Filler

Due to my lack of inspiration mixed with a horrid amount of schoolwork, I haven't been able to complete the third chapter of Caring for Julian just yet. I made the mistake long ago when I first started the story of simply skipping this chapter because I found everything that would happen between the second and fourth to be... well.. uninteresting to write.

Nevertheless, I feel the need to make this belated update and will instead post a short story. This little excerpt literally came to me in a dream. My dreams are often very odd and even unnerving. If I remember them, then with great detail. If not, then it as though I'd never dreamt at all.
Without further senseless chit-chat;

Untitled Dream #1:

Awakening was horribly similar to falling from what felt like a three story building. Her whole body jerked as though she’d hit hard pavement, although she quickly realized that nothing of the sort had happened; she was simply lying in bed. This would’ve been a fairly ordinary occurrence, had it not been for the fact that she was in a place she’d never seen before.

Through the thick darkness, she could still make out the general structure of the room; at what angle the wall should be tilted or where the window should’ve been. Everything was strange and unfamiliar. The biting smell of turpentine flooded her nostrils and strung within her head, triggering a pained cough. A dizzy sensation swept over her mind and, if only for a brief moment, she closed her eyes to try to think clearly. The thumping of her heart was literally the only thing that could be heard for the longest time in the eerie silence.

Smells slowly mixed together within the room, as though it were very crowded. Cigar smoke, peppermint candies, and the distinct smells of perfumed makeup surrounded her and seemed to cover her face like a damp towel. It became harder and harder to breathe. Despite this sensation of being crowded, there was another notion of dreadful loneliness that was as striking as it was inexplicable.

Seconds seemed like an eternity. She simply sat there with her eyes closed; too afraid to even take a peek at the darkness that consumed her. It was this endearingly childish notion that, if she should manage to keep any horrid creatures out of her sight, nothing would happen to her in this cold, bizarre place.

Footsteps could be heard from far across the room. The apparently wooden floorboards creaked in tune with the slow stride. Her heard quickened, skipping a beat or two. Her fingers clutched the thin blanket tightly, knuckles turning white. Her muscles clenched. A thick lump formed in her throat. She dared not swallow, for fear of making any noise and bringing attention to herself. Motionless, she lay there, waiting.

The creaking was louder, the sound changing until it became more like an agonized wail. The closer the noises got, the slower they seemed. It was though time itself was halting. Silence followed. She could feel the presence of this unknown other being, hovering just a few inches from the flimsy blanket she’d clung to for what seemed like years. Her only source of protection consisted of a bit of woven cotton.

This position was kept for a while longer. Her muscles throbbed and her heart ached from its consistent, rapid pace. „There, there.“  The very voice sent abhorrent shivers down her spine. It was unlike anything she’d ever heard before; chilling, frightening and appalling. The gender of the speaker was indescribable. It was as though several demonic creatures were hissing these words all at once, each with their own pitch and tone. As much as she wanted to maintain her feeble position and simply wish the being away, she knew she couldn’t. Had it wanted to harm her, it would’ve surely down so already?

Mustering up the last bit of what seemed like courage in her body, she hesitantly opened her eyes. Immediately, she wish she hadn’t.  The figure that stood next to the tiny bed was, in her opinion, the epitome of terrifying.

The first thing that caught her gaze was its mouth; a large grin composed of razor sharp canines, tainted with a tint of yellow but dangerous nonetheless. The inhuman curve and size made her visibly cringe. Next, its general body structure came into view. As her eyes adjusted to the perpetual darkness, she could take in more and more details. The body was sickeningly thin. No matter where she averted her eyes, bones jutted out from beneath the shadowy skin. The creature, whatever it may have been, didn’t appear to have any eyes. Despite this, she could feel it staring at her with great intent.

As she watched ist unmoving form, the fear was gradually depleting. For whatever reason, there was a significant familiarity with this being that, although she couldn’t explain it, was appreciated whilst in such an unfamiliar place. Finally swallowing the dry clot in the back of her throat, she moved to an upright sitting position, peering at it. Although she desperately wanted to, she couldn’t speak.

„You want to know who I am?“

The multi-voiced hissing response made her stomach clench up once more. It was such a hideous, revolting sound. Slowly, she nodded. She braced herself for another grotesque reply but received only silence in return. Instead, it pointed to a window. Had it always been there? No, she was rather sure that the room had been stark black when she had first awoken. Before she could fathom the distinct lack of logic behind the whole display, the glass of the window began to melt. In the beginning, it looked as though someone were pouring a thick, plasma-liquid over the panels; like clear honey.  She watched it for a while, bewildered. The substance sluggishly slid down the walls and on the floor, allowing a harsh wind to violate the room. It bit at her face and arms and she pulled the thin blanket even closer, glancing to the dark figure once more.

„Eyes are the mirror to the soul.“

That repulsive voice. She’d heard that phrase in many different places. Just as she was able to reason with herself and attempt to silently ask yet another question, she realized that the creature was gone. Much like nearly every other night, it had simply departed without giving much in the direction of a helpful answer. Snow fluttered in from the cavity in the wall, from which now the windowpane had also melted.

---

My reason for stopping here is rather blunt and not as creavity or mindful as many people would assume; the dream simply stopped there. I didn't want to add any unnecessary details. Frankly, I wanted to write down the dream in the exact same way as I experienced it. 

Thank you for your time~