I wake up the next morning and bite back a scream. My nightmares are getting worse. These are different, though. Instead of me walking through the graveyard, I'm being chased through the woods. Every time I start to slow down, a hiss behind me gives me a burst of energy.

I'm so frantic, I don't notice the branch in front of me until it's too late. I cry out as I trip, falling hard onto the ground.

The hissing sounds again, closer this time. Turning around, I am horrified to recognise the vampire in front of me. Tara. She glares down at me, her eyes an unfamiliar blue-gold colour, then pins my arms to my sides.

I whimper, turning my head to the side. "Tara, please. You don't want to do this. It's me, Bella. Your friend. I know you're in there. Please." Tara hisses again, her fangs glinting in the moonlight.

The world blurs as Tara sinks her teeth into my neck. A bloodcurdling scream erupts from me as my vision slowly fades to black.

I shake my head, turning off my alarm before climbing out of bed. For a minute, I contemplate faking sick so I could stay home from school. But I know I can't. I get dressed, then walk downstairs, grabbing my bag before heading to school.

My heart races as I walk to school. As I walk inside, I scan the hallway and am relieved when I don't see Tara. I honestly don't know if I can face her today.

The bell rings and I walk to class, clutching my necklace. "Bella!" I stop dead as I hear a familiar voice, then quickly run into class. My head spins as I take my seat, forcing me to pause.

Tara takes a seat beside me and I flinch. "Is everything okay?" She asks.

"Yeah, everything's fine," I reply, avoiding her gaze. Putting a hand on my arm, she looks at me. Instead of Tara, all I see when I look at her is the creature I saw last night in my nightmare.

Panting, I jerk my arm away, running to the bathroom and splashing water on my face with trembling hands.

A few minutes later, I hear the door open and fear floods my veins. Tara walks in and glances at me. "What's wrong?"

I shake my head, tears welling up in my eyes. "I had a nightmare last night. It was by far the worst nightmare I've ever had. I was running through the forest when I heard hissing behind me. I ran faster, but I wasn't looking where I was going and tripped."

I have to swallow past the lump in my throat before continuing. "As I rolled onto my back, I saw you. It was weird, though. I almost didn't recognise you. Your eyes were this blue-gold colour. Then you pinned my arms to my sides and bit me. I lost consciousness soon after."

Tara's face is white when I finish speaking. "I... I'm so sorry."

I shake my head. "I'm probably just overreacting, but after everything I've been through recently, I'm a little paranoid. I know you'd never do anything to hurt me." I put my hand on hers, squeezing it. She smiles and I smile back.

After school, I head home, dreading the pile of homework on my desk. Hours later, I finish my last sheet of homework, then collapse on my bed, falling asleep before my head hits the pillow.

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