Chapter - Three

Nightmare:

 Dread pitted in her stomach as they made their way up the walkway to the school. Entering through the gym her stomach knotted. She saw the hard stares of the cheerleaders. As she walked by they leaned in and whispered to each other. She used to be one of them. She was even going to college on a scholarship from cheerleading. She would go to practice every Monday, Wednesday and Friday with them. Laura and her would be in constant contact about new routines. She was one of the lead cheerleaders, they looked up to her. Cheerleading had been her life. She thought the squad were her friends but when her world crashed and burned they were the first to let her fall and drift away.

“Let's see how long she makes it today. Anyone want to place bets?” Laura giggled as Nora walked past.

“Wanna place bets how many football players smashed you…does the whole team count? You know what a cheerleader is right? You weren't supposed to cheer for the whole team….up by yourself.” Joel said stopping short and giving Laura a death stare.

Laura gasped as she tried to think of something clever to say back but Joel didn't have time to waste. He left her with her mouth hanging open as he pulled Nora along. He glanced down at Nora who was staring straight ahead. She was pretending she didn't hear any of what just took place. They left the gym and started down the hall. She didn't want to do this. She could already feel each person's eyes on her as she walked. She cringed seeing the guidance counselor up ahead Mrs. Jone. She tried to shrink away behind Joel but it was too late.

“Nora! Nora's sweet heart. Oh it is so good to see you at school!” Mrs. Jones said, rushing over to her.

“Hi Mrs. Jones.” Nora smiled weakly at her.

“Do you need anything? I have plenty of spots open today. Why don't you come by my office around 11 and we can catch up.” Mrs. Jones said to her casually like they were meeting up for drinks.

“Ok.” Nora said she was not going.

“All right you run along.” Mrs. Jone said excitedly, clasping her hands together as she spoke.

Joel was trying  his hardest not to laugh. Nora saw him and elbowed him in the stomach. She shot him a look as if to tell him that was enough. He chuckled but moved through the hall silently. Nora saw her first class coming up and frowned. She would need to leave Joel. She closed her eyes and told herself she could do this. She straightened herself out as they reached the door. Joel squeezed her arm slightly and she glanced over at him.

“You got this babe.” Joel said leaning forward and kissed her forehead lightly.

 Nora sighed and nodded. She wanted to. Deep way deep down inside she did want a way out of the darkness but it felt wrong sometimes. She watched Joel walk away in his white perfect t-shirt that he probably ironed this morning until he was gone. She dragged herself into the room, the room went silent as she walked in. She rolled her eyes as she made her way to the back corner and sat. The professor came in and began his lecture. His monotone voice echoed off the walls in the room as she zoned out. The professor's monotone voice was making her eyelids heavy. She rubbed her hand over her face trying to stay awake. She couldn't even focus on what he was teaching, his voice was so low and just sounded like a constant dull noise. She felt her head drop forward.

“Nora.” A faint whisper called to her, it was haunting but beautiful.

Nora lifted her head at the sound of the voice. It was familiar and warm. She rubbed her face trying to get herself to wake up. 

“Nora.” The voice called to her again.

“Hello?” Nora answered and forced her eyes open as she looked around.

She was leaning on her kitchen counter. She ran her hand over the granite. How? Did she make up going to school? Did Joel even come over? She thought as she began drumming her fingers on the counter.

“Nora.” The voice said urgently.

“Where are you? Who are you?” She called out in her kitchen.

“Nora, it's coming. You have to be prepared. When you turn twenty-one you will learn everything. You need to be ready. The world is not what it seems,” 

“What?” Nora asked, turning around and looking to where the sound was coming from.

“Mom?” Nora asked the woman standing inches from her.

The woman looked just like her. There was no way she was here. She wanted to reach out and touch her. Her long raven black hair flowed down around her and perfect waves. Her porcelain skin that made her perfect gray eyes stand out. She wanted to wrap her arms around her. She missed her so much.

“Nora, you need to be ready or they will find you.” She said as she stepped away.

“Mom, wait who? Don't go. Please:” Nora said, reaching out to her and starting to follow her.

“Nora, they'll find you and kill you if you're not careful.” 

Nora’s mother turned around, As she turned and finished her sentence her neck flayed open. Nora gasped backing away as a river of blood began pouring down the front of her. Images of that night began flashing in front of Nora’s eyes. The yellow door, the smell of blood, the tv static. Nora clutched her chest as she began to have trouble breathing.

“Nora, you need to make it to your birthday. Stop being so reckless.” Her mother said through the river of blood. 

“Hey.”

“Hey girl!”

“Hey, wake up!”

Nora bolted upright, her hand coming up swinging trying to push whatever was touching her away. Something caught her hand. Her cheeks wet with tears, she was shaking and breathing uncontrollably. She looked around wide-eyed. The room came into focus. Some boy was shaking her. She had never seen him before, she tried to calm herself looking at him. She frantically looked around the room. It was empty and everyone had cleared out. Nora tried to slow her breathing as she now began to panic more, realizing she had drifted off to sleep in class and had one of her nightmares. She pulled her hand away from the stranger and stood up slowly.

“Hey are you ok?” He asked concerned, his hand was still holding on to her shoulder.

“Yes.” She got out in between breaths.

“Are you sure?” He asked again, his dark brown eyes full of concern for her.

Nora shook her head, backing away from him. He had been kneeling next to her, his blond hair hanging down into his eyes. He stood up looking at her confused. Nora didn't say anything else but turned and left as quickly as she could.

“Hey let me walk you-” Nora could hear him attempt to say as her slow backing away turned into fleeing.

She found the bathroom as quickly as she could, praying no one was in there as she pushed open the door. She paused as she entered. Thank god she thought as she walked over to the sink. She turned on the water, cupping her hands and watched the water fill them. She splashed it over her face. Closing her eyes as the water dripped down them. She let out a long breath as she opened her eyes and looked into the mirror. She looked at herself. She studied her face. She looked very much like her mother. Long raven colored hair that flowed past her shoulders in perfect waves,  she had the same almond eye shape but she had her father’s honeycomb colored eyes. Unlike her more pure almost snowhwite skin, her skin was sunkissed like her fathers. It made the honey color in her eyes stand out even more. She hated looking in the mirror because she could see both of them in her and her heart ached.

She grabbed paper towels and patted her face dry. She thought about her nightmare. It was different. Normally it was just scenes from the night. She never had her mother come to her and speak to her like that. Why was she warning her? Why was her birthday so important? She sighed why was she giving any thought to her crazy dream. Dreams don't have answers in them. She thought grumbling as she threw the paper towel away. She glanced down at her watch. It was noon, how did she miss the whole day? Thank god she was halfway through the day. She glanced at the mirror telling herself she could do this. At least now she could meet up with Joel. She turned away from the mirror and began walking out of the bathroom.