You know that sensation of falling in your sleep? Multiply it four times, to accurately describe Lillian's present situation. It would sound funny, if it were restricted to just being a feeling, and not reality.

A loud gasp escaped her lips as her eyes flew open, and she found herself falling down from God knew where. She twisted and turned frantically in midair, trying to scream out loud. But her mouth only opened in silence. It was like watching a movie on a poor quality server, where the audio always lagged behind the the character's dialogue. A moment later, Lillian could hear the terrifying screech she could only identify as her very own scream.

The air slapped wildy against her face, her dark hair obstructing her view. The environment around her was just as dark and gloomy, and it almost felt like she was falling down a hole. But just then, she was proved wrong. A flash of white light blinded her for merely three seconds, before her vision adjusted to the night time city towards which she was hurtling at top speed. Again, only a terrifying, helpless scream escaped her throat.

A sensation of butterflies fluttering on a terribly large scale emerged in her stomach, making her overly nauseous. She closed her eyes tight in frantic fear, waiting for the inevitable to take place. And then, she hit the ground. Lillian waited for the strong impact to jolt her body with unbearable pain and numerous broken bones. Instead, only a familiar ache of being pushed really hard towards the ground spread across the limbs.

Not that it didn't hurt, but it was far less than what Lillian had been expecting.

'Oh god——' she groaned as she slowly sat up.

She tried to get up on her feet, and was successful after a little bit of staggering and stumbling. Lillian dusted off her clothes, and hands and looked around. The spot on which she had landed had made the ground around it crack, literally. It was almost like someone had thrown the Hulk  there. She looked up, only to find a city, very much intact and normal looking. The street lights were on, buildings surrounded her, shops and boutiques having signs say "OPEN", it was all normal.

Except, there was not a single soul in sight. Not even one. Lillian could literally hear the soft rattling of an umbrella rod over a table in a restaurant nearby as the wind shook it slowly. It was all so weird.

'I want to wake up from this dream already.' she murmured to herself.

'I'm afraid that's not how this works, Miss Jones,' a melodious voice interrupted.

Lillian nearly jumped, as she turned around to face the owner of the voice. She was left astonished, for a woman of utmost beauty stood before her, a smile not so genuine plastered on her flawless face. Her skin was so white, maybe whiter than snow, and lips so red they look like blood itself, and hair, oh her hair was darker than night itself. A fine and sculpted face like hers would take away the breath of anyone who set their eyes on her.

But what caught Lillian's attention the most, and, caused slight fear and nervousness were her glowing, red, ember irises. Her eyes were like glowing red flames. Lillian continued to gape at her shamelessly, until the woman cleared her throat.

'Uhh, yeah. Who are you?' Lillian asked, snapping out of her daze.

The woman showed a sudden expression of amusement.

'Finally, you're getting to the point! I think I'm starting to like you,' she cheered.

Lillian blinked at her, unsure of what to say or do. But to her relief, the woman had more to speak.

'My name is Esmeralda Black. You have entered my territory. So, I'm afraid you can't leave until I say so,' she said.

Lillian frowned at her words. 'Umm, okay—where is "your territory"? Besides, I didn't end up here on purpose it's just my stupid brain that makes up all my—'

'Tis not a dream, Miss Jones.' Esmeralda interrupted.

Lillian stopped and stared at her blankly. This was certainly a new thing in her dreams. Not that her dreams weren't ever bizarre. This one might just top the list.

'Look here now, Esme—'

'I welcome you to Spectre, Lillian Jones. You can't leave till you faced them. You WILL NOT leave till you've faced them!' Esmeralda bellowed, her was loud and echoing.

Lillian staggered backwards in surprise. She clearly wasn't expecting this. Then again, she didn't know what to expect.

'Faced—faced who?' Lillian asked slowly.

Oh how she wished she hadn't asked. Esmeralda's face upturned to a smile that was absolutely abnormal for a human face, and her eyes literally fired up in red flames. And all Lillian could do was take a few slow steps backwards, and try hard not to scream again.

Esmeralda leaned close towards Lillian, who was unable to move again even on trying. It was as if the demonic woman had a hold on her. Esmeralda leaned near her ear whispered.

'Your fears.'

Lillian shuddered as her breath stung her skin. It was so cold. Esmeralda moved away, and right then, turned into black smoke and disappeared. Just poof!. Now she stood all alone, having no idea what to do or where to go. If Esmeralda was right about her fears....

'No, Lillian it's just a stupid dream! Get a grip,' she scolded herself.

But she couldn't shake off the feeling of fear and dread that made her heart heavy, and hammering wildly against her chest. She drew in deep breaths, and then decided to walk around. What more could she do? She looked around to decide which way to go. Instead, the next minute she blinked everything around her changed. For the worse.

It was dark, and Lillian had a feeling she wasn't outdoors anymore. She found herself sitting, and ran her hands around to feel the item she was sitting on. It seemed to be a bed. She further ran her hands along the side, only to find a bedside chest of drawers. Relying on her sense of touch, she opened it and felt for something that might be of any use to her. Lillian almost squealed as she found something that felt like a flashlight.

She immediately took it, and switched it on. The dim beam hit the walls, which to her horror were stained with blood. Lillian clapped her mouth shut, trying hard not to make any noise. She shone the light on the bed she was sitting on, and saw something.

Lillian screamed and cried as she got up and took quick steps away from the bed. She tried to keep herself from throwing up. A body, covered in blood lay there, its head turned in Lillian's direction. Its eyes had been hollowed out, and the mouth, pulled and stitched into a wide, soul less grin. Lillian gagged, as all of a sudden the smell of rotting flesh and blood hit her nostrils. It was a man's body, judging from the tattered remains of his faded, bloody, blue button shirt.

Lillian's hands shivered, and she tried to look away from the bed. She shone the torch on the other side of the room, and found the door. But it wasn't any good. She hesitated to move past the bed. It was a dream. Anything could happen. But it didn't mean it would be any less scarier. Lillian shone the light on the bed again, for some reason she didn't know. And then she wasn't sure if she wished hadn't shone it. Lillian covered her face out of terror instantly.

The body was gone.

Lillian let out a terrified scream.

Hey there dear folks! And finally, things have begun! Stuff's gonna happen, lots of laughter, crying, screaming, and many other things gonna happen! So, I advise you to be absolutely prepared for the worst. To be honest I scare the hell out of myself while writing my own chapters sometimes. ;)

Anywho, so let me know what you think about the chapter!

Don't forget to hit that little 🌟 and comment your thoughts 🗨 and share 📮 this story with others to enjoy too!

Until next time,
Byeee!