I'm running.

It's chasing me again, out for my blood.

My heart palpitated against my ribcage profusely, my lungs struggling to gather enough air. My feet throbbed terribly, begging me to just lie down. But I couldn't do that, not when that thing's still on my tail. Trees fenced me like a prison, with only two sides to go, front, where an entire darkness stretches, or back, where the thing is. And so, I continued bolting, until a cabin came into view.

In those few moments, my hopes skyrocketed and I finally felt a weight being lifted off my back. However, it seemed that God had something else in mind for me.

Just when I was a few feet away from the cabin, I tripped.

My foot caught on a root and I faceplanted the muddy ground. Panting, I turned on my back, facing the sky. There weren't any signs of the thing coming. The sky was pitch-black, nothing in sight but ever-growing darkness. The trees swaying in the breeze seemed gloomy, a solemn aura lingered, their leaves parachuting down like endless tears.

All of a sudden, a dreading feeling inched closer. Is it here? But I don't see anything... I thought. But I felt something approaching. I turned my head at all directions, frantically looking for anything that could be the cause of my fear. I couldn't find anything, albeit the dread grew.

I could feel it. Something was here. Something wanted me.

Sobbing sounds filled my tears, but they weren't mine... The trees?

Leaves scattered everywhere, flying in front of my face and obscuring my view, but the crying was definitely getting louder by the second. I thrashed my arms around, smacking the leaves out of the way so that I could find the thing. The dread grew and my body felt freezing cold but at the same time, smoldering hot. It was coming closer. And then, the dread reached it's limit.

It was here.

-

"What's wrong?"

A deep, calming voice greeted me and I found a pair of arms around me. My cheeks felt cold and wet, and I realised that I was panting heavily. I looked into those electric-blue eyes that were filled with concern, and somehow, I melted a little.

" Shhh, the same dream again?"

I nodded.

" It's okay... it's only a dream."

He stroked my hair, pulling me closer to him and gave me a kiss on my head. The dread from the nightmare dissipated quickly, and was replaced with warmth and love. I hugged him tightly, shocking both of us. He paused for a moment before squeezing me back, a reassuring smile plastered on his face. While I was glad that he responded positively, I was confused about my sudden action. Why did I hug him like that? In the 7 years of our relationship, 8 next week, we didn't usually hug. Kisses and maybe the casual cuddle. Despite the questions buzzing in my head, flurries of happiness exploded within when he hugged me back.

" It's alright, I'm here with you, and I'm here for you."

His voice continued on showering me with with sweet words, making me feel right at home. His words lulled me to sleep, until they were just part of the background but nevertheless, I hung on to each and every one of his words. Drowsiness beckoned me, and I succumbed, drifting into a blissful sleep, right in his arms.

" I'm here for you, always..."

-

" Briiiinngg. Briiiiinggg"

The sound of the alarm clock disrupts my sleep and awakens me. I expanded my legs and arms, taking up the whole bed. " Jeremy?"

I got out of bed and started looking for him, going into the Living Room. He wasn't playing video games like he usually did on saturdays, he wasn't in the toilet, and he wasn't in the kitchen either. It was 11am, so he wouldn't be out somewhere with his friends, I know so since he would inform me or because he won't ever go out on weekends unless it's 3+. So where exactly did he go?

The eerie silence crept in, the emptiness settling.

And then the realisation dawns on me.

Jeremy died 2 months ago.