Storms ALL DAY LONG. So sorry for the rushness! Also this had to end this way due to the rushyness :( better than the other one, though

Just as the sound stopped in front of the door, Aerith was sure whatever was out there was going to enter her room.

But no matter how long she waited, nothing entered the room. That couldn't have been her imagination, it sounded too real. It couldn't have just been her mind playing tricks. She heard the rumbling of the steps, the sound of the floor boards creaking under the weight.

Still, despite the realistic sound of someone walking up the stairs, nothing appeared to be around.

Maybe… I am just… freaking myself out. Still…

Aerith slowly scooted off of the bed and stepped near the door, peering through the crack in the door. The coast seemed to show no sign of anyone. Even though she was hesitant, she stepped out of the door. It sounded as though it was beginning to thunder, a storm was quickly brewing. She was at the top of the staircase; she looked left then right… seeing no signs of anyone. She sighed from the huge sense of relief and turned back to her room.

As soon as she laid down into bed she immediately closed her eyes. And it seemed as if she could finally get some rest… how wrong she was, though.

After only a few minutes Aerith awoke to a strange feeling lightly wrapping around her neck. Thinking it was just her hair, she adjusted herself until she was laying her back against the bed, the feeling was now gone. She closed her eyes again and noticed the air was even more cold than before. She quickly tugged the blanket farther up and began to doze off. And after just a few minutes she felt the blanket slowly scooting off of her body. Without moving, Aerith opened her eyes, paralyzed from fear. She glanced down and saw the blanket moving off of her, but nothing was there.

Right as Aerith tried to get up she felt something cold rushing up her body. She would have moved from the bed but it felt like it was holding her in place. Aerith could hear her heart start to pound rapidly from fear, like a hammer against cloth.

After a few seconds of the blood chilling situation, the cold sensation stopped, allowing Aerith to sit up straight. Her whole body was shaking with fear, fear from the unseen presence in her room. As immediately as she sat up Aerith was pushed back down to the bed by a strong force. Her heart was beating at the speed of light now, her limbs felt like noodles from the fear running through her body.

She didn't know what was going on but she knew it wasn't just her mind this time, it was real. All of a sudden, the room's temperature dropped quickly as she felt something wrap around her throat, almost as if hands were there. She tried desperately to get out of its grasp, but her body's strength was useless against the super natural being that was attacking her. Aerith began to feel light headed as the last remaining amounts of oxygen were delivered throughout her body. She felt her green eyes were now bulging and red as she moved her hands to try and pry off whatever was on her. But her flailing limbs did nothing to the invisible beast.

The sound of her fast beating heart was slowing, a sign of her body giving up. She tried to desperately take in air, but the grasp of the invisible beast's hands were too tight.

Her lungs were like dried sponges, the oxygen like water. Her mind was flashing at the speed of light, unsure of what to do and whether or not she'll live from this terrifying scene. Aerith felt her vision going black when all of sudden she felt a tender yet strong grasp on her arms. It was a comforting feeling, a feeling of safeness. Maybe this was death, a comforting feeling at the end of so much pain.

No… this couldn't be her death, she couldn't die now, not like this. This had to have been a dream… right? People aren't supposed to be able to die in dreams, that's not supposed to happen.

One last comforting thought came to Aerith's mind before she closed her eyes, it was Cloud— even though he wasn't there she somehow could hear his voice, she couldn't make out what it was but just hearing his tone made her heart less scared. All of a sudden she felt the soothing touch on her arms shake her body. Despite the calming feeling, the painful choking around her throat worsened.

Just as her lids closed she was pulled into reality.

"Aerith! Wake up! Wake up!"

The male voice was loud and shaky with worry. As soon as Aerith awoke she saw Cloud's face, shock swirling behind his blue eyes.

Aerith gasped for air as she realized it was just a nightmare.

"Aerith, are you okay?"

Even though she was still in a daze, she slowly whispered his name; "Cloud—"

"You were having a nightmare. You were gasping like hell. You scared the shit out of me when you wouldn't wake up. Aerith, what the hell was going on?"

Without answering, Aerith threw her arms around Cloud and buried her face into his chest. Even though it was a nightmare, she just wanted to feel his arms around her.

Cloud wasn't sure what her nightmare involved, but he knew it frightened her. He lowered his head to the bend of her neck and kissed lightly.

"I was so scared—"

Cloud moved and looked Aerith in the eyes and kissed her forehead.

"It's all right, Aerith. It wasn't real."

Aerith tried to stop the tears from building behind her eyes, but the nightmare felt so real, it was a hard thought to push away.

"I'll stay up with you as long as you want, all right?"

Hearing his gentle and loving tone, Aerith felt a new sense of safety in his arms. Aerith drew a breath against Cloud's chest and murmured half jokingly; "I hate Halloween…"

Cloud smiled weakly, "Me too…"

The next day Aerith awoke and headed into the bathroom. She quickly washed her face to wake herself but something in the mirror caught her attention. There were bright red marks around her neck, as if something had choked her.

"What the?"