Nightmares (Part 2)

Submitted into Contest #89 in response to: Write a story that spans a month during which everything changes.... view prompt

173 comments

Fiction Suspense Horror

TW: derealization, spirits, etc.


I walk out of my bedroom, knife in hand, and open the pastel door.ย 


โ€œOh, Natalie!โ€ exclaims Leah as she hears me enter the room. โ€œThe cookies should be done any minute, can you go check on them please?โ€ When I donโ€™t respond, she turns away from the mirror and looks at me. Her gaze shifts to the knife in my hand, and her usual smile instantly drops from her lips.


โ€œNatalie?โ€ she asks shakily, her eyes darting around the room for an escape.ย 


I reach behind me and close the door, clicking the lock, trapping her with me. I slowly walk forward, a small part of me screaming in the back of my mind for mercy. But the voice demands blood. And the blood must be hers.


โ€œHelp! Help!โ€ screeches Leah, backing up against the wall in panic. I sprint forward, knocking her to the ground. My knees pin her arms to the ground, using my slightly larger body weight to my advantage. I lift my knife towards her face, lightly tracing her lips as she whimpers.


โ€œPlease,โ€ she whispers. โ€œPlease donโ€™t do this.โ€


I beg the voice in my mind to stop, to leave her alone. But he demands her blood. I fight back in my mind, trying to gain control of my body.ย 


โ€œPlease,โ€ she whispers.ย 


I manage to fight through the voice for a split second, hesitantly speaking to her as I tried to pull my hand away from her face.


โ€œIโ€™m sorry,โ€ I force out. โ€œI promise this is not the real meโ€


Her bright blue eyes glisten with tears as I lose control and the knife makes its way towards her throat. A flick of my wrist is all it takes to open that one vital artery and allow all of her blood to pour out onto the white carpet. Iโ€™m about to do so when I hear the slamming of a door behind me and Peterโ€™s voice echoes through the room.


โ€œWait!โ€ he shouts, holding his hand up towards me. I whip my head around, not moving the knife from its position on Leahโ€™s throat.


โ€œNatalie,โ€ he says calmly. โ€œYou donโ€™t have to do this.โ€


โ€œHe demands blood,โ€ I hiss, baring my teeth at the threat.ย 


โ€œI know,โ€ he whispers. โ€œThatโ€™s why I came. I knew the voice was demanding the blood of your sister. Because I have a similar voice that fights against yours. Good versus evil. Light versus darkness.โ€


I hesitate, sensing the voiceโ€™s subtle rage.ย 


โ€œPlease, Natalie. You need to resist. Look at your sister.โ€


I glance down at Leah, her blue eyes wide in fear, whimpering at the sight of her beloved sister holding a knife at her throat.


โ€œThe voice cannot keep doing this. He cannot keep demanding innocent blood. He will not stop. Come with me, and I can help you.โ€ He reaches out his hand, his bright green eyes gazing into mine.


I reach out my hand, this time by my own control as the voice screamed in my mind for me to stop.


A blinding light fills my vision. Next thing I know, Iโ€™m in a marbled black and white room that didnโ€™t seem to have an end. About 10 yards away is Peter, lying on the ground like I was.ย 


โ€œWhere are we?โ€ I ask, gazing around the blank space.


โ€œI donโ€™t know,โ€ he mumbles. I feel an itching sensation at my fingertips. I glance down to see a strange black haze emerging from them. My eyes go wide with fear and I try to get away from the strange black substance pulling through my fingers. Nausea overcomes my body as it spilled out of my mouth, gathering in front of me into a large shadowy figure. Once the last bit of the black substance spills out, I drop to the floor, instantly fatigued.ย 


I look up to see the black substance clumping together and floating in the air before transforming into a strange dragon-like shape. It whips its head towards me for a split second, revealing itโ€™s bright red eyes.


โ€œStayyyy out of thissss,โ€ hisses the creature, turning back around to face Peter. A similar substance spills from his fingertips and mouth, except it was a ghastly white, its piercing blue eyes mimicking Leahโ€™s.


โ€œSooooo, we meet again,โ€ says the creature, its blood red eyes seething with hatred.


โ€œYou knew this would happen,โ€ responds the other voice, which brought a small sense of comfort and safety as opposed to the horrid trapped feeling the other one brought.


โ€œWhoโ€ฆ who are you?โ€ I ask shakily.


โ€œWe are the Spirits,โ€ says the strange white voice. โ€œI am the Spirit of Life, Vita. The opposing spirit that has possessed you all these years is Mortum, The Spirit of Death. We have been battling each other for centuries to keep balance to the Earth.โ€


โ€œButโ€ฆ why me? Why us?โ€ I ask, glancing at Peter.


โ€œWe each have to possess a living soul in order to fulfill our duties. My duty is to provide the Earth with living souls. He was simply supposed to wipe out those who have taken the lives of others, those who have done nothing but wrong to the world. But he took advantage of that, using you to take the blood of those that do not belong to him.โ€


โ€œThe blood of the innocents,โ€ seethes Mortum, โ€œis much sweeter. But you would not let me feed on the souls you created. You are the one who is supposed to create the perfect souls on this Earth. It is not my fault if you made so many innocents. The Earth can spare a few.โ€


โ€œThe blood of the innocent is not for your taking!โ€ shouts Vita. โ€œWe deal with this every few decades, Mortum. And you always go to take another victim that you can force to do your bidding. Itโ€™s a constant cycle, one in which you will always lose.โ€


โ€œIs it?โ€ says Mortum, as he lunged straight for Vita, knocking her to the ground. Peter narrowly dodged the fight, crawling his way towards me.ย 


โ€œI need blood! And you cannot take that from me!โ€โ€ shouts Mortum, as what seemed like red veins wrapped around his body. โ€œIt gives me power! It gives me strength that you cannot possess! And now, you shall taste defeat!โ€


Mortum towers over Vita, opening his large mouth, bits of blood dripping onto the bare floor. Vitaโ€™s smoke-like figure seems to pull itself towards his mouth. She tries to get away, but itโ€™s too late. The last of her body disappears into his mouth, and the previously marbled room turns completely black.ย 


Peter and I huddle together in fear at what we just witnessed. Mortum whips his head towards me, his red eyes glowing brighter than ever, the red veins encircling his body beating to an unknown rhythm.ย 


Mortum starts walking towards me, his voice already becoming muddled with my mind.


โ€œNo!โ€ I shriek, scrambling away from the creature. An invisible force pulls at my body as I grasped at the floor in desperation. โ€œPeter!โ€


At the last minute, Peter grasps my hand, holding on as the invisible force pulls me closer to Mortum.


โ€œDonโ€™t let go! Donโ€™t let him take me again!โ€ I yell.


โ€œI wonโ€™t!โ€ he shouts.


โ€œYes you will,โ€ says Mortum. โ€œIf you donโ€™t want me to bring Annie here.โ€


Peter hesitates at the mention of his mentally ill younger sister, not wanting to haunt her with the battle of the spirits.


โ€œPeeta?โ€ I shout, truly scared he will let go of me.


He gazes back at me and pulls hard, trying to free me from the creatureโ€™s grasp.


โ€œI gave you a chance for mercy,โ€ bellows Mortum, โ€œand you refused. If the Spirit of Life herself could not defeat me, what makes you think you can?โ€


With that, Peter loses his grip, and I fly through the air straight towards the Spirit of Death.


โ€œNatalie!โ€ shouts Peter. I floated in the air in front of Mortum as his blood-like veins wrap around my body.


โ€œNo!โ€ I scream, trying to get away from the horrid creature that haunted my life.ย 


โ€œSubmit to me once again, my slave,โ€ whispers Mortum as part of his shadowy figure forces its way back into my mouth. Fear overwhelms me as the darkness makes its way into my body, taking control of my limbs and my mind. The indifference immediately sets it, accompanied by the sudden thirst for blood, the same thirst Mortum claimed to suffer from. I turn around, coming face to face with Peter, my eyes completely black, shadowy wings protruding from my back.ย 


โ€œNatalie?โ€ asks Peter tentatively, slowly backing up.


My voice is deep and disconfigured as a single word leaves my lips.


โ€œBloodโ€ฆโ€


A hear a small whisper in the back of my mind, barely audible.ย 


Do not fret, it whispers, and I only have a moment of confusion before the light blinds my eyes and my body becomes numb.


I fall to the floor, the black wings disintegrating, the black room now marbled once again.


โ€œHow?!โ€ shouts Mortum, now back in his spirit form. His red veins fades to a dull red, a few of them shrivel from lack of blood.


โ€œIโ€™ve told you before, Mortum,โ€ says Vita as she faces Mortum. โ€œLife cannot live without Death, and Death cannot live without Life. We cannot defeat the other, no matter how hard you try. But I can contain you.โ€


A hole suddenly emerges from Mortumโ€™s side, white light emerging from it.


โ€œNo!โ€ he shouts as hole after hole develop on his body. โ€œI will be back, and I will rid of you once and for all!โ€


With that, Mortum disappears, leaving us alone with Vita in the marbled room, which now seems predominantly white.


Vita makes her way towards us, the tips of her wings already fading.ย 


โ€œWhat will happen now?โ€ asks Peter, helping me up from the floor.


โ€œNot much can be done. I can erase these memories, but can only do so at midnight. Do not worry, Peter. Annie can remain untouched by Mortum, as long as she remains innocent and pure. Leah will be okay, and everything will resume as it once was. Exceptโ€ฆโ€


โ€œExcept what?โ€ I ask, a small catch in my voice.


She slowly turns to me. โ€œYou cannot live.โ€


โ€œWhat?!โ€ I exclaim, tears filling my eyes. โ€œWhy?!โ€


โ€œMortumโ€™s job is to get rid of those who have done nothing but hurt the world, killing innocent livesโ€ฆโ€


โ€œBut that wasnโ€™t me! That was Mortum! What about Leah?!โ€


โ€œShe will not remember you once the sun sets.โ€


โ€œNo,โ€ I choke out. โ€œIt canโ€™tโ€ฆ it canโ€™t end like this!โ€


โ€œIโ€™m sorry. You have until sunset to resolve what you can, say goodbye to whoever you need to, although they will not remember. But you will.โ€


โ€œIโ€™m sorry,โ€ whispers Peter, placing a hand on my shoulder.


โ€œI can ensure that your passage into death is safe. I will do what I can to protect you from Mortum, but death is something he is more familiar with than I.โ€


โ€œButโ€ฆโ€


โ€œWe do not have much time,โ€ she says, her white wings already fading into the air. โ€œFix what you can, say what you must. You have until sunset.โ€ Her voice fades with her body as a white light floods the room. For some reason, I smell smoke, the distant sound of an alarm ringing in my ears. I open my eyes and find myself back in Leahโ€™s bedroom, flames licking up the sides of the walls, smoke clogging the air. I start coughing immediately, covering my mouth with the front of my shirt, a small tightness in my chest increasing with every breath. I reach out towards a coughing and trembling Leah. Seeing my hand, she shrieks and backs up further into the wall. Tears fill my eyes, partially from the smoke, partially from the imminent fear on Leahโ€™s eyes.ย 


Fear of me.ย 


Peter reaches forward and yanks Leah by the arm, half dragging, half carrying her out of the room. I follow behind them, glancing at the large fire in the oven before bursting out the door. Leah is clutching Peter on the floor, sobbing into his shirt. I kneel down next to her, not realizing the knife still in my hand. I toss it aside and slowly reach out towards her.


โ€œLeah,โ€ I whisper. She glances up from the comfort of Peterโ€™s shirt, her bloodshot eyes meeting mine.ย 


โ€œPlease believe me when I say it wasnโ€™t real. I donโ€™t have time to explain much, but you will not remember any of this soon, or me.โ€ I glance at the orange sky, the tightness in my chest growing as the sun lowers further into the horizon.ย 


โ€œJust know this,โ€ I choke out as I try to inhale the seemingly oxygen-deprived air. โ€œI will always love you, no matter what. Even when you wonโ€™t remember me.โ€ My fingers buzz and start to go numb, fatigue suddenly overtaking my body.


โ€œKeep an eye on her Peter,โ€ I whisper, my mind becoming foggy and muddled.


โ€œAlways,โ€ he whispers back, his eyes fluttering closed as his lips lightly brush against mine. Warmth momentarily fills my body before cold and darkness flooded it, and I could just catch Leahโ€™s bright blue eyes gazing into mine before they close, never to open again.


I can hear his voice, eerie and anticipating as darkness swirls around me.


Come to meeeee, he whispered. You cannot escape now. You will always be my little slave, and thereโ€™s nothing you can do about it.


I could hear someone screaming, maybe it was me, as his blood red eyes gaze into my soul, the red veins reaching out towards me.


Not on my watch, come a different voice. Mortumโ€™s eyes get smaller and smaller as they get farther away, the darkness encasing me turning into a white light, filling me with peace and joy.


I cannot do much, says Vita. But I can keep you here, safe and at peace, for all of eternity.


I inwardly sigh as beautiful colors fill the air. Shades of violet and blue, yellow and green, all blend together to form a beautiful flower field. Leahโ€™s laugh echoes in my ears, Peterโ€™s soft lips make contact with mine, and all of my fears and worries disappear into the flurry of colors.


April 13, 2021 16:02

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173 comments

Valerie June
02:31 Apr 19, 2021

Hi Abbie! How are you?

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Valerie June
15:10 Apr 19, 2021

Iโ€™m sorry to hear that. Iโ€™m doing alright, but I could be better. Do you think youโ€™re going to write anything this week? I have a small idea that I think is pretty good but itโ€™s going to be a busy week for me. I hope Iโ€™ll have time to write it.

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Maybe, maybe not. The prompts are oddly specific but not bad. Not feeling a lot of motivation to write, still putting off my series too. If I write anything I'll let you know. Let me know if you do, I would love to read it.

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Valerie June
15:35 Apr 19, 2021

Agreed. It took me some time to come up with an idea and the ones I did have were eventually thrown into what I like to call my "hot garbage pile." XD If there's anything I can do to help, just ask me and I'll try to help. I actually did post a story called "A Good Death." It's pretty sad (I was in that type of mood, ya know?) so don't say I didn't warn you! Random question. Do you have any pet peeves?

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I'll go read it, I'm in that kind of mood rn lol so yeah ik. Umm I have a couple. People who walk slow (I got places to be), those people who act all innocent when theyre just manipulative (oooo they get on my nerves), people that chew with their mouth open (no one wants to see that ew), people who judge (like... stop), basically just siblings overall XD. Also unfairness (people or animals, doesn't matter), false positivity, history teachers, etc. I got a lot of pet peeves lol. Hbu? What are your pet peeves? Also do you have any siblings?

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Valerie June
02:45 Apr 14, 2021

This was sad, but I get what you mean about it ending happily. And yes!!! I had a feeling that Peter (I like how you used Peeta once) would save Leah. Great job with this Abbie. :) I know a lot of people are asking for a part 3, but I think if you leave it at this, it would work too. If you ever have inspiration you could always come back to this.

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oop XD I was prob accidentally typing Peeta XDDDD just finished reading the hunger games series lolllllll tysmmmmm glad you like it! Yeah thats what im thinking. having a part 3 would push the series a bit too far. :)

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Valerie June
16:18 Apr 14, 2021

Peeta, Peter what's the difference? XD I agree. You're already have trouble with "The Adapters" series so why would you risk feeling more stressed over another series? Also, cool profile pic! I don't watch Dream or Technoblade, but my brother LOVES that type of stuff. He likes to show me that sort of things, but yeah, I'll stick with my books in the meantime. ;)

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Valerie June
16:25 Apr 14, 2021

Wow, that's a pretty good drawing! I'm terribleeee at drawing people so stick figures for me lol.

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Is derealization a trigger warning? Well... gotta add that to some of my stories, I think, lol. I love how this is so obviously a horror, but it's also like very in-depth. Not a mystery, but kinda... idk connected?

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It can be, I've seen a lot of TW about derealization so I thought I should add it. Lol yeah, it's its own little genre eheheheh. :) We haven't talked in a bit (aside from the doc a little but ago lol) how r u?

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I mean, I'm in a vibe rn, lol. Kinda just like gushing over music and writing, I guess. Idk, spring vacation is next week (I even don't have a test in my college classes next week either for once!) and so I guess I'm just like... idk mostly hanging on this week through like random comfort songs, characters and shows and stuff like that.

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TJ Squared
16:53 Apr 13, 2021

lkjbvcdfrtyuiolkjnbvcxsdrtyuiokjhbvc *nO WoRdS tO DeScRiBe My PaIn* nbvcxdsdertyuiolkjnbvcdxsedrtyuijkjnbvcxz very suspenseful, you had me on the edge of my seat. poiuytfdcvbnmkloiuytrfds gah

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SAMANTHA LANGLEY
16:18 Apr 13, 2021

Oooooooooh, I love it! There was a nice transition from the first part to this one. Also, I agree, it does seem a little bit rushed, but I feel like that makes the story more mysterious. You should make a 3rd part, too! XD

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ABBIE DOT DO THIS you're literally one of my best friends we all love you don't go. I don't know what to say I'm just too shocked. I know you're having a super rough time and a lot of things are weighing you down. but please find a better solution. I know things look horrid right now and it's so stressful for you but hope is like the sun if we only believe in it when we can see it we'll never make it through the night. you can talk this out with one of us to your parents or someone just someone that has ears and can listen. people can help y...

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look you have so many friends here, willing to fight for you, you have other options, I can help you. everyone fights their own battle, but it's not about killing those we hate, but saving the ones we love. please Abbie don't do this. I can help you. and no one has left you, we're all standing here by your side willing to do anything for you.

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...it's just so much... I've been fighting this battle for as long as I can remember... I don't want to do it anymore... people are always saying they can help but there's only so much they can do... the solution is only temporary... it always comes back worse.... I can't do it anymore...

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Yes you can. you have been fighting for too long, so lets win. there are people that can help. you have them here. I know its tough for you but we can do this. please, just give it one more try.

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โค #KillLila 100% ur the first person I've come across that watches MIRACULOUS. :0

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ty for reading bio!!! :) YES FINALLY SOMEONE WHO HATES LILA AS MUCH AS I DO like Luka is pretty nice although he gets in the way, and Chloe is rude but misunderstood, but LILA IS A DECEPTIVE LITTLE... MUFFINHEAD WHO FRUSTRATES THE HECK OUT OF ME sorry had to rant lol I've come a cross a couple other ppl :D

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It's fine lol. dEeP bReAtH LILA SUCKS BIG TIME AND CHLOE IS SO MISUNDERSTOOD. SHE'S THE ONLY PERSON WHO ACTUALLY RESISTED AN AKUMA. AN A K U M A. Luka is soooo kinda, although I'm Adrinette all the way :'D

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OK ILL TAKE LUKA ๐Ÿฅบ๐Ÿ˜” Tbh I feel like Lila *may* become the new Hawk Moth or smth, since Timetagger (i think thats the name of the villain- could be wrong--?) said that he was getting the miraculous for the future Hawk Moth soo- i just feel bad at how deeply underestimated Cat Noir is tho T^T

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I haven't watched all of them since my parents wont let me, they are #antigay and #antilgbtq so yeah :( they dont let me watch anything related to that T^T ikrrrrrrr he is so amazing but he gets so much hate T^T what r u fave episodes? I only watched up to mid season 2 i think but I snuck in a cat blanc and heroes day episode just cuz i couldnt resist lol

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OMLLLLLLL THAT WAS SOOOO GOOOOOOD- Personally, I think that the story is good ending here, mostly because I love the ending so much xD this was just so good idk how to explain ๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’–๐Ÿ’– GRATE ๐Ÿง€๐Ÿง€๐Ÿง€ job!!! ~ Amethyst

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Kazumi Mishima
20:42 Apr 13, 2021

Oh. My. Goodness! This was stupendous, Abigail! I can see what you mean about it being rushed: the events do go by pretty fast. But I don't think that's a bad thing at all. The imagery was excellent, and strange as it was, I could still picture everything in my mind. I was so hooked, waiting to see which spirit would ultimately prevail in the struggle over Natalie. I now know Mortum's role and the reason why he wants blood, so thank you for that! I wasn't expecting a life spirit named Vita to be manifested in Peter, though; that was a pleasa...

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Thank you so much I'm glad you like this! I got the names Vita and Mortum from the Latin words for Life and Death :). This is one of the view stories that has a sort of happy ending lol, my endings are usually more tragic XD. Tysm for the feedback and for taking the time to read my story TvT.

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