A/N: First of the rewritten chapters, the prologue! Not as good as it could be, but already much better than the original in my opinion.
Sobbing. Fear. Confusion. I couldn't get to the door fast enough, scrambling on my hands and knees for some sort of purchase on the wood floor. Trying desperately to get away from the looming shadow just behind me. I couldn't see ahead of me, tears blurring my vision and making the already slick floor hard to move on. It was only when I couldn't move forward any farther, when my fingers felt the wall, that my heart stopped.
So this was it? This was the end? My young mind could barely comprehend what was going on. More tears as I looked up at the huge figure that reared in front of me. A bear. A huge, brown bear. At the ends of stubby paws long, deadly claws. My gaze fixated on those claws.
I'm going to die! Mommy, Daddy, Save me! I cried inwardly, not knowing that they had already fallen victim to the rabid beast. Black locks, so similar to Daddy's, fell into my face as I shivered, unable to do anything. How could this have happened? I was alone now…. No one was going to save me…!
"Mommy! Daddy! I'm home!" I called as I entered the house, slipping my house key in my pocket. My cry was met with silence, but that didn't bother me. I had just got home from school, they were probably out grocery shopping, or in their room where they couldn't hear me. Shrugging off my backpack and placing it near the doorway, I made my way to my room. Not once did I think to actually look in their room. If they were in there, they'd come say hi to me, like they always did.
Only…. Not today. Not looking in that room was the worst mistake I had ever…. Will ever make.
The door just behind the huge bear swung open and my head swiveled toward it immediately, tearful eyes full of hope. Cerulean orbs widened when they landed upon a tall, black haired man, and I couldn't help the relieved smile that spread across my pale cheeks. "Oh! You're going to save me, right? Right? You are, right?" I asked, jumping to my feet without another thought.
Before I could take a single step forward, the bear roared and pushed my small, 5-year-old child's frame against the wall again, claws digging into my shoulder. I gasped, the blow leaving me light-headed. I managed to lift my head weakly, waiting for my saviors to react…. They were there to save me, right? They just stared, eyes wide in shock.
Their faces were the last I had seen before the bear took it's swipe. Jagged claws ran over my face, shredding the skin like butter, and then I heard a scream. It took me a bit to realize it was my scream. I was screaming.
My eyes… They hurt… Burning… searing pain…! My vision blurred, hot liquid streaming down my face in a waterfall. Make it stop! Make it stop!
A snap. More heat. The pressure falling from my shoulders, dull roaring. I fell forward, hoping that my heroes hadn't acted too late.
Mommy…. Daddy… Come back….
A gasp, I lurched forward, long black hair following the motion. I stared at my lap, but saw nothing. Nothing but the last images that dream left in my head.
I choked back a sob, face already wet from the nightmare, and pulled my legs to my chest.
That memory would never get any better.