章 2: Nightmare

Evil laughter surrounded me, cold and alone I kept running in this eerie scene. With no particular destination in mind I ran another 10 miles until a lone shadow of a man blocked my view. He seemed to be in deep thought, lonely even. He was an intriguing being and as if by magnet I was pulled towards him.

As I got closer, his blurred out face became clearer

"Klaus, I love you"

Ashley walked out of the shadows created by the dark looming trees. She hugged him while her sultry voice remained piercing my ears.

As if to inflict me with more pain, he hugged her back. His dark blue - green eyes threw flames towards me and his pearl - white skin glistened in the moonlight, giving him the look of a blood thirsty devil.

Even so, I can't stop loving this man.

My locked up emotions threatened to break free. Wanting to be free from this feeling was like wishing for it to snow in the burning desert.

I remained fixated in my spot, not daring to move an inch because I knew what would follow next.

The night breeze turned violent as the leaves crashed and attacked among themselves.

"Crunch, crunch…" "Rustle, rustle…"

A rustling sound of a faceless being approached me from behind. I dared not look back. It hugged me from my waist and pulled me towards the unknown.

"Klaus, Help me!"

"Please don't let it take me!"

I screamed for help while I struggled to break free. I tried kicking the faceless being behind me but it didn't bulge. It never did.

Ashley held her evil grin and Klaus scoffed, giving me his cold stare instead. He didn't plan to save me anytime soon.

He turned his back and walked away holding Ashley in his arms. Not giving me a second look back.

"Wait! Klaus, don't leave me please. I'm begging you…"

"Klaus!..."

I awoke with a jolt.

Two crystal clear blue eyes staring down at me. Look of worry and concern written on her face.

"Girl, you really need to stop dreaming about your ex, you were screaming his name!" She huffed, trying to lighten my mood.

"The same dream again.." I quietly proceeded to tell her the details.

"So you didn't see his face again?"

"No. I didn't turn around."

"Did he take you anywhere this time?"

"No, I woke up before he could…and why would I want to go with some faceless monster!"

"What if he's a handsome one?"

As usual, she continued with her teasing.

I stayed in the comfort of my bed, enduring her before I was hit with another realisation. A greater nightmare would truly fall on me if I get late.

I jumped out of my bed, frightening Rebecca.

"What time is it?!"

"Uh, 11:30 am"

"Sh*t, sh*t I have an interview at 1!"

I screamed as I ran towards the bathroom.

Luckily, I had already prepared the perfect outfit for my interview. I was finally able to choose the perfect outfit with the result of wasting hours and hours, searching for the perfect job interview outfit on the internet. After reading through many suggestions, I decided to go with a look that read "Simple yet Professional".

I quickly freshened up and put on my pink button-down blouse. I matched it with a high - waisted khaki pencil skirt and added my khaki blazer on top. I slipped on my pair of khaki heels to complete my look.

I looked in the mirror one last time and nodded in satisfaction.

This was perfect. My look read professional yet relaxed and easy-going at the same time.

As they say "First impression is the last impression."

"Wow, you look amazing Hayls, I bet Prince Charming will be too distracted by your looks." she jokingly said and winked at me.

"Thanks, Becca! You do realize he sees beautiful girls everyday day right" I exclaimed, excitement clearly taking over me.

"I know but I bet he has never seen a beauty like you before!" She laughed teasingly.

"Alright, do I really look fine, I didn't overdress right?" I asked worriedly.

"Common Hayls, don't underestimate your beauty. You'd look good even if you wore rags." She said trying to calm me down.

"Thanks, Becca, I feel much better already," I said while giving her my best smile.

Rebecca has been my best friend for over three months. Although the first time I met her was five years ago, in my forgotten past life.

She has been a godsend gift for me when I needed someone the most.

When that tragedy struck three months back I was in a state of self destruction.

None of my family members had bothered to turn up to my mothers funeral, the ones who came were either our neighbours or the people who I didn't know. They consoled me and sympathised with me.

I guess it made me believe in the kindness of strangers.

Sometimes water is thicker than blood.

In my desperate state, I made the decision to move to the big city. Away from all my sorrows.

That's when I met Rebecca again.

It was that fateful windy day.

A pink umbrella came fluttering towards me and knocked me flat on the dirty puddle made by the earlier heavy rain. She had apologized to me and begged me to come to her gigantic apartment. Way too big for a single person.

I had reluctantly agreed back then but when I think about it now, it was probably the best thing that happened to me after a very long time.

Her search for a roommate ended with me and my search for a flat ended with her.

We both enjoyed our win - win situation.

Moving forward we realized how different we both were, yet very similar at the same time which sparked our strong friendship bond.

She took the right of calling me 'Hayls', swearing to remove anyone else who calls me that.

So I nicknamed her 'Becca' which I think matches perfectly with her personality. She is cheerful but she can be quite stuck - up at times.

But I still love her to bits, she's like a sister I wished Ashley could've been.

"Wish me luck!" I shouted before heading out the door.

"You'll do great," Rebecca shouted back.

Exactly at 12:30 pm, my taxi arrived.

I nervously entered and sat in the back seat. My heart thumping and my nervousness reaching its peak height. I was finally getting closer and closer to hopefully my new beginning.

This time Hayley had no idea what sweet treat awaited her, something she would be craving for the rest of her life.