teeth, blood dripping off the corner of their mouths and onto the ground. 

I heard it splashing, which was worse than the creeping silence. Throwing my head around in rising panic, I saw the read liquid falling in small, steady droplets, covering the flawlessly white floor like rain. 

My eyes wildly hushed back to see the same atrocious girl, standing behind the glass, softly reaching out for me. Her paper white hands touched the surface and a small crack appeared.

"Wish, wish, wish", the voices grew louder, more urgent...more hungry.

I started to run. The crack was following me, steadily growing. 

I didn't look back when I heard glass shattering, knowing that they had freed themselves.

Once again, I was a bird, graciously flying behind myself and now seeing that more and more of those... monsters had burst out of the mirrors. 

Some of them were winding on the ground, wildly twitching and wrenching their limbs into position while others started to follow me. 

They were moving like puppets that had just come to life and still needed to learn how to walk. Uncontrolled. No more invisible strings holding them back. 

"Look, Papa! I'm a real boy!"

They answered with hoarse screams, picking up on speed. They were faster than me.

My lungs were burning, and no matter how much I moved, the more I slowed down. My feet were pulled away beneath me. And when I fell, my face hitting the ground with a smacking sound, my vision was blurred red. 

Turning around on my stomach, I saw the puddle of blood I had slipped on. My insides pulled together and I gagged. 

The rational parts of my brain finally took over, screaming at me that this was all a dream.

Yet I wouldn't wake up when everything suddenly turned pitch black like the deep midnight sky.

The panic clamped around my chest. Covering my head, I crouched, making myself as small as possible. A heavy sob escaped my shaking body. Blurry voices I've never heard chimed through my head.

"This is a dream, this is a dream"

They grew louder and louder, already screaming, until my ears hurt and I forced myself to open my eyes.

Suddenly, everything had gotten quiet. Desperate to orientate myself, I crawled forward, having lost every sense of direction. 
Not even my tapping fingers made a sound.

With a bang, a young girl's voice started to cry.

I scrambled up and whirled my head around. But I was completely alone. I was so sure because something told me from the back of my mind.
It felt like the sobbing sounds were right behind me, but my hands touched nothing but stale air. My thoughts were running. 

Everything started spinning and twisting, a merry go round of horror. 

I stumbled backwards to find myself in a bright, white room with glass walls once more.

"Interesting"

I hurriedly turned, my hair whipping at my face. 

A blonde woman with a sterile white lab coat was standing behind one of the transparent glass walls.

"Send him in."

A door opened, swishing sideways, revealing a young boy with brown hair entering the room. I wanted to move but he walked right through me, not bothered by my existence.

I was a ghost.

Nothing but an old memory.
Something banged against the door in my head, scratching at the wood and splintering off the color.

The boy carefully approached someone behind me. When I turned around to look at whoever he was talking to, I saw a young girl with short, chocolate brown hair and eyes sparkling from tears. 

I let out a soft gasp. 

I was looking at little Me.

A real reflection this time. Not pictures of my imagination.

"Grace, do you want to talk to me?", the boy asked. He was talking in a soft, yet stern tone.
Far too grown up for a boy his age. 

When the girl didn't react, he took a step forward.
"I received the test results and I need you to answer some questions. Is that okay?" 

Younger Me finally nodded, still no words escaping her dry lips.

So I've always had a habit with that.

Before they could continue the conversation, a blinding blue flash appeared and I was standing next to the woman and the boy. 

A few minutes seemed to have passed. 

"With her, we can finally start the trials.", the woman spoke to the boy, gently placing a firm hand on his shoulder, "Good job...Thomas."

They turned around to look at the girl in the room. She was  crying in pain, screams of pure terror tearing at her complexion.

Her eyes were wide with a glassy shadow covering them, as she was desperately pounding on the walls. 

My heart stopped when she looked directly at me as if she could see me, her terrible scream chiming through the room, turning into the Griever's screech I've heard before.

I shot up, gasping for air like I've just emerged from the depths of the ocean. 

Why did I have to be this dramatic?!

I quickly looked around, just to realize that I've really been just dreaming. Just a nightmare. Nothing more than my brain brewing up a world of madness, grief and fury.

A wave of relief washed over me, cleaning out the invisible smoke that made it hard to breathe.

Reassuring myself that I was in the Glade... that I was safe, I propped myself up, almost falling out of the hammock.

My hands were shaking, like I had just ran four miles and was now out of adrenaline.

It was a dream, it was a dream, it was a dream.

But then why did it feel so real? I had been able to feel things, actually see things. Not just a dream. Rather... a memory.

I still had the scream ringing in my ears. Fine, thrilling noises forever embedded in my brain.
It made me shiver. 

The night was just as dark as it had been before and I wouldn't be able to sleep now anyway, so I got up with a sigh, pulling the blanket with me. 

Quietly climbing up the little observation tower while trying not to wake anybody, I sat down and let my feet dangle over the edge.

I could  jump down there. Hypothetically.

A soft nippy breeze tangled through my hair that made me tighten the blanket around my shoulders like a cape.

My eyes flew over the peaceful view of the quiet Glade and a cold sting pierced at my heart. My lip started to burn from me never quite leaving it time to heal. 

I felt my thoughts spinning back to the nightmare and I closed my eyes in denial.

For once, I didn't want to remember. 

I heard familiar voices again and my head felt like it was stuffed full with cotton. And even though my eyes were shut tight, I could see the white flashes of strangers' faces. Every thought was echoing and pounding, as if I had a Grand Canyon in my mind that threw back every word ten times as loud. 

Not that I knew what a Grand Canyon was. The word just seemed fitting. 

Pictures flashed before my eyes. A Polaroid slideshow of moments I'd rather forget. Ben hanging off the edge, monstrous versions of myself bursting through glass, younger Me. 

And Thomas.

What was he doing in my memories? And who was this woman next to him? My head began to hurt and I covered my face, trying to suppress my rising panic. Breathing got difficult.

Oh, how much I hated anxiety. 

"Grace?"

A quiet voice made me flinch and the blanket got shrugged off my shoulders, sailing its way to the ground like an autumn leaf. 

"Hey, it's just me."

Newt.

I quickly stood up, supporting myself on the wooden pole that was used as a barrier. The boy was standing in front of me, his messy hair falling into his face from the wind.

"What are you doing here?", my tone was harsher than intended.

"I couldn't sleep when I saw you wandering off, so I wanted to check on you. You sure everything's alright?" 

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine.", I waved my hand dismissively, "I just... have trouble falling asleep with five people snoring", I tried to joke.

Newt frowned. 

"Stop doing that."

"Doing what?" 

He sighed, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Stop acting like everything is fine. I can clearly see it's not. You already lied back at the bonfire."

He gestured towards the dark silhouette of the leftovers from the mentioned fire. Then he turned back to me. 

"You keep zoning out and then pull jokes to cover up. Also, you're terrible at lying."

"Wow, thanks a lot", I couldn't help but smile, my voice filled with sarcasm.

"...And because I genuinely want to help you", he quietly added, not leaving the spot he was leaning on to.
"You know you don't have to tell me; that will always be your decision. But if you ever feel like you might need somebody to talk to, know that I'll always be there to listen"

I crossed my arms in front of my chest, mirroring his body language. I didn't want him to worry. 

Wasn't that reason enough to stay quiet? 

Take a deep breath.

Hiding wouldn't help. I knew enough to realize what horrible consequences miscommunication could have. 

Nodding to myself, I finally met his gaze.

"I think, I remember something."

The boy blinked in surprise.
"What? How?"

"I don't know!", I shrugged, frustrated at myself, "I just kind of...had a lucid dream or something"
"...But I wish I didn't", swallowing, I tried to shake off the invisible knot around my neck.

Newt's eyes softened, yet they held this clear spark of attention. He was listening.

"It started with a nightmare. Classic, of course", I laughed, my voice dripping with satire. 

"We were at the cliff...I wasn't strong enough to save Ben. That's why I thought I had to relive it all again. And when I accepted that everything was over, he... changed."

Dark dots danced in front my eyes. I had to blink before continuing. 

"He looked...dead. Like a body that hasn't had the chance to return to the earth yet... He pulled me off the cliff. Then I saw myself locked behind mirrors. But I changed too... until I wasn't myself, I-"

My voice was breaking. 

"I was a monster. There was... blood and it was dark and I was scared of... of myself!", I looked up into the dark blue sky, laughing at how ridiculous I sounded.

Tears started to roll down my cheeks. My breath was hitching, trying to huff away the emotion I so despised. 

"And then, there was this room. With this woman a-and Thomas. And he was talking to me, but not really me, it was rather... little Me and- and-..." 

With a surrendering sigh, I stopped speaking, knowing if I opened my mouth again I'd fully break down. 

The screams came back to my mind and the look of hurt and betrayal in the girl's expression burned in my chest.

I closed my eyes and shook my head, unconsciously tapping my fingers on my arm. I didn't want to see those things anymore.

It was quiet for a moment, then I felt two arms wrapping around me, pulling me into a hug.

I hesitated, tensing up for a second, but then I quickly returned the gesture. My body was shaking even more now. Newt carefully stroked my back, trying to calm me down.

"It's okay. I got you." 

My chest felt like bursting. Those two simple words almost made me break down. The feeling of having somebody who would stay there with me was so unfamiliar, but it wasn't until this moment I realised how much I had needed it. 

I buried my face in his shoulder, holding onto his hoodie like it was the only thing stopping me from slipping back into a nightmare. 

Newt just held me tight, whispering reassuring words of comfort.

His presence was slowly calming. My heart finally stopped racing and I embraced the feeling of safety. 

It was a nightmare, but it would be over now. Newt was there and that was enough to make a warm feeling grow inside my stomach.

I quietly let my tears flow, probably soaking his hoodie, but he stayed. He stayed with me until I finally relaxed my body.

"Thank you", I whispered after wiping my nose. I could see him smiling through the now pale darkness.

"Of course. I will always be there for you, okay? Don't suppress your feelings. That's not good for you."

He looked at me, his eyes scanning my face.

I nodded, blinking away a last salty tear. A soft smile formed across his expression.

His warm hands cupped my cheeks as he gently leaned his forehead against mine. That was something he always did. Just as a simple sign of care and comfort. 

"Great. Now, don't worry about the dream. We will find out what's happening okay? Together." 

I smiled back, then he stepped back, fidgeting at a loose strand on his hoodie.
"Try to get some rest."

We walked back to the shelters together, where our ways parted. 

"If you need anything, I probably won't be falling asleep anytime soon anyway", he quietly laughed to himself, before quickly giving my hand a small squeeze; Then he left.

Back at my hammock, I snuggled into my recollected blanket, a stupid grin fighting its way up my face. 

Faster than I would've thought, I had managed to fall asleep, forgetting about the nightmare.

There was a warm feeling in my stomach making the rest of the night comfortable. And the picture of a certain blond boy in my mind kept the bad memories away.   

A/N: Aww, chapter -what is this? Three?- and they already have a sweet moment. I know, I just couldn't wait any longer. 
Anyways, got any tHeOrIeS on what might happen now after her first ever dream? OoOH how very mysterious  👀
I was listening to the atsv and Hobbit soundtrack while rewriting this and it's become a core memory now.