Cold Wakes

I have never felt so tired in my life catching the bus. I think it was the lack of sleep. Clenching my fist to stay awake from the cool breeze gracing my face, I closed my eyes helplessly, bracing my neck on the seat behind me. Suddenly, I felt a whisper in my ear calling my name. I jolted immediately and saw that I was alone on the bus. The place had grown colder, and I felt the bus still moving even though no one occupied the driver's seat. I rushed to the door, pulling at the handle to open the door, but nothing was working. Even kicking it wasn't working.

Suddenly, the whisper came once more into my ears, closer. A frigid breath made goosebumps rise at the back of my neck. A long black shadow blocked my view, and I felt paralyzed. Its teeth rained blood, and its claws were together, clasping, and moving as though it knew something that I don't.

"Such naivety," rasped the voice, matching the movement of the shadow. It circled me in a mist, and it watched my movements, matching him like a hawk. Its body was slender, like a dark robe draping around him. The bottom looked torn and tattered, yet elegant, as though they made it in such a way. It had a distinct face that no person should ever look at. Even someone's worst nightmares would not conjure a face like this for someone with normalcy. It had no shape for its face, just piercing red eyes, and a morass mouth filled with wine-red blood going on black.

"What are you?" I cried, frightened to look up at him anymore. I had not fallen to my feet, but I could feel my eyes not wanting to move away from looking at such a horrid face. What does that make me? I screamed in my head. My mind seems to go daft, and my body froze with the monster's aura it possesses.

Its teeth bared, more blood as though there was fresh prey in his mouth. It seethes at me as though anytime it would pounce. It laughed maniacally, and its claws trailed up and down my arms, goosebumps lingering tortuously as it touches my skin. His circling did not stop. Instead, he paced speedily like a whirlwind around me, wanting to enact dominance over my mind and body. He convinced my mind that I was going crazy. It compelled my body not to move, even though I wanted to get out of his hold badly.

"You would know in time. Too bad it's time to wake up," he said, gurgling blood in his mouth, and finally, he pounced on me, wrapping his mist around my arms and torso, enfolding me in darkness.

Gasping for breath, I woke with a scream and panting hard. My skin was in a cold sweat, and I felt soft fabrics under my gripping fists. My head was pounding, and I still haven't found a steady breath. The tears trickled down my face, and I huddled with shaking shoulders, stifling my loud cries between my knees. What horrors I am facing when I am asleep? What does it mean?

I grabbed a piece of paper and sketched what I dreamt. The sketch was wiggly with lines, but it was good enough to see the devious face between the scratches. I remembered the blood dripping and how tense and soft the whisper was, so close to my ears, beckoning me. My heart was pounding, and I was shaking, rocking myself back and forth to calm myself down, yet nothing seems to work. How did I even get home? The thought suddenly struck me.

I remembered closing my eyes, but nothing about how I got home and on my bed. Finally, my bed dipped, and a warm hand gently touched my own. Flinching away from the sudden contact, I looked up with teary eyes and probably messy hair, too. Looking back at me were a pair of brown eyes matching my own. Mom.

"Oh baby, another nightmare, is it?" She asked gently in her calm tone. Knowing Mom, she must think not to scare me too much.

I held my head down, and I whispered shakily to her, "It won't go away. It is just one thing or the other. I can hardly sleep peacefully these days." I curled my legs one on top of the other and twitched my fingers.

Likewise, I heard her sigh, and she said in her same soothing tone, "You know what you need? You require a treat. I was going to make something for dinner. You came home looking dazed." Now she turned around, looking at my room.

"Did you see me coming home?" I asked as she started looking the other way, probably to see if I was cleaning my room. Though at the moment she would not say.

"Yes, I did. You came through the front like you always do. What's wrong?" Now she turned to me with cautious eyes, and her fingers squeezed mine.

I grimaced and smiled tight-lipped at her, "It's just hard remembering what happened after the bus ride. I am fine now, though."

"You always scare me, always have me worrying. You don't look fine. Do you want to help me bake?" She said, unsure of what my mood would be like. I want to think she should know by now, baking is my forte. There is no mood for that. Anytime would be right.

"Thank you, Mom. Thank you for making me feel better. Nightmares just drain the life out of me." I said as normally as I could. Of course, I would cheer up a little after knowing my baking skills would come in handy. My legs and arms started moving around, exercising to not cramp out when I put them to good use.

"I am sure baking would bring it right back to you. I will make your favorite. Crusty cakes, I am thinking." She hopped off the bed, equally excited as well. I was sure her excitement matches mine at this point.

"You know it," I exclaimed happily, giving a little giggle.

She left smiling, and I returned her smile, a little better right now. Sighing, I washed my face in the sink and give myself a once-over. Applying concealer under my eyes and adding a little color too, I looked ready to get some baking done. Mom wouldn't worry so much. I need to get myself intact.