Prologue

7 years ago…

The street was dark and the only ray of light that could be seen as the one coming from the streetlight that was many meters away from where I am presently at.

I was walking in the middle of the road since there are no cars coming to and fro and it scared me because I am not a friend of really dark places what made it more creepy is not knowing what might be lurking in the dark, that was why I was walking to I don’t know where.

As I walk further in, the darkness seems to be subsiding due to the street light that is way ahead of me. I could feel my mind begin to feel at peace because of the light I could see.

A small house could be seen too and it looks so familiar… like I have been here before but I can't seem to pick a point what exactly or how I was able to know about this place.

Walking further, my heart rate picked up and started ramming against my ribcage as this chilly feeling ran down my spine and the hair on my skin stood up.

I could feel that there was danger but I can't tell where it is coming from since there isn't any-

“Ah!” I yelped as I fell forward and scrape my knee and palms in the process.

The stinging pain shoot right up to my head and I could already feel a headache growing.

I sat on the floor and looked at where I tripped but couldn’t see anything on the floor and it… is… strange.

Because it feels like I fell over something but I couldn’t see what made to me trip. Strange!

I tried to move my injured leg and the pain came again but it was more intense than when I fell. Now it feels like I broke something which I hope I didn’t.

That is the last thing I wanted now was for my foot to be broken or any part of my body.

Taking in deep breaths and trying not to invest in the fact that something was indeed broken, I managed to stand up but focused my weight on my good leg then looked around to see if I could see anyone in sight to ask for help but there was no one in sight.

Since I couldn’t find help, I could at least walk ahead and be hopeful that someone will come to get me.

I took a step with my good leg and leaped when taking the second step with my bad foot, so it was one step and a leap and I went on like that for a while and couldn’t ignore the pain that followed with every step took.

Hence the small groan of pain that left my lips and the little tears that had managed to roll down my cheeks.

“GOD please, help me” I prayed continued walking but still looking and trying to be alert for anything that would be approaching my way.

When I had walked for some time, I froze as I look straight ahead of me and couldn’t understand if it was my body that went still from the fear of what I am seeing or some power that kept me still and unmoving.

Upfront is a building and beside the building is the silhouette of a person with broad shoulders which made me come to the conclusion that it's a man whose face I can hardly see.

He seem to be wearing an all-black attire and a hat over his head which made it hard for me to see his face clearly.

I do feel like I know this man but if only I could see his face I would be able to get who he is and where I have seen him from even though I feel the need to see his face, something deep inside of me says ‘run’ because he is danger.

There is this thing about him that gives me chills, makes me want to scream my lungs out and funny thing is that it feels so familiar.

The pulse-racing… heart racing… the fear… the feeling it is…. it feels so familiar and… and it makes me feel helpless in all. Like… I- I can't do anything and… it scares me to the core.

Run!

My mind screamed at me and I didn’t waste any time thinking about anything and watched him and it seems like he is facing away from me so I can quickly turn back around and get away from here.

Just as I turned around to take a step, I was immediately aware of the intense pain that I mistakenly inflicted on myself minutes ago and I stopped in my tracks as I thought about my injured leg.

‘Where would I go with an injured leg? Would I be able to move that fast so he wouldn't have the chance of knowing that I was here? And everywhere is dark, how would I be able to wiggle my way into this dark and lonely place?'

“I could always play dead” I reminded myself in a whisper and turned to check if he was still facing away from him and didn’t expect what I saw next.

He was moving towards me in slow but dangerous steps and I could feel my heart rate pick up really fast then didn’t think about the pain that I was feeling at the moment and just began leaping awkwardly just so far I m away from him.

I had taken a step and another painful one and just as I was about to take another, I tripped over my foot and fell again, bruising my other knee in the process.

I couldn’t keep it any longer and just let the tears just fall freely as they wanted with the hope that these tears could lessen the pain.

Then I lift my eyes to look at him and saw that he was now taking quick but promising steps toward me and it scares the hell out of me, mainly because of how helpless I felt.

With my injured self, an unknown place I suddenly found myself in, and a mysterious man approaching me in quick steps, I knew there was nothing that would stop whatever danger he is bring to me so I did the thing I know I could at the weak time.

I screamed… I screamed so loud, I thought I would go deaf because of the great amount of force I put in screaming my lungs out. My eyes were closed so I couldn’t see him.

My heart raced, even more, when I felt someone touch me and tried to stop me from screaming further. I thought he had me already and didn’t know when I started sobbing as a plea for him to let go and let someone come and get me out of here instead.

I struggled some more but it felt like he was stronger and I couldn’t stop him from holding me or trying to get me to shut up, then it felt like I was being cradled and I heard a voice that somehow has its way of keeping me calm in the midst of all these crises.

“Daniella, wake up” I heard mum’s voice and let my body relax to the sound of my mum’s voice before slowly opening my eyes to look at her.

Although it looked blurry at first due to my eyes filled with tears after blinking for some time, it cleared and my eyes were able to meet with my mum’s worried ones.

I couldn’t stop myself and sobbed so hard as she continued cradling me in her arms and telling me that all will be fine. I really want to believe her but it is hard… every nightmare makes it hard.

This one was scarier than the previous one I had two nights ago. It was just me with a broken foot as I called out for help. There were a few times when I saw the silhouette of a man but he would just disappear when I blink or look somewhere else.

“It's okay, everything would work out fine” she kept saying those words over and over as she pats my back with so much comfort.

She makes me feel safe in times like this and I couldn’t be more grateful to GOD for making her, my mother.

When I was calm we parted from the hug and she offered me a smile which I wasn’t able to reciprocate but a sigh just left my lips instead.

“Is it like the last one?” she asked and I shook my head but couldn’t explain what it was this time because I could feel the tears threatening to fall again.

She understood and hugged me again then caressed my head and could feel her cheeks resting on my head.

“It's okay if you don’t want to say anything now, anytime you want to rant or say something about it, I will be there to hear you out okay?” she said and I couldn’t prevent the one lone tear that escaped from my eyes.

I opened my mouth to say something but I felt like I was restricted so I cleared my throat and closed my eyes then took in deep breaths, let it out, opened my eyes, and cleared my throat before speaking.

“Th-- there was… a man this time” I let out in a whisper “He-- he was scary… he scares me a lot mummy” I sobbed.

“No one will bring any harm to you okay? You will be fine soon baby girl, you will be fine soon” she told me and I believed her words then closed my eyes s I suddenly felt calm.

That night she stayed with me and made sure I was comfortable and I was at peace.

I want it to stop.