Kicking her feet through the darkening water, her lungs screamed in protest, burning. Large bubbles formed as bits of her breath escaped, leaving her with nearly nothing to survive on. Struggling to force her way up towards the sun, wherever that may be, she kicked desperately; slowly slipping further down into the depths.

The water was cold, engulfing her and pulling her delicate chocolate colored hair from her porcelain skin, only interrupted by the freckles dancing across her face. Something brushed her leg and she tried to let out a yelp, more bubbles. Something with a scaly texture wrapped around her ankle, sludge mixed with the scales forced the grip to tighten. Her eyes were open but her vision was black.

Flailing her arms, trying to grab something, the pressure on the girl's lungs grew stronger and her fear was taking over, forcing her body to tremble. It was a struggle to hold her breath. The pure terror that coursed through her veins tightening down on them, and her body felt like it was going to implode from all the pressure. The current pulled her dainty body down, further into the sea.

Something slimy slithered its way across her skin. Squirming in what remained of the white dress she had worn earlier that night; she tried to do anything she could to break free, but nothing worked. She was sucked even further into the water; the creature's arms wrapping around her, trapping her in a cocoon. A lingering burning feeling traced the area on her skin where it made contact.

Tightening its squeeze.

Crash!!

Metal pots and pans sent jarring noises through the household, emitting from the kitchen. Waking me from my sleep. Jumping from the bed out of fear, I pull the covers back around my shoulders. The noise echoed again. With a slight jump, I found myself tugging at the bottom of my shirt. My right foot slowly fell against the carpet dragging me closer to the door. The air in the room felt tight, almost suffocating.

My heart flew at a million miles per second, ramming itself into my rib cage; I cringe as I listen to muffled whispers from downstairs. My feet were cold, and bare on the hardwood floor. There was a ripping sound, was that a cereal bag? So much fear coursed through me, my confusion hadn't even had the chance to catch up to the rest of my emotions.

Running my hand over the cream colored wall as I took another step soundlessly towards where I thought the noises were coming from; the kitchen, I was holding my breath.

The noises sounded again, simultaneously shooting my heart into my throat and causing my breath to hitch with a squeak. Pausing to see if anyone, or anything noticed, and as I did, the entire house fell silent. A kind of quiet that hurt your ears. I could hear the sound of my eyelids when they fluttered closed and flicked back open almost instantaneously.

Within what seemed to be an hour there was a slight grumble that filled the air. I let out one short breath before drawing in some fresh air relieving my aching lungs. A few more steps, before I entered a large hallway. Identical doors mirrored the walls. All were dark and shut, and probably locked tight with a key. Except for one.

At the end of the hallway, the kitchen light grew brighter. Same with the noises. My hands were cold so I folded them into the crease of my elbows allowing little to no warmth.

My heart was now at an unbearable speed, my hands were growing sweaty. I wanted the noises to stop so I could just run back up to bed. They were muffled and hard to understand, but still very loud. I hoped as I got closer they would be more clear. How were my parents not hearing these noises?

It sounded like somebody was muttering to themselves. Shaking my head I hadn't noticed how close to the wall I was, accidentally hitting my hand against the door frame, I froze. The noises stopped as the light suddenly went out. Throwing my hands over my mouth I try to hold back the scream.

Leaning my frigid body against the wall my breaths fell into my hands in quick succession. Whatever was just around the corner must have known I was there. My lungs started to collapse inside my rib cage and one small tear fell from my eye.

The light flickered back on and the noises started back up again. Pulling my hands from my face I caught a glimpse of a long shadow protruding from the door to the kitchen, one last small word was muttered from the kitchen before the light flickered off again.

"Bloody bastard" Broke the silence.

My eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness that wrapped its cold arms around everything. Things grew silent before the lights flicked on again. For the second time, my eyes burn, trying desperately to adjust to the blinding light. Rubbing my eyes I just barely caught a glimpse of a little a green object that scurried across the floor. It went from being behind the freezer, buzzing around the room, until I was finally able to focus on the creature standing next to the island.

"Wha--What's there?" The words were barely audible hidden behind heavy breathing and a racing heart. I was shocked they came out at all.

Finally making my way around the corner I saw a tiny figure standing on the hardwood floor. It seemed as if their back was turned to me. I couldn't quite make out any details. I wondered how long it would take for me to get to my mother's fancy kitchen knives hung neatly on the opposing wall.

A noise drew my attention to the other side of the room where a small figure stood; hair as red as the damp leaves on a cold autumn morning. Large eyes peer towards me causing my body to freeze. The figure only stood barely over a foot high. It looked to be a tiny person with even smaller features and tiny clothes. My jaw slowly became heavy causing the lower half of my face to droop in shock.

"Oh mugfuts." The little creature said with a snap of his fingers before stomping his petite foot. I would say his foot wasn't any bigger than half the size of my thumb.

"Wha-- What are you?" I try to speak out but the words fall with an awkward tone. His green eyes bore into mine causing me to stumble backwards from the spot I had effortlessly held so well.

" Oi, lassie! Ya git tree wishes, use 'em wisely." The tang of an Irish accent fell from his chapped lips quickly allowing him barely enough time to line them with his tongue.This little man grabbed the knob of one of the lower cabinets and pulled himself upward onto the kitchen table leaving me amazed to see his tiny body hoisted so easily into the air.

So many questions rushed through my head at that point. I couldn't figure out why there was such a small person in my kitchen. Why he was trying to grant me three wishes?

"Me name's Ailis, use it with ease. Ever hear of me ol' mate Rumple?" Pulling some magazines from the middle of the table he sat himself down on the thin booklets. He wore a long emerald tailcoat that should have been black, offsetting his slightly lighter pants. His hand slid into the side of his jacket disappearing for a quick second before he pulled out a tiny hammer. Licking his thumb he started rubbing at the brass on his shoes.

"Rumple? As in Rumpelstiltskin?" I couldn't help but think: Since when were fairy tales real? What did he mean by have you ever heard of Rumple?

"Oh, ye don't know who I am." A large smile crosses his face as his bushy red eyebrows furrow forward making him look wicked. Those emerald green eyes held a sinister gaze in them. Rubbing his hands together he threw the hammer onto the table. It barely even made a sound as he pulled himself from the magazines he clicked his heels together.

A small trail of green flickered from his shoes. Floating through the sky was a stream of glittering clover-green sparkles. It bounced and swiveled until it had formed a large circle where an image began to appear. Taking a step back I watched in shock. Goosebumps covered my skin; a light breeze started to whisp my hair around my head. Another step back forcing my spine to touch the wall.

The image became darker; I could finally make it out. It was almost like a bad infomercial.

The television like window showed green grass and rolling hills. The images panned across an open field with rolling hills from a bird's point of view, soaring high through the clouds. Before I could take another breath the scene had gone black, and gold letters began to appear.

L-E-P-R-E-C-H-A-U-N-S

Slowly, letter by letter was painted on the background with a scripted font before they faded in the same direction. Before I could react or even breathe my vision had began to blur. The leprechaun stood, looking at me.

"Uh oh." I heard his thick accent as I began to teeter on my feet before my vision fully disappeared and the floor started to run up to meet me.

And everything went black.

Within moments I was fading back into consciousness. The darkness disappearing just as quickly as it had taken hold of me. I try my best to glance up at the ceiling. My eyes finally adjusting to the lack of light in the room. Leaning up in my bed I found myself back in my bedroom. The sheets wrapped tightly around my body as the bead of sweat forms on the back of my neck. I shook my head.

What kind of crazy dream was I having?

I tried to get out of bed, wanting to grab a glass of water before heading back to sleep. I needed something to calm my parched throat. I swallowed trying to get the feeling to going away but it was stuck, daughtingly annoying.

As I gently walk across the floor towards the bathroom I quickly turn on the faucet bending over to take a drink. The cold water rushing over my face as I gulp up as much of its sweetness as I can. Shutting the faucet off I quickly turn on my heel heading back towards the comfort of my bed. I wanted nothing more than just to lay down and fall asleep. Once at my bed I pull the sheets back over my body, holding them close to my chest as I stare yet again at the ceiling. The white paint emotionless as it holds the mundane thoughts of the day before.

I try forcing my eyes closed, hoping for the thoughts of my dream to drift away into the darkness as I fall back asleep. This was without success as I stare carefully into the silence. There was no sound in the entire house. Even the dustmites that roam happily in the middle of the night slowly forming on all the tables were still.

My heart was racing in my chest though. Something about the dream felt all too real. There was nothing that could explain the sensation in my body. My fingers tingling, my mind racing, my heart wondering. Something was lurking just around the corner.

Rolling over on my side I try to pull myself into a comfortable position. Tomorrow was the first day of college and I needed to get some sleep before classes. Glancing around the dingy dormroom that I lived in alone. Luckily there was no roommate to bother. My heart started racing even faster as I begin thinking about tomorrow's classes. Would I like my professors? Would I get along with the other kids? Would they force me to have a roommate once all the students got here next week?

I flicked the remote towards the television flipping the t.v. on. A ridiculously boring infomercial fills the air. Hopefully this will help me get to sleep. This is what I get for signing up for early classes. I pull the sheets over my head as I once again force my eyes shut. Holding them closed as long as I possibly can until it becomes easier. The world drifting away as I begin falling back to sleep.