The shadows were closing in on me. I had to run. I had to get away. I looked around but nothing was visible beyond the black shroud. There was nowhere to go and the darkness was creeping closer. My heart was pounding, my breath coming in short gasps. Then there was a light ahead pushing away the shadows. I was saved. I was safe…but not for long. I knew what was coming next. The bright light started to pulse, getting faster by the second. It started glowing brighter, but not with the peaceful white radiance that had saved me the moment before. Its color changed to a dreadful red; a sickening blood-red. I stood frozen, waiting for the inevitable. Suddenly, it exploded and I was surrounded by red flames, burning with rage. I couldn't think straight, my mind at a standstill. The shadows and fire swarmed together, charging at me, getting ever faster. I could feel the flames' scorching heat on my skin. I was trapped. Trapped like an animal. My whole body was trembling with fear. Then it hit and I finally thought of the only thing I could do. I screamed.
The scream carried on, into reality. I awoke in a cold sweat, shaking under the covers. I could feel the shocked expression on my face, my heart racing in my chest, and the fear still fresh in my mind. I tried to calm myself down, even out my breathing. It was a nightmare, just a nightmare. The same nightmare I've had every night before a disaster. The sun was shining, sunlight leaking through the window onto the foot of my bed. I glanced at the clock. It was 8:00. So, I had missed breakfast, not that it mattered. No one would notice I was missing. My first class started in half an hour but that was the least of my worries right now. This was the first time my nightmare came so early. Normally, it would start, earliest, two weeks after I've arrived at a new place. This would make it harder to keep my carefully cultivated façade of not looking like a freak and ending up at a mental institution. But, it wasn't like something would happen today. Sometimes I'd have the nightmare for weeks before anything happened. Still, I couldn't shake off the feeling of dread.
Slowly, I got up and got dressed in my uniform; a white blouse with a gray woolen vest to go over it, a matching gray skirt, and knee-high white stockings. I looked in the mirror to see the reflection of someone I barely knew. Myself. My waving black hair fell below my shoulders, curving around my face making it seem rounder. I was pale and no amount of sunlight could change that that. My green eyes that should be vivid and lively were lifeless and dull, shadows underneath showing my lack of sleep. The uniform didn't help change my zombie-like look. Worried and nervous, I grabbed the books and papers I needed and forced myself out the door. Today was bound to be total wreck and knowing that something would happen in the coming future didn't brighten my outlook of things.
I kept walking forward, my head in the map given to me yesterday in the envelope. The place was like a labyrinth. I was lost and there was no one around to ask directions. I turned the corner, hoping to find some kind of sign that would tell me where I was. I was late; really late.