Tick. Tick. Tick.

I place my stubby charcoal stick back on the easel and raise my hands overhead as I lean back in a full stretch. I rub my eyes with the back of my hands and yawn lightly.

The homework assignment on the study of eyes was a challenging one as we were tasked to draw at least twenty different expressions.

I stand up from my stool and grimace as my stiff lower back muscles complain.

I really should set an alarm next time.

Oh wait. I can’t because some idiot broke my phone.

I sigh and shake off the irritation.

I should just take a break.

It was always the same with me once I started on my artwork. It did not matter if it was a drawing, painting or even a doodle. Once I had started on something, I was always too absorbed in the process to stop. Often, it would be hours later when I would suddenly realise that I had only an hour or two left to sleep before school. While it made me highly productive, my muscles were always aching from being stuck in the same position for an extended period of time.

I walk over to my bedroom window and rest my elbows on the window sill. I stare out at the night sky and notice that a full moon is out. The glow of the moon is majestic and I feel myself relax. If only every night were as peaceful as this.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

What is that sound?

I turn around to stare at my empty room.

Is someone at my door? No, if it were Alba she would have just come in by now.

I strain my ears waiting for the sounds again.

Is it the neighbours upstairs?

Tap. Tap. Tap.

It sounds like a nail. A nail tapping against... glass?

I swing back round to face the window.

My breath stops and my blood runs cold. A pair of menacing hazel eyes shrouded in darkness stare straight back at me.

Crash!

The window panes shatter as the huge shadow crashes through grabbing my neck.

What the fuck is this? Another dream?

I quickly look down at my wrist and check for my watch. Not there.

“Let me g- ack.”

I choke on my words as the shadow squeezes hard. I feel my windpipe being crushed as I gasp for air.

No, even if this is just a dream, you don’t want to die like this, Lucine!

I pound on the shadow with balled fists and kick with all my might, but the stone-hard grip only tightens and I feel myself slowly being lifted off the ground. As my vision starts to fill with black I suddenly spot the craft scissors on my desk. I grab it and with all my strength, swing it down hard into the shadow gripping me.

A momentary release.

I break free and run for the door, but within two steps I feel myself being yanked back by my hair. The force then shifts and slams my head forward into the ground. Hard. I cry out in pain but that is all I can do as a massive weight settles on my back, preventing me from getting up.

A single nail, sharpened to a point, traces the line of my jaw.

“No!”

As the nail makes it way down the curve of my neck, the pressure increases. I feel the prick of my skin being sliced open and hot liquid trailing out. The weight on my back increases as the shadow leans down over me. A foul, hot breath blows into my ear, on my cheek, then finally my nose.

If you’re going to die, at least die with some dignity.

Don’t let the fucker enjoy this!

With what little bravado I have left, I will my eyes open and glare.

“I’ll fucking kill you.”

I stare as the pair of hazel eyes turn up in a devilish glint.

As the clouds in the sky part and red moonlight floods the room, my right eyelid is prised open. A single claw scrapes against the tear duct of my eye, then hovers. It plunges in.

“ARGHH!”

I feel the excruciating pain of what must be hell. But it doesn’t end there. I feel the claw bend and wriggle in my eye socket to hook around the bundle of nerves connected to my eyeball. I suck in a breath, praying, preparing. But nothing works. Then, I hear a snap and a loud, wet pop, as my eye is ripped from my face.

I scream in agony, willing myself to wake up or pass out, but neither mercy comes to me. With my remaining eye, I look on helplessly as the mess of of a bloody-gooey eyeball drops to the ground in front of me.

The stained ivory orb with its pale blue iris stares back at me mockingly.

“NOOOOOOOO!”

>>>>>>>>>>>

“Lu! Wake up!”

I jolted upright and looked around in a blind frenzy. It was pitch dark except for the light from the table lamp on my desk where I was sitting at. My mouth was cotton-dry and I was covered in cold sweat.

“Lu, it’s okay. I’m here.”

Alba was kneeling beside my chair, her warm eyes filled with worry.

Eyes.

I could hear my heart thumping in my ears as I brought my trembling hands up to my face and felt the fullness of my eye sockets.

Check for your watch.

I looked down at my wrist and saw the familiar brown band and gold metal rimmed face.

I’m back.

I choked on the tidal wave of emotions that suddenly gushed forth. It was as though the overwhelming relief had shook loose the restraints I had placed on all the fear that had been bottled up inside of me. The months of resisting and pushing down the terrors of my nightmares were threatening to consume me. My eyes watered and my breath shook.

“Lu, are you okay?”

Don’t Lucine. Be strong.

I swallowed hard and shut my eyes. I timed my breathing and let it fall into pace with the calming monotony of my ticking watch.

“Lu?”

I opened my eyes.

“I’m okay sis.”

Alba stared at me. Her hand reached up and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

“No... I don’t think you are.”

I couldn’t answer.

The silence stretched on as I fiddled with my watch.

“I’ll be okay.”

Alba took my clammy hands into hers and rubbed them gently.

“Yeah... You will be.”

I closed my eyes and leaned forward to rest my head on her shoulder. Her arms wrapped around my shoulders lovingly and held me.

Alba’s comforting warmth slowly thawed the chill in my body but the greatest of my fears silently lingered in my frozen heart.

What if one day I don’t wake up?

What if... what if these nightmares never end?