I felt the tip of a knife running down the side of my face while I heard the cackling laughter of a twisted woman. She moved to stand in front of me and I couldn't see the face of my tormentor clearly. It looked like my tv, static.

I could feel the tip of the knife dig into my jugular vein as the knife pierced my skin. This was personal. It wasn't a quick kill but it was slow and filled with torture.

I watched the man across the room struggle for his life as he lay in a small pool of blood.

Seeing the man heaving on the floor and spitting up blood drove me to the edge that someone hurt him. Something in me had enough and I kicked the woman in the stomach having her hunch over.

I lifted my hand to the table I was lying next to and searched with my hand for something I could use as a weapon. Finding something, I grabbed onto it and shattered a vase on the deranged woman's head causing her to fall to the ground.

I crawled over to the man and I turned him over so he wouldn't drown in his own blood. When he looked up at me I was met with an all familiar pair of blue eyes. It was Nick.

Nick?

Before my brain could comprehend what was happening I heard screaming coming from behind me.
"Watch out," Nick screamed and before I turned around I felt something pierce my back and I fell flat to the ground and was once again welcomed into a black mass of nothingness.

I jolted up from my bed and ran to the bathroom. My stomach churned and I felt sick. It's like I could smell the blood in the air. I fell to the floor before I began to violently vomit into the toilet. The muscles in my stomach clenched. My body was covered in a cold sweat and I heaved for oxygen as I tried to control my breathing.

After I was done, I stood up. My legs were wobbling like they were going to give out from under me. I held onto the bathroom sink to stabilize myself. I reached for my toothbrush and began brushing my teeth.

I started to come back to my senses I remembered the face I saw in my dream. It was as clear as day and I was a hundred percent sure it was Nick. I haven't dreamt of the people in my life before.

I ran a hand down my face as I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. My face was pale and dark circles surrounded my drooping eyes. I was tired. Not like normal tiredness but deeper. I felt this tiredness on the inside. There was this frustration and I didn't understand what was happening to me.

I was afraid that I saw Nick's face. It gave me an unsettling feeling. The hair on my body stood and in my head, I kept on repeating the words it was just a dream over and over like a mantra, hoping it would calm me down. 

Nick. Why did I dream about Nick. I met him six days ago. Why didn't I dream about someone like Ben or my family. Why Nick. A stranger I barely knew but was infatuated with.

I stayed up till morning writing down in my journal. The image of the dream was clear. I wrote down my surroundings and then I saved Nick's face for last.

What was my subconscious telling me about Nick?  I underlined the words in my journal.

Was it trying to tell me something by letting him slip into my horrific nightmares. I sighed. This disturbed me on a deeper level. I didn't like seeing Nick die in my dreams. It was more unsettling than watching myself being murdered.

I watched the sun begin to rise, peeking over the rooftops of New York's buildings. I let out a breath as the first light of the sun rays hit my face. I didn't know where to start anymore. I was no closer to figuring out what was wrong with me since the first time the nightmares started coming.

I did my research about dreams but nothing made sense people who dreamed about death, surely didn't dream of themselves getting brutally murdered.

Maybe my mother was right about me being alone while I had these nightmares.

****

I put my hair in a high ponytail and then moved to get a pair of black stiletto's from my closet. I heard my apartment door open and paid no attention. I knew it was Ben. "You early," I said and then I heard a low whistle. "And you brought your pet," I mumbled under my breath. I turned around to find Zane standing next to Ben with a broad smile on his face.

"You sound jealous sweetness. I could be your pet if you'd like," Zane smirked.

I sighed and began looking for my jacket. "I'm sorry I don't have a cage big enough to fit you and your ego."

"Ouch scorned by my love." He held onto his chest.

"Not your love Nick's love," Ben laughed and my cheeks heated, but then my stomach churned once again. As much as I tried to distract myself I couldn't get the image of Nick's bloody and battered body out of my head.

"Seriously Ben!" I growled in frustration.

Zane stood up straight. "Who is this Nicolas fellow!" He questioned in a funny voice. "And what does he have that I don't?"

I glowered at Ben. "See what you did now."

"I wanted to see what happened," Ben laughed.

"My baby loves someone else," Zane said in a high pitched voice and Ben tried hard to hold back his laughter. "I should have bought you flowers and held your hand. Should have gave you all my hours when I had the chance. Take you to every party because all you wanted to do was dance. Now my baby is dancing but she's dancing with another man," Zane clutched his heart dramatically as he sang Bruno Mars when I was your man.

"Urgh," I held onto my head. "Are you happy now?" I asked Ben and he held onto his stomach as he laughed mercilessly.

Zane's singing still hadn't seized and he was giving me a headache with his nonsense. I already was plagued by so many thoughts and I was also worried about making a fool of myself at the office party. I was downright weird and was going to be in a room filled with professionals. It was a recipe for disaster and I couldn't get my nerves under control. Everything was becoming too much and all the thoughts in my head were rising to the surface all demanding my attention.

"Hey shut it," I told Zane and he went silent. It wasn't his fault I was already frustrated.

"Fine," Zane pulled his face like a child. "I refuse to talk to you," he folded his arms. "You broke my heart." He went over to my bed and sat down facing the window.

"Thanks for that," I glowered at Ben.

"At least I got him to stop flirting with you," Ben said in a look on the plus side tone of voice and I stared at Zane's back. "Val is everything okay?" Ben asked, taking in my mood and jittery behavior.

"Just nerves Ben. Nothing to worry about." Nothing for him to worry about. This was my subconscious. My twisted mind. The only person I was going to share this with was Julia. She was getting paid to hear my torment after all.

I got my bag and took one last look in the mirror before exiting the apartment with Ben and Zane. I sat in the front seat of the car and Zane sat at the back, making no noise and pretending I didn't exist.

For the first time since I met Zane, he remained silent. "This is the longest you have ever been quiet," Ben noticed and looked up at Zane through the car's review mirror. Zane didn't answer but he folded his arms and pouted. "You can't be serious," Ben rolled his eyes.

"Oh I'm serious," Zane huffed.

"What did you expect Zane because she said no to you she would say no to every other guy that approached her," Ben quirked an eyebrow at his unreasonable overly dramatic friend.

Minutes later, Ben parked the car outside the grey building and I got out. "Thank you Ben and bye Mr. Grumpy pants," I rolled my eyes at Zane who still refused to look in my direction but I wasn't complaining. It would be good to have the monkey off my back for a few days.

I turned to face the giant luxurious building. It seemed all the more intimidating at night with the hustling city as its backdrop. I gulped in nervousness as I thought about all the people that were going to be attending the event.

Just some important people in the publishing business. I was a new writer looking to make a good impression and quick connections so that I could kick start my career. No pressure. If all else failed I'd just be Camilla's assistant till the day I die.

Okay, Val calm.

I inhaled and exhaled before walking into the building. I walked into the building and was greeted by a woman wearing a long silver dress. She had what looked like champagne flutes next to her on a small round table and a bottle in a silver bucket filled with ice.

"Champagne," she offered me a glass which I eagerly took throwing my head back and drinking it all in one go as if it were water. "Oh-" she gasped looking at me in shock for my lack of decorum.

"Thank you," I smiled sheepishly.

"Another?"

"I really shouldn't," I told her.

"Okay, the party is on the fifth floor. Please enjoy mam."

"Thank you."

I took the elevator up to the fifth floor. The doors parted and I stepped out to see men and women dressed in fancy clothes talking amongst themselves while music played in the background. The room was decorated in a very clean theme of white, silver, and red. There was a drinks table against the wall and a small stage in the front of the room.

"Val," Camilla called and I looked up to see her standing next to Jack Bryce, the editor of the laugh category of the magazine. 

Camilla began walking over to me. She was dressed in a white strapless dress. Her blonde shiny hair was curled and bunched to the side of her face. She matched her white elegant, floor-length dress with a pair of bright red heels. Her make up immaculately done. I wondered how she managed to get both the wings of her eyeliner even on her eyes. That was impossible for me to do with my shaky hands. "You look beautiful," she complimented.

"Thank you, so do you."

She draped her arm over my shoulders and began leading me to Jack Bryce. "Oh have you met the editor of the laugh category of the magazine as yet?" She asked while walking me towards him. He was dressed in a black Armani suit and his hair was combed back. "Jack this is Valerie Hudson, my new assistant," Camilla introduced.

"Jack Bryce, how do you do Miss Hudson?" He smiled extending a hand for me to shake. He was a very handsome man most of the people that worked here were very good looking. "You shake that Miss Hudson," he chuckled. He had a shit-eating grin plastered on his face and his grey eyes danced in humor as I flushed. I quickly clasped his hand in a firm all business handshake and he smiled. "I like her Camilla maybe we should switch assistants."

He spoke as if I was an office supply and not a person. Maybe a stapler and Camilla would just trade with him. "Oh no Jack this one is a gem. I wouldn't trade her."

Again talking as if I'm not a person. I grumbled on the inside but kept a smile on my face. This is how it was going to be until I worked my way up. Undermined by my peers.

"Champagne miss?" Another lady dressed in a silvery dress asked and I gladly accepted.

For the nerves.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Nick watching me. He casually turned his eyes away from me and continued his conversation with an elderly gentleman with all white hair.

I looked away immediately but I couldn't help the slight blush that would soon tint my cheeks. "So Camilla tells me you a writer," Jack said demanding my attention.

"Yes," I answered shortly and looked back at Nick just in time to see him go out through a set of double doors.

"Have you written anything that got published?" Jack's persistence for undivided attention had no bounds.

I turned my eyes back to him."Depends. I've written for my high school paper and college paper." Having enough of Mr. Bryce and Camilla I decided to excuse myself. "Excuse me," I smiled pleasantly and without command, my feet began moving to the set of double doors Nick went out.

I was a moth to a flame.

I walked out the door to see Nick standing next to the railing, overlooking the city. His muscles were tensed as he gripped onto the railing and his jaw was clenched. He looked up at the night sky as if he were angry at the stars and the moon. There was something longing in his eyes as he searched the sky, almost like he was looking for answers.

I glanced up at the sky out of instinct and it was a perfect night. Full of twinkling stars and a half-moon. It was beautiful and I couldn't understand why Nick looked angrily up at it.

"It's nice out here," I spoke, making my presence known and Nick turned to face me. His face cracked in a small smile but it was distant. I didn't know what fueled me but it came out as if on instinct and I took a step towards him. He flinched away from me, taking a step back and keeping the distance between us.

"El- Val," he stuttered and the wind blew my hair back as tiny goosebumps formed on my bare skin. Nick swallowed hard as he stared at me. He let out a burdened breath and looked back up at the night sky. His face hardening again as he glared at the sky. He looked back down at me with his face hard and his eyes cold. "What are you doing out here?" He asked. The tone in his voice took me by surprise and my eyebrows furrowed. Did I say something to offend him."Why is it that you followed me out here?"

Having enough and finding my voice I decided to speak. "What are you-"

"I see the way you look at me. It's pathetic." He looked away from me briefly. "Do you think I would be interested in an assistant?" All the blood drained from my face and I gawked at him in disbelief. "I want to be alone. Leave me alone," he said turning to look at me. His eyes were hard and filled with anger. "Go," he demanded.

I stared at him in shock. I couldn't believe he was saying all these things to me. I didn't know what to say so I immediately left. What was his problem?

The way I look at him. He's the one that's always stared at me and now he is acting as if the banter between us was only one-sided. I rushed towards the elevator and pressed the button impatiently. I needed to leave.

I felt worse than when my ex dumped me. I felt like my heart fell out of my chest and Nick danced on it. I couldn't believe it. If he was having a shitty day he didn't have to take it out on me. The lift doors finally parted and I stepped into it pressing the button for the ground floor.

The elevator went down and the doors dinged open. I rushed out almost tripping. I walked past the lady in the silver dress who offered me the champagne and she looked at me in concern. "Leaving so soon mam?" She asked. "Champagne?"

I took the entire bottle of champagne out of the bucket. "Thank you," I smiled and the woman looked like she wanted to laugh. She didn't protest or stop me but let me go.

I took a cab home. I didn't want to call Ben. He would instantly know that something was wrong and I didn't want him to know that Nick told me he would never be interested in me. It hurt just thinking about it and I wanted nothing more than to go to my apartment and wallow in my own self-pity.

You were mesmerized by a flame and it burned you little moth.

*******************************************

A/N

Well, that was cold. I wonder what's bothering Nick so much. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Please vote comment and recommend to your fellow wattpadians.

And why do you think Nick's behavior suddenly changed?

P. A💜