I think I was getting this stalking thing way in my head because, I was starting to have nightmares. Most came as vivid images and flashes that remained etched in my mind. It was starting to scare me. Unfortunately, I didn't have anyone to tell this to, and I was sure that if someone were to hear this, they would be creeped out as well.

On one particular night, after I had put Lisie to bed, I retreated to my own room to have a good night's rest and not long after, my first nightmare started.

I saw the black cloaked figure that had been stalking me all this time, appear and reappear, trying to get close to me and my child. It worked at first, because I noticed Lisie was no longer with me, she was gone. Just like that, woosh, vanished into thin air. I screamed and kicked and shouted. This all took place in my bedroom.

But when I started calling out to Lisie to come back and never leave me, I appeared by the roadside. I looked around and noticed there was not a soul in sight and there was a thick forest directly in front of me. I dreaded what was about to come. Was this about to be my last day of survival? Was I about to die? Was I about to be used as an exemplary? I ran my hands down the side of my face and heaved a deep sigh.

A screeching sound deafened my ears and I looked up at the dark grey clouds just to see huge bat-like creatures en masse, heading in my direction. I began taking steps back. Okay, I wouldn't call it that because I was on my hands and knees trying to get away faster from them and by now, they had gotten close to me. I used my fingertips to block my eardrum so the high-pitched sound would at least be minimal but, it didn't work.

I didn't want to die. I just wanted a peaceful life with my kid. She was my only hope, my survival and my driving force. I had to be alive for her, I had to strive to live because of her. But at the same time, I felt weak. I bent my head down and willed for the creatures to take me. I was tired of screaming and crying. And I also realized maybe, I might have even lost my voice.

So, when I felt a pure sickening pain from the flesh of my leg being beaten, I didn't scream or cry. I just gritted my teeth and tried holding on. Perhaps, I might be able to survive this. I may be able to get my kid back, and then everything would be alright. I didn't cry when the creatures pranced on my head, I didn't cry when their teeth pierced into my flesh, I didn't cry when I was being beaten with their wings, I didn't cry from the screeching sound in my ears. I just felt numb.

Totally helpless and unable to move. I knew if I did, the kill would just be more painful and merciless. I could feel my blood seeping out from my legs and trickling to the ground. Pain vibrated in every part of my body and I felt my life slowly ebbing away. There was no way I had any strength or will power in me left for survival.

I was floating. Floating into the deep calm waters and I couldn't see anything. Everywhere was dark and still, but, I knew I had to have plunged into the water during the feast of the creatures on me. What was happening? Was I being rescued? Or was I being left to die from all the wounds on my flesh?

I felt myself going deeper into the still dark waters and I told myself this was it. This was what the creatures wanted. They didn't want a human's existence. They wanted to take over and control the world. They didn't want any other living creature to survive apart from them. It was right then, realization dawned on me.

I was about to finally allow the darkness to take me when I felt a blinding light shine on me. It pierced through my closed eyelids and I resisted the urge to open my eyes for a while. Then, all of a sudden, I felt myself being pulled up out of the darkness that seemed to engulf me. I let myself be saved because, I knew perhaps life had another purpose for me.

........

Mehnnn, I don't even know how I felt while writing this chapter. I was a bit confused at first and felt conflicting emotions which I wasn't sure my readers would understand, putting what I felt or what was in my head down for you guys to read but, I just had to. And there you have it. So if you did enjoy reading this chapter, just click that STAR BUTTON at the bottom of your screen and tell me how you felt about this chapter in the comments section. So till when next I update, see you all❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ and most importantly, stay safe!