✧

Whenever a fire is occurring or a car is speeding your way, the first instinct is to run in the opposite direction. Fear of the worst and the desperation in surviving is what keeps us safe, but what happens when the mind stops perceiving what's real and what's not?

Often, trauma is dismissed as something that can be slept off. Maybe taking a few days off from work or school or maybe taking a walk, but it's never the case. Trauma is felt all around, infesting the mind and body with the pain and memories of its cause. It circulates through the blood and pretends to disappear, but all it takes is just one seemingly common thing to resurface it.

The smallest of things – the smell of alcohol, a song in the grocery store, a soft whisper – the everyday occurrences can convince the body that it's in danger.

And Mia's become a victim to such.

As she lays in her bed staring at the ceiling, the rain clattering against her window sends her back to that night. It was raining when Dimitri ambushed her and forced her into the lake. She clutches tightly onto the covers and attempts to fade the noise, but everything is becoming louder through every minute.

Dimitri isn't here. He's hiding somewhere far from her and probably believes she's dead. The last he knows is that he had succeeded in drowning her, but Edward's unlikely save granted her a second chance, but after Halloween's attack, she's not certain anymore.

I'm not in the lake. Dimitri isn't here. You're safe. You're in bed and you're no longer in danger.

Mia repeats those words as if they were a prayer. She hopes that whatever holy divine exists will save her from this endless torture, but the rain is getting louder and insisting that she's back at the lake.

In the corner of her room, she notices the familiar silhouette of her father watching her. He's hiding in the shadows like a predator hunting its prey, and for the first time, Mia starts believing there's a chance she's losing her mind.

"What are you doing here?" Her voice is barely a breath, but her father hears her clearly.

"I'm here for you, darling," Dimitri voices from the corner, the lightning casting a slight shadow on his face, but even then, she can see him clearer as day.

Mia refuses to believe this is actually real. Her father couldn't possibly be in her room since Isobel made sure to cast protective charms around the house. It's impossible to get inside without permission, so this must surely just be a dream.

"You're not real," she shakes her head, clutching tighter onto the sheets like a frightened child. "This is just a dream."

As if her words had been an offense, Dimitri walks out of the shadows. There's a scar above his brow, the one she had caused. It's a reminder of that night and while she has various scars on her abdomen, his is nothing compared to the damage she was left with.

"Believe what you want," Dimitri moves closer, but her fear has left her paralyzed. He's the only person to ever evoke this feeling and she hates him even more for it. "But when have your dreams ever been anything but real?"

She starts recalling every dream she has ever had of him. The first had been of the night when he drowned her and the second was when he placed the Dark Mark on her. One already came true, which means the other still has yet to become a reality. Her dreams have been accurate and while she wants to believe they're not glimpses into the future, her instinct is telling her to believe otherwise.

"Just tell me, why are you here?"

His silence is a mock, a torment meant to be casted into an everlasting cycle. The answers she seeks will never be granted and he's aware the unknown is a step closer to her madness. If he breaks her last remaining barriers, then her destiny will be fulfilled. Everything he's ever dreamed she'd become will come true and what a better way to start than by breaking her spirit.

Parading closer, he outstretches his hand in her direction. She moves the furthest she's able to, but just when she gets a chance to escape, a strong force keeps her in place. Its immense pressure traps her and despite her attempts in liberating herself, he's much stronger than she'll ever be.

Just like Bellatrix had done, Dimitri presses his palms on her temples. A bright light surges from his hands, emitting the most agonizing power to ever be experienced. She writhes in his hold and attempts to free herself, but this curse is weakening her through every movement.

The same black veins that appeared the first time resurface. Extending from her neck all the way to her temples, its dark flames start burning her as if a fire had been ignited.

However, the second she pushes him off, her strength sends her falling backwards into the darkness. She tries holding on to anything, but there's nothing other than an emptiness. Cold and suffocation consume her as she falls to the ground, but this isn't anything new.

The lake is holding her trapped again. She's back into its grip and unlike the other time, no one is there to bring her back. Her lifeline is no longer present.

He abandoned her.

The lake is still holding her captive and-

Her father.

Dimitri stands before her again, but is now having no trouble emerging from the shadows. He tightens his grip on her throat and pushes her into the water, forcing her to experience the worst night of her existence again.

It's been months since having her nightmares and a part of her is worried that Edward's departure is the instigator. He was always able to keep them away, but now they've returned due to his abandonment.

Freezing waters, calloused hands, and the sharp blade, all of them are carving into her until leaving its scars. Maybe this is a punishment for having been so naive to the explicit. Offering a lending hand and welcoming a stranger has never gotten her anywhere, and now all the circumstances are forcing her into surviving the surge of an endless storm.

Accepting a traitor's hand brought an affliction of credence and all this time, the air she breathed had been nothing but water. She's becoming one with the lake and for the first time, she understands it's the place where she belongs.

Shivers run down her spine as her throat closes in and the water inflates her lungs like a balloon. She attempts shoving him off, but his resilience grants him sufficient strength to keep going.

Dimitri's determination ceases her protests and strands her in this everlasting death. She flails in his hold and tries resurfacing for air, but when looks up at him, she realizes it's no longer her father pushing her into the water.

It's Edward.

And just like that, she's no longer the same resilient girl she once was. Seeing the man she loves insistent on hurting makes her realize that all these months, she had been gazing at nothing but a fantasy.

Edward is pinning her down, refusing to let her escape the lake's grasp. She tries using all her strength against him, but his strength can never be compared to hers. To him, she's nothing but a frail human while he's the epitome of power and force.

Who is she to win against him?

Nothing.

He's the instigator for this. He's the reason for reliving this night. All of this, it's all his fault, and she's not even surprised. If he had been capable of destroying her without remorse, destroying her last bit wouldn't be unexpected.

The bitter taste of his memory will forever be a face in every place and she despises him for not keeping up to his promise. He said it would be like he never existed, but even in her dreams, he's there. He's everywhere and it angers her that not even then does he keep his promises.

As the lake becomes a part of her, the black door of death resurfaces from its depths. She's now liberated and despite attempting to reach the surface, she sinks into the abyss until there's nothing left other than to accept losing the trace of him.

Just when she believes the end is coming, a sinister figure appears in the ashen waters. His pale complexion is blinding and his snake-like features are haunting. A faint green light surrounds him as his bony hand and black clothing float in her direction.

Mia had tried so hard to prevent this day from coming, but the Dark Lord has managed to torment her with the knowledge that the worst is yet to come. He's now haunting her dreams and reminding her that Dimitri, Bellatrix, and Dolohov were only the beginning, and she had been foolish to believe her destiny could have been avoided.

"All color will fade to grey."

Her father's words find her all the way to the bottom of the lake, but they're different now. They used to feel like a warning, but now they're a certainty. They're no longer a threat, but a promise her prophecy will be fulfilled.

Nothing in this nightmare is real, but her mind insists this is actually happening. The cold water, the pain, the sounds, everything is making her believe this is nothing but the truth. She's back to that night and now she's forced into reliving it in her dreams.

However, just when she believes the worst is yet to come, a pair of arms cradle her as if to protect her from the monsters, but monsters have also disguised themselves as protectors.

"No, don't touch me!" Mia pushes their hands off, but they remain adamant on offering their comfort.

"Shh, it's okay. It was just a dream," Isobel holds her in a tight embrace, her hand caressing her hair in an attempt of soothing her panic. "I'm right here, Mia. I won't let anything hurt you. It was just a dream," she reassures her, unsure of what more to say given the fact that she's never seen her this way before.

Mia has always been composed and never had a nightmare this intense to the point she's screaming like she was being hunted. It terrifies her not being able to take her pain away, especially when a mother is supposed to keep the monsters away.

"I'm right here. You're safe."

Mia tries focusing on her reassurance, but everything is now spinning. A tightness gathers in her chest and makes it hard to breathe. She tries to remember how, but the world falling on her shoulders prevents her from finding the strength. Invisible hands keep holding her throat and forming a sense of dread. She's now consumed with a sense of being lost for good and nothing is helping her eradicate this feeling.

"I really thought this thing would work," Isobel reaches for the dreamcatcher Jacob had made, now feeling foolish for believing it would keep the nightmares away. "But I feel like maybe it's making it worse."

"I'm sorry," Mia manages to whisper, now ashamed for having placed the burden of comforting her onto her shoulders. "I didn't mean to wake you."

Isobel strokes her cheek and redirects her gaze to her, "You don't ever have to apologize. I will always be here for you."

Those words were once told to her by someone who claimed they would never leave. She wishes to believe them, but he's fractured her perception of those around her. She's afraid of becoming their burden and letting them see into her darkest parts. The only time she's allowed herself to do so, it returned to her like a boomerang and left a scar behind.

"Can I ask you something?" Isobel softly asks.

Mia only nods in response.

"You have been spending time with that Newton boy-"

"Not just him," she corrects.

"Look, what I'm trying to say is that whenever you're around him or others, it seems to take your mind off... him. Right?"

She only hums in response, now afraid of where her mother's heading.

Isobel sighs before continuing, "Sometimes you must take the signs and know it's time to move on."

Mia knows this is all coming from the goodness of her heart, but it feels like a slap on the face. She's been trying to move on, but the wound is still fresh. It's been over a month since he left and while she understands it's healthy to move past it, she's still angry and hurt at his betrayal.

"I'm not trying to pressure you, but perhaps finding someone good for you will be better."

Now that catches her attention.

"What?"

It's nearly comical to believe that Isobel is suggesting she becomes involved with someone already. If anything, this entire situation has made her less willing to open herself up again.

What's the point if they're just going to leave and use her fears against her?

"I just want you to be alright. I hate seeing you this way," Isobel tries fixing her words, but she can already tell it's too late. "I don't want you to feel like I'm pressuring you, but know that when you decide to get back out there, I'll support you through every step of the way."

Not wanting to start an argument, Mia simply settles on going back to sleep. Even if she's not intent on shutting her eyes, she doesn't want to continue having this conversation. The last thing on her mind is getting involved with someone, so in spite of her urge to argue against this, she chooses to remain silent.

"Alright, I love you," Isobel tucks her in and plants a kiss on her temple. "Good night."

Mia waits until she leaves before tossing the covers off and moving to the middle of the bed. She clutches her knees together and presses her back deep into the wall as if to remind herself that this is real. Her gaze remains fixed on the corner, the same one that hid a traitor behind it. Even if it was just a dream, she's still afraid the monsters will find her and turn her into one.

If she closes her eyes, everything will come true. She's exhausted, but she would rather never acquire a moment of sleep if it would ensure these nightmares wouldn't come to life.

__________________

"I did see something in the woods," Angela assures the entire table, claiming to have seen a large animal that night of the party.

"Totally, babe. I believe you," Eric holds her hand to offer his support, but there's a lack of sincerity in his voice.

Jessica seems to notice and doesn't waste time in commenting on it, "No, he doesn't. He's just trying to get lucky."

A nervous laugh escapes him, causing Angela to narrow her eyes at him suspiciously. "It was jet black and huge. On all fours, it was still taller than a person," she continues trying to prove her point, but it doesn't seem to be working. "A bear, maybe?"

"Or an alien," Mike jokes, earning a few laughs from the group. "You're lucky you didn't get probed."

Mia takes a sip of her coffee as she heads to them, but is unable to look past the Cullens' table. Her heart aches as the memories come rushing back and it isn't until now when she starts hating how close her friends' table is to their old one, but the first step in moving on is pretending they never existed in the first place, which is why she forces herself to look away and continue her path.

"Well, I saw it," Angela insists.

Their conversation fades into an abrupt silence once Mia takes the empty spot next to Mike. She tries ignoring their pitiful glances, but it's getting harder to do so when they're quite literally acting as if she's bound to break.

Bella squeezes her hand reassuringly from under the table, offering a gentle smile before resuming the conversation. "You know, you're not the only one. My dad's been getting reports at the station. Like, five hikers have been killed by some bear, but they can't find the bear."

Angela turns to her boyfriend and hums in triumph at her point being proven, which makes Eric nervously chuckle. "Last time you clowns doubt my girlfriend."

A different conversation starts taking place and Mike takes advantage of the moment. He turns to Mia with a semi-nervous glance and a tinge of excitement, "So... is our Mia back?"

As much as she wants to return to her old self, Mia's not entirely certain she will ever piece herself together. She feels pathetic for allowing a guy to affect her this much, but he was the one person she believed would never use her greatest fear against her, but she was wrong like always.

Still, it doesn't mean she's not willing to try, "Yeah, I guess."

Mike takes her by surprise when he leans forward for an embrace. She flinches at his touch, which is when he pulls away, "Sorry, I'm just excited to have you back." He seems much more nervous and like he's debating on continuing, "So, umm, I was wondering if maybe, you would like to see a movie with me?"

Mia's actually surprised he's asking her this. She's well aware of his crush on her and while she doesn't want to lead him on, going to the movies doesn't have to signify anything. Maybe they can invite the others to join just so he'd understand this is all amicable.

"That depends. What movie are you thinking of?"

Mike rubs his neck nervously as his face starts turning a bright shade of pink. "I was thinking we could watch Romeo and Juliet. I hear it's way better than the 1968 version."

Her heart practically drops at the mention of that movie. It's the one she and Edward had planned on watching. While she hates romance movies, she wanted to critique it by his side, but now imagining going to see it without him, only makes her unwilling to agree to such a ridiculous suggestion.

"No romance," Mia bluntly says and he feels like a fool for suggesting it.

He runs through the other movies and the only one that could maybe appear to be entertaining is an action one, but in all honesty, he would have preferred the first option. "Well, umm, there's Face Punch, but it's action movie."

"Perfect," she agrees and takes another sip of her bitter coffee. "Do you guys want to go see Face Punch with us?"

"Face Punch, yeah. Mike, we were supposed to watch that," Eric becomes visibly enthusiastic over the suggestion. "Remember the trailer, it was like... punch faces!"

"We should have seen Romeo and Juliet," Jessica frowns ever so slightly, not a fan of action movies.

"Maybe another time," Angela promises from being well aware romance is not a good choice after the heartbreak Mia went through.

Not too soon after, the group begins discussing what time and day they should go. After lots of deliberation, they settle on Friday at eight. It's the perfect time seeing as the movie isn't too long and they can head to the local diner after.

Mia's just grateful at getting the chance to return to her old life. Hanging out with her friends will help her forget all the mess she's become and while she knows she should probably look into this unknown curse attempted to be placed on her, she chooses to ignore it until it becomes a problem.

That is if it ever becomes one.

__________________

Friday night came faster than anticipated and despite the excitement coursing through her, the intense headache and overbearing aching in her body was making it hard to enjoy the evening. She blames it on the little sleep she's been getting, but the pain is becoming more prominent as the days pass.

While she tries not to think much of it, Mia can't prevent from worrying when seeing how much it's affecting her magic. She's been having trouble casting spells and whenever she gets remotely close, she ends up exhausted and much weaker. It's gotten terrible to the point her nose starts bleeding, forcing her to stop as it only terrifies her as to why it's happening.

Even though telling her mother would be the right thing, Mia doesn't want to worry her more than she already has. After Isobel learned she'd be coming to the movies with her friends, she became extremely overjoyed that she's moving on with her life.

How can Mia concern her with something that's probably nothing?

Now as she's waiting for Bella to arrive with their movie tickets, she tries brushing past everything to enjoy the evening. She really needs a fun night, so she's determined in obtaining it despite everything.

"So, Face Punch, huh?" Jacob asks Mike as a way to attempt creating small talk. "You like action movies?"

Mike gives a nonchalant shrug, "Not really, but Mia wanted to come see it, so here we are."

"Romance is awful, Mike," she argues and folds her arms across her chest.

Jacob playfully shoves her, "It isn't, M. You just haven't found the right movie."

"And I have no interest in finding it."

Jacob chuckles lightly, "Well, I heard this movie sucks. Bad."

"Great. Seems our money will go to waste then," Mia sighs heavily, already regretting having chosen it. "Where's Jessica and the others?"

"Angela got the stomach flu, so Eric is taking care of her," Mike doesn't appear to look good either, but she chooses not to say anything. "Jessica got stuck babysitting her cousins, so she expects a rundown of every detail of this movie once it's over."

"So, I guess it will be just us four," Jacob says, which is enough to make Mike turn to him with a sharp glare.

"Are you even old enough for this movie?" Mike would have preferred if it had just been him and Mia, but he didn't have the chance to make it clear to her since she invited everyone. "I mean, without adult supervision."

"Well, Bella's buying my ticket, so I'm all good," Jacob chooses to ignore his resentful tone, knowing it won't bring anything good if a scene erupts.

Bella finally arrives with their tickets, "Seems it will be just us four."

"Great," Jacob enthusiastically says.

"Great," Mike feigns his enthusiasm, but anyone can tell he's far from feeling it.

"Come on, Mikey. It'll be fun," Mia tries lightening up the mood as she takes the ticket and hands it to him. "Let's just try to enjoy the night."

Forcing a smile, Mike decides to agree and follows them into the theater. They hand their tickets and obtain their popcorn, quickly hurrying to their seats before the coming attractions start playing.

Bella and Jacob sit alongside the other while Mia ends up next to Mike. She can tell he wants to hold her hand by the way he's left it placed open on the armrest. Instead of giving much attention to it, she rests her hands on her lap and only reaches over to acquire popcorn. She focuses on what movies will be coming, but that's when the trailer for Scream appears.

It's the movie she looked forward to watching with Edward. Contrary to Romeo and Juliet, she has no trouble enjoying a good horror movie. Romances have never been her favorite, especially now more than ever. However, now that he's gone, she's not even looking forward to watching this horror film anymore.

It would only remind her that she was supposed to be here with him, but will never be able to ever again. The thing is, a part of her wishes to never see him again as she's not sure how much more she'd be able to take.

The lights dimming couldn't have happened at the most opportune time. She sighs in relief at getting the chance to focus on the movie, but not even fifteen minutes in, she regrets having chosen it. It's terrible and has awful dialogue. The actors are not even putting their hearts into the role and the special effects have to be the worst possible thing to have been created.

Yeah, Jacob was right. This movie sucks. Bad.

Mia suddenly notices Mike's hand clenching and when she looks over at him, she notices how pale and sickly he looks. "Woah, are you okay?"

Mike sharply blinks as a way to regain composure, but not even then does it help. "Okay, I think I'm gonna throw up," he dashes from his seat to the exit, prompting the others to follow after him and watch as he enters the nearest bathroom.

"What a marshmallow," Jacob chuckles, causing Mia and Bella to laugh. "You should have invited someone with a stronger stomach, M."

"Maybe he got the stomach flu that's roaming around," Mia suggests, all three of them taking a seat on the set of stairs nearby.

"Hopefully none of us end up getting it," Bella runs a hand through her hair as she rests her head on her boyfriend's shoulder.

"I can't afford to miss anymore school," she rests against the wall, stretching her legs out to feel more comfortable. "I'm still struggling to catch up on assignments, so I better not get sick."

"At least you won't miss it because of him," Jacob doesn't have to mention Edward's name to know it's him he's referring to.

"Jacob," Bella warns him, elbowing him on the ribs to warn him not to mention the topic.

Waving him off, Mia chooses not to allow the mention of him to continue affecting her. "Don't worry about it, Bells, and he's right. At least I'll be missing school because of an illness and not for some traitor."

"I know it doesn't matter what I think, but I never liked him," Jacob admits and she can't help but chuckle at the obvious.

"Wow, really? I had no idea," Mia sarcastically says, earning a laugh from the couple.

Rolling his eyes teasingly, he clears his throat before continuing, "What I'm trying to say is that while I know how much you care for him, I just think you're better off without him."

"Maybe we shouldn't talk about this," Bella's afraid this conversation might trigger something in Mia, especially after having witnessed the anger and resentment he left her with.

"You're right, Jake," Mia simply says while staring ahead. "It's better that he left. At least I won't be able to hurt him and his family anymore."

That seems to catch their attention. They turn to her in disbelief as if she had said something ridiculous.

"You? Hurt them?" Bella scoffs, shaking her head in astonishment.

"Is that what he did? Make you believe you're capable of hurting them?" Jacob is appalled that someone who claimed to love her would go to these lengths just to end their relationship. "That's ridiculous. You could never harm anyone. What the hell is the matter with him?"

Mia wishes to explain that Edward did have a point, but she can't reveal anything without revealing her secret. He's still unaware the legends of the tribe are true and she's not about to be the one to tell him. If anything, him remaining oblivious to the dark secrets of the world would keep him safe, which is all she wants for him and Bella.

"He's a complete idiot. That's what's wrong with him," Bella rolls her eyes, wishing to give him a handful of everything he deserves. She hates what he did to her friend and would love nothing more than to hurt him like he hurt Mia, but she knows it's something her best friend would be able to do with ease.

"Think of this as something good," he tries offering words of comfort, but is aware that maybe he might be making it worse. "Sorry, I shouldn't be talking about this."

Mia is quiet for a moment before breaking the silence, "No, you're right. If he thought of me as such a monster, then maybe I am better off without him."

"But you still love him and it's okay to admit it," Bella advises her and Mia nearly laughs at such a thought.

"I don't," she forces herself to say, but her friend knows her well enough to know it's far from the truth.

"If you didn't love him, you wouldn't still be angry with him," Bella's clear reading of her makes her regret having lied. It's awful having someone that can see right through you, and while it's all she's ever wanted, she's also afraid it would make her lose her.

"Well, it doesn't matter now," Mia looks down at her hands, not understanding how her life became so wrecked in such a short amount of time.

Before any of them can respond, Mike walks out of the bathroom looking much more sickly. "Well, I need to go home."

Jacob glares up at him with a condescending look that definitely doesn't go unnoticed by Mia and Bella.

Mike tries explaining himself, "I- I was feeling sick before the movie."

Jacob continues staring at him unimpressed and with frustration. He shakes his head and scoffs in disbelief at his reasoning, only worsening the already tense atmosphere.

"What is your problem?" Mike questions, unable to comprehend why he's so angry with him.

"Right now, you're my problem," Jacob stoically answers him and Bella turns to him in concern. "Feeling sick? Maybe you need to go to the hospital." There's an uncomfortable silence for a second before Jacob suddenly stands up to get in Mike's face. "You want me to put you in the hospital?"

Bella is quick to prevent her boyfriend from making a mistake, "Jake, Jake, the movie's over. What are you doing?"

Mia moves in between him and Mike, hoping it fends off any possible fight from occurring. "The movie was awful, so it's not like we missed anything good."

"You're... really hot," Bella holds his hand and glances up at him with concern, now worried that maybe he could have caught the flu. "You feel like you have a fever. Are you okay?"

Jacob loosens his temper and takes a deep breath, his expression now full of unsettlement and fear. He was feeling well when the movie started, but this sudden anger started consuming him to the point it made him forget sense of everything. "I don't know what's happening," he breathes heavily and looks at the both of them before saying, "I gotta go."

The three of them watch as he storms out of the movie theater and Mike simply glares in disbelief at his fading silhouette. "Dude is weird."

Something is definitely wrong and Mia can only hope it's nothing serious. Not everything has to be related to anything strange, which is why she chooses to believe this is just the flu.