"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." -Albert Einstein

Determined not to let my anxiety dictate the course of my night, I plastered a smile on my face as we entered the club, a fragile façade to shield the turmoil roiling within me. The atmosphere buzzed with electric energy, a living pulse created by countless bodies moving in unison, their movements driven by the deep, thumping bass that reverberated through the air like a heartbeat. The scent of liquor hung thick around me, a heady mix of fruity cocktails and sharper notes that stung my nostrils, wrapping around my senses like a warm, intoxicating cloak.

As I ventured deeper into this vibrant chaos, the club morphed into a dizzying kaleidoscope of colors and sounds, overwhelming yet exhilarating. Strobe lights flashed rhythmically, casting playful shadows that danced along the walls, while the dance floor throbbed with an infectious energy at its center. A long bar stretched along the back, where a few patrons nursed their drinks, the clinking of glasses harmonizing with the lively symphony swirling around me. My heart raced in time with the music, each wild drumbeat echoing the frenetic pulse of the crowd. Yet, despite the vibrant atmosphere, I felt like an outsider, adrift in a sea of revelry, unsure of my place among the thrumming bodies that surrounded me.

Suddenly, Jaxson grabbed my wrist, pulling me away from our group with an urgency that jolted me from my thoughts. I gasped, a rush of surprise and gratitude flooding through me. His warm touch felt like a lifeline amidst the anxiety that threatened to consume me. As he guided me into the writhing sea of bodies, the heat of the crowd enveloped us, and the bass thudded in my chest, syncing with the wild rhythm of my blood. We reached the center, where the lights spun like a tempest, and for a brief moment, the world outside seemed to vanish, leaving only us in our euphoric bubble.

"Come on, Kaelynn, don't be shy. Let loose," he urged, his wide, genuine smile igniting a flutter of hope in my chest. I attempted to mirror his enthusiasm, but I feared my expression resembled more of a grimace than a genuine grin.

I focused intently on avoiding anyone's touch, hyper-aware of the risk of brushing against a stranger who might trigger my curse. Instead, I leaned into Jaxson, allowing my fingers to trail from his chest down to his taut torso, feeling the warmth radiating from him. Maybe he was right; perhaps tonight I could truly let go, if only for a fleeting moment.

With a playful grin, Jaxson spun me around so my back faced him, his warm hands resting on my hips like a gentle anchor in the storm of noise and color. I surrendered to the music, letting it guide my movements as we danced, lost in the moment, the world outside fading into a distant memory. For the first time in a long while, I felt a glimmer of freedom—a brief reprieve from the weight of my worries pressing down on my chest.

But as the night wore on and my feet began to ache, reality crept back in, an unwelcome reminder of my anxiety. I excused myself to grab a drink, seeking a moment of solace amid the vibrant chaos. Jaxson, ever the social butterfly, drifted off to find our group, and a wave of relief washed over me. He was kind, and I appreciated his company, but my heart wasn't ready for anything romantic. I feared that the more I let him in, the more complicated it would become for both of us.

Once I reached the bar, I flagged down a bartender and ordered a fruity cocktail, hoping to mask the harsh taste of alcohol. I settled onto one of the barstools, allowing myself a moment to breathe as the vibrant chaos of the club receded into the background. Lost in thought, I failed to notice the figure approaching until a sudden impact jolted me. Someone bumped into me with such force that I fell off the barstool, pain shooting up my spine as I collided with the floor.

Gasping, I looked up to meet a pair of striking emerald green eyes. Oh, God. Not him again. Fear skittered through my body as I stared at the same gorgeous man from this morning.

His brows furrowed as he looked down at me, concern flickering across his features, but it did little to quell my rising panic. I scrambled to my feet, instinctively putting distance between us, my heart pounding wildly in my chest.

"Are you stalking me?" I shot out, indignation and fear intertwining in my voice. Bad Kaelynn. Don't engage with the creepy dude. I wanted to face-palm myself for not instinctively running away.

The stunning man stepped closer, invading my space with unsettling confidence. "Yes," he replied simply, his tone disarmingly calm.

I gulped, taking another step back, desperately searching for anyone I knew, but the crowd had caged me in, the faces around me all strangers. "Why can't you leave me alone?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, the weight of dread settling heavily on my chest.

His expression shifted, a flicker of genuine sadness passing over his features, as if my retreat distressed him. Did he not understand how wrong and creepy this was? "I can't," he said, his voice surprisingly soft, but it only deepened my unease.

"You're crazy," I whispered, feeling trapped. The bartender had stepped away, leaving my drink unattended, and the people around us were either too inebriated to notice or indifferent to my plight.

The man shrugged and took another step closer, his body mere inches from mine. My limbs began to tremble, and I could feel tears threatening to spill from my eyes. Why couldn't I just have a normal night?

"I'm trying to save you, girl. The shadows are coming for you one way or another. If you don't come with me now, I won't be able to protect you much longer," he said, his breath stirring my hair, sending chills down my spine.

"What shadows? What are you even talking about?" I asked, disbelief flooding my voice, but a chill of fear gripped my heart, wrapping around me like a vice.

The man clenched his jaw and grabbed my arm, pulling me away from the bar toward the front entrance. My struggle was futile; his grip was too strong to fight off. Panic set in. Was he going to take me to that 'gate' he had mentioned before?

"Kaelynn?" A voice called from my right, slicing through the haze of fear. My heart raced. Please be Jaxson.

I turned to see Derik approaching, his gray eyes narrowed in concern as he assessed the situation. "Derik, help!" I cried, my voice barely audible above the relentless beat of the music.

Whether he heard me or just sensed my distress, Derik rushed to my side as we reached the door, grabbing my other hand and pulling us to a stop. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.

The creep scowled down at Derik, towering over him by a good five inches. "Back off," he growled in return, his tone dripping with menace.

Derik stood taller, positioning himself protectively in front of me, even though the creep still held my arm. "You're dragging my girlfriend, so I don't think I will."

My eyes widened, my jaw dropping in disbelief. Did he just call me his girlfriend to save me? A mix of gratitude and confusion washed over me; maybe I had misjudged Derik after all.

The creep yanked my arm so hard I felt like my shoulder might pop out of its socket. I stumbled forward, somehow landing in his arms, his grip wrapping tightly around my chest, my back pressed against him. His nose brushed my neck as he inhaled deeply, sending a shiver down my spine that I couldn't suppress.

"She's definitely not yours," he said with finality, his voice cold, slicing through the air like a blade.

"Kaelynn, do you know this guy?" Derik asked, his eyes wide with concern, searching my face for answers.

I shook my head quickly, fear evident in my wide eyes. "No!"

"If you don't let her go, I will beat your ass, man. I don't care if it's in the middle of this club. Let her go," Derik threatened, his fists clenched and ready, the tension in the air thickening like a storm about to break.

The man laughed, dismissing Derik's threat as if it were a joke. "Give it a shot, kid. You wouldn't be able to touch me if you tried."

To my surprise, the creep mercifully released me and stepped toward Derik. I glanced behind me; the door was only feet away. I looked back at Derik with wide, apologetic eyes, mouthed a silent thank you, and ran.

I stumbled onto the street, not daring to look back. My heart raced, a wild mix of relief and terror coursing through me. If I could just get away, Derik wouldn't need to get involved, and I could escape this nightmare. That was all that mattered.

I ran up the street, determined to get back to my room as soon as I could. I should have known I wouldn't be able to have a night without something bad happening. I was foolish for thinking otherwise.

The streets were surprisingly empty. I relished that fact, the solitude allowing me to sprint without the fear of colliding with anyone. Once I knew I was far enough from the club, I ducked into an alleyway, finally allowing my body to relax. With deep breaths, my heart began to slow its frantic rhythm.

With trembling hands, I pulled out my phone and tried to call Skylar. But she didn't answer; I wasn't particularly surprised. It was loud, and she was probably lost in the revelry of her own night. I shouldn't interrupt her.

With a sigh, I sent her a quick text:

**Kaelynn:** Hey, something came up. Had to go home. TTYL. Love ya.

I shoved my phone back into my pocket and walked back into the street. Mercifully, it was empty. At a slower pace, I began my journey back to campus. I was only a couple of blocks away.

I soon made it to the familiar gravel path of the university. Each step echoed in the stillness of the night, the rhythmic sound amplifying the haunting silence surrounding me. The familiar path to my dorm, usually a comforting sight, felt foreign and foreboding under the oppressive weight of darkness. The streetlights flickered, casting long shadows that danced along the pavement, and I shivered, trying to shake off the lingering fear that clung to my skin like a chill.

With every hurried step, I glanced over my shoulder, heart pounding, half-expecting to see that man lurking just beyond the reach of the dim light. His unsettling eyes haunted my thoughts, and I couldn't shake the feeling that he was still watching me, waiting for an opportunity to strike. My phone buzzed in my pocket—a brief distraction amid the turmoil—but I didn't stop to check it. I just wanted to reach the safety of my dorm, to escape the night and the strange, menacing encounter that had left me rattled.

Then, out of nowhere, a noise shattered the silence—a rustle in the bushes just off the path that sent my heart plummeting into my stomach. Adrenaline surged through my veins, electrifying every nerve. I quickened my pace, my footsteps growing louder, but before I could fully comprehend what was happening, a dark shape erupted from the shadows.

It was a creature like nothing I had ever seen—a swirling mass of darkness, shifting and writhing as if it were alive. Its eyes glowed with an otherworldly light, predatory and hungry, locking onto me with a feral intensity. Claws extended from its skeletal fingers, glistening like blackened steel in the moonlight, and as it opened its mouth, I was met with rows of razor-sharp teeth that gleamed like daggers.

Panic surged through me, primal and raw, and instinct took over. I ran, my heart racing, breath coming in frantic gasps. The creature's snarls echoed behind me, guttural and terrifying, urging me to push myself harder, to move faster. I could feel the ground beneath my feet, the sharp stones digging into my soles with each desperate stride, but the pain was lost in the chaos of fear. All that mattered was escape.

I sprinted toward my dorm, the familiar building looming ahead like a fortress of safety against the encroaching darkness. My heart thundered in my chest, louder than the sound of my footsteps, and just as I reached the door, I could feel the creature's hot breath on my back, a chilling reminder of my pursuer. In a panic, I fumbled with my keys, my fingers trembling as I struggled to find the right one. I nearly dropped them as the weight of dread clawed at my throat, threatening to choke me. Finally, the door clicked open, and I stumbled inside, slamming it shut behind me with a force that rattled the frame.

Locking the door felt like a small victory, but as I leaned against it, my body shook uncontrollably, the adrenaline that had carried me here now leaving me weak and trembling. I slid down to the floor, drawing my knees to my chest, tears streaming down my face as the reality of what had just happened crashed over me like a tidal wave, leaving me gasping for air.

What was that thing? Why had it chased me? My mind raced with questions, each more terrifying than the last. I felt completely lost, as if the world I had known just moments before had been ripped away, leaving only darkness in its place. Crying, I buried my face in my knees, overwhelmed by the fear and confusion that enveloped me like a suffocating blanket. My life felt unrecognizable, and I couldn't shake the feeling that something far beyond my understanding was unfolding—something that had just begun to unravel, pulling me into its terrifying depths.

Was that creep, right? Was that grotesque creature the 'shadows' he had mentioned? Or... perhaps I had finally hit my breaking point, and I was starting to lose my mind.

God, I don't know anymore. Just yesterday, everything was okay. The worst thing I had to deal with were the demons of my memories. But now? I'm being stalked and chased by actual monsters.

Fuck.

With a shaky breath, I stood and turned back toward the door. An overwhelming urge surged within me to open it, to see if that creature was still there, to confirm whether it had been real. But that would be foolish.

I backed away from the door and made a beeline toward my dorm. The moment I stumbled in, I slammed the door shut and locked it, ensuring I slid the chain in place. I couldn't risk letting anything—or anyone—in.

I crawled into bed, completely shaken. The fear I had felt while that 'thing' chased me rivaled anything I'd ever experienced, even him.

Remembering the text I had received; I pulled my phone from my pocket.

**Skylar: ** WHAT THE FUCK! DERIK TOLD ME WHAT HAPPENED. WHERE ARE YOU???

**Skylar: ** Kae, this isn't funny. Answer your damn phone.

**Skylar: ** I'll head home, and we will talk about it. Okay?

Tears fell down my cheeks as I read her messages. I felt like such a burden; I had successfully ruined her night. I'm the worst friend in the world.

She didn't need to worry about me. I wasn't worth it.

**Kaelynn: ** No need. I'm fine. I'm home. Just have fun; we'll talk tomorrow.

I plugged my phone into its charger and turned away from my nightstand. I buried myself deeper into my comforter, letting the warmth envelop me, and cried myself to sleep, hoping that when morning came, I might wake up to a world where monsters were merely remnants of nightmares.