My dreams are haunted by the "Black Fury." As scared as I was by it, I was glad to be able to put a name to it finally. I'm walking down the same hallway, and as I pass by one of the doors, I hear screaming. I press my ear against the door, then jump back as something slams into the door. My hand shaking, I try the doorknob. To my surprise, it's unlocked.

I walk inside and stop in my tracks, a sob escaping me. A dark-haired man is on the ground, his skin grey. James. A growl sounds from behind me, and I turn around, my body going rigid. The Black Fury stands inches from me, its putrid breath making my eyes water. Anger replaces my fear.

"What did you do to him?" I shout.

The Black Fury walks over to his body, then glances pointedly at me. I know I have no choice but to follow. I walk over to him and gasp.

A significant red mark covers James's wrist. As I look closer, I realize it's glowing. Grabbing his arm, I gently touch the mark. Red-hot pain shoots through my arm as an identical mark appears on my wrist. I back away from James, my arm throbbing.

The Black Fury suddenly appears behind me, smiling cruelly. Before I can blink, he grabs me by the arm and drags me away. The pain is so bad, I can't move. I see the corners of my vision fade, and then darkness overtakes me.

I woke up moments later to my alarm clock blaring. Glancing at my phone, I sighed as I saw the time. 7:30 A.M. I got dressed before walking down to breakfast. My head throbbed as I struggled to make sense of my nightmare.

I grabbed an apple, then quickly put it back on the shelf. One glance at the apple was all it took to realize that I wouldn't be eating much again today.

"Hey, sweetie." Mom's voice startled me, and I flinched.

I whirled around. "Hey."

She walked over to me and then gasped as she saw my wrist. "What happened?"

I glanced at my wrist, confused until I saw the red mark. Visions of my nightmare flashed through my head. "I tripped as I was getting dressed this morning," I replied quickly.

Grabbing my bag, I hugged my mom before heading to school. I knew I should tell her what was happening; I didn't know how.

Naomi greeted me at my locker, smiling. "Hey."

A paper-thin smile appeared on my face as I opened my locker. "Hey," I replied. Red-hot pain again shot through my arm, and I winced, my body tensing. The bell rang, and Naomi inclined her head to the classroom. "Save me a seat," I said before entering the bathroom. She nodded and walked into the classroom.

After checking to make sure I was alone, I pulled up my shirt sleeve, wincing. The mark was still there. I gingerly touched it, tears springing to my eyes. The warning bell rang, and I quickly pulled my sleeve down, wiping my face before heading to class.

"You okay?" Naomi whispered as I sat down. I nodded, that paper-thin smile again springing to my face. Paying attention in class was all but impossible. Before I knew it, I had finished my last class and was headed home.

Heavy exhaustion settled over me as I walked inside the house, my arm throbbing. I hugged Mom and James before heading to my room. I collapsed on my bed, sleep claiming me before my head hit the pillow.

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