â Q U I N N â
Like tiny storms, nightmares are quiet whispers of the chaos we push away when daylight holds us safe. They show that even in the deepest silence, our fears know how to find their voice. They remind us that fear is never far; it hides in the corners of our mind, waiting for the dark. But the most frightening nightmares aren't the ones that visit us in sleepâthey're the ones we face in the waking world when we let fear run our lives.
The true terror isn't always what you see when your eyes are closedâit's the silence that greets you when you wake, that heavy, unsettling quiet where the echo of your fear still thrums deep in your bones. These nightmares are the ones that sit on the thin line between sleep and waking, where reality blurs with the shadows of your mind. They don't vanish with the morning light; they cling to you, wrapping around your heart and whispering reminders of the fears you try so hard to lock away.
In these moments, you realize that the monsters lurking in your dreams are only as powerful as the fear you feed them. They become real, in their own way. Because, as the darkness fades and the world comes back into focus, you know this truth: monsters and ghosts aren't just creatures of the night. They live inside us, buried deep, and sometimes, they find a way to rise to the surface and win.
"Do it again, Jacoby," Papa's voice cut through the room, his voice low and serious. His eyes were dark, as dark as the storm cloud etched on his face.
I glanced back at Mama, her cheeks wet with silent tears. She looked at me, lips trembling, but each time she tried to speak, Papa's glare stopped her words mid-breath. And every time she tried to speak, Papa's gaze widened, filled with something I couldn't quite place.
"You want to hear how much she loves you, don't you? Do it again, Jacoby." Papa was right; Mama had said those words to me many times before. I nodded, looking down at my thighs, and slid the edge of the paper against my skin once more. The sting was sharp, but I didn't care. Lifting my head, I looked at Mama again. She looked so sad, so hurt, yet she was smiling.
"I love you, By," Mama said softly. My heart swelled with happiness.
Hearing her say those words felt amazing, like a warm blanket wrapping around me. The pain on my thighs faded into the background as I focused on her voice. Papa approached me, handing me a few more small pieces of paper. His eyes, a strange mix of red and gray, looked frightening. I took the pieces, not waiting for his next command. I pressed the paper to my skin again, and Mama continued to say, "I love you."
Papa laughed beside me. "See? I told you, Jacoby. Mama wants this from you. You keep doing that, and she'll keep telling you she loves you." I nodded, believing him completely.
The sound of the train passing by jolted me awake, and I was grateful for it. I was drenched in sweat, my heart racing painfully in my chest. I poured myself a glass of water from the pitcher on the motel's table, my throat feeling parched. After gulping it down, I let out a deep, heavy sigh, focusing on steadying my breath.
I opened the curtains, and the view outside was breathtakingâalmost like something out of a fantasy. Mountains towered in the distance, trees swayed gently in the breeze, and fields stretched out in vibrant greens. It was a sight that could calm anyoneâexcept me, not with the whirlwind of thoughts in my head. Tears brimmed in my eyes, and I couldn't hold them back any longer. My chest felt tight, as if it would burst if I tried to keep everything inside.
"I miss you, Chloe," I whispered, feeling the ache in my heart grow stronger with each passing second. It was a weight that never lifted, dragging me down deeper, as if I were being pulled underground.
"I'm sorry. I need to do this." My tears fell freely now. It felt like I was dying inside, but I knew I had to go through with it. I couldn't hurt her like that again. I wouldn't let her hurt herself either.
"Fuck! This is so freaking painful already." I muttered to myself, grabbing my backpack and heading down to check out of the motel. Each step felt heavy as I walked, my mind clouded and overwhelmed. I couldn't think straight; it was like a fog had settled in my brain. I had no idea where I was going, but I just kept moving forward, one foot in front of the other.
â C H L O E â
The scariest nightmares are the ones that make you wonder if you're really asleep or if you're awake. It's not just the nightmare itself that frightens us; it's the truths we discover when we wake up. Nightmares are echoes of our deepest fears, amplified in the stillness of sleep. They don't just haunt your nights; they linger in the daylight, casting shadows over your hopes and dreams. Unlike regular dreams, they leave behind footprints that follow you long after you open your eyes.
Sometimes, the only way to escape a nightmare is to confront it. You have to realize that even in your dreams, you hold the power to fight back.
I had been walking in this park for what felt like an eternity. All I knew was that I needed this walkâto breathe in some fresh air and clear my mind. Around me, people seemed to be enjoying their day. Families were having picnics, some were playing catch with their pets, and others simply lay on the grass, watching the clear sky and relaxing with someone special. It was a heartwarming sight, and I couldn't help but smile at their happiness.
I continued to walk, letting my feet take me wherever they pleased. The park was peaceful and comforting, and I felt a sense of calm wash over me. But then, suddenly, I froze. My legs refused to move another step. In the distance, I saw herâQuinn. She was standing there, looking right at me.
"Quinn..." I whispered her name, but it barely escaped my lips. She just continued to gaze at me.
I slowly took a step forward, moving one foot in front of the other. As I approached her, I could see her smiling. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach, and I couldn't help but smile back. Tears filled my eyes as I walked closer, eager to reach her. But as I stood in front of her, she remained silent.
"Quinn..." I called her name again, this time louder, so we could both hear. "Where have you been? I missed you." She didn't answer, but her calm expression was reassuring. Her eyes sparkled with light, showing no signs of pain, sadness, or fear. "Don't leave like that again, okay?" I pleaded, but she simply kept her eyes on me, unmoving and silent.
"Quinn, are you okay?" I kept asking, but her silence was deafening. No response, just that calm smile on her face.
I moved even closer, desperate for a connection. Slowly, I reached out for her hand, but to my shock, I felt nothingâliterally nothing. There was no warmth, no texture, just emptiness. My heart raced as I watched in horror as her fingers began to fade, dissolving like ashes blown away by the wind. It started with her hand, but soon the rest of her body followed suit.
Fear gripped me tightly as I stared at her, my eyes wide in disbelief. But despite the terrifying transformation, her smile remained unchanged.
"Quinn?" I called her name again, my voice shaking with panic. What is happening?! My mind screamed as I watched her vanish before my eyes.
"Quinn! No, don't!" I shouted, my voice rising in desperation, but it felt like she couldn't hear me. No! This can't be happening!
"Quinn, no. Please!" I shouted as my body jolted awake, instinctively sitting up in bed. My heart raced wildly, and my breath came in quick gasps. I clutched my chest, feeling as though a sharp knife had plunged into me. Tears streamed down my face as I realized I was having the same nightmare again. For weeks now, this haunting dream had become my reality, and part of me wished I could just stay in that nightmareâbecause now, the only place I could see her was in my dreams, those nightmares.
We still hadn't heard anything about Quinn. Elise was worried too; she and Oliver had reported her missing to the police, but there was still no news. My mom had even reached out to her colleagues to see if Quinn had contacted any other psychiatrists. But all our efforts seemed to be in vain. Quinn was nowhere to be found.
I slowly opened the door and stepped out of the kitchen, where Elise stood behind the coffee counter, pouring herself a cup. She glanced up as I walked in, a look of concern crossing her face. Yes, I had been staying in their dormitory, sleeping in Quinn's room. It felt more comforting to be in her space than my own. I needed to be close to her, hoping that one day she would just walk through the door. I didn't want to be alone; Elise understood what I was going through, and having her nearby helped ease the heavy weight in my heart.
"Chloe?" Elise's voice pulled me back to reality. I had been zoning out again, lost in my thoughts. I looked at her, still standing behind the kitchen counter.
"Do you want some coffee?" she asked, her tone warm and inviting.
I nodded, managing a half-smile as I walked over to the counter. "Yes, please."
"Bad dream again?" she inquired, sliding a steaming coffee mug in front of me. She must have heard me shouting earlier. I simply nodded, keeping my gaze down. I felt if I looked at her, I would break down in tears again.
"We're going to keep looking, Chloe," Elise said softly, her voice filled with reassurance. I could tell she cared about Quinn just as much as I did, and that made me feel a little less alone in this uncertainty.
"Yeah, we will, Elise. No matter how long it takes. I won't stop looking for Quinn." The tears I had been holding back started to flow again as I spoke those words. I felt Elise's hand on mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
I won't stop until I find Quinn.