Azuriyah's eyes opened in a split second, a flicker of hope like a stubborn ember amidst the consuming darkness that loomed over her existence. With each passing moment, her senses gradually returned, but all she found was a darkness, swallowing her whole. Shadows danced around her at the fringes of her vision, croaking out hushed whispers of the realities she herself couldn't comprehend.

Yet, everything felt disturbingly real.

Suddenly the whispering grew louder, as the words reached every corner, the voices repeated in languages long forgotten:

"Salvum nos, ad mortem מגיהינום..."

Then, as abruptly as they'd begun, the voices ceased, as if halted by time itself.

Azuriyah called out into the void, her voice filled with desperation for solace and understanding.

Her heart pounded against her ribcage, beating at the rhythm of fear. She had hoped that the orchestrator of the madness could reveal the reasons behind their whispers through the sheer force of her anguish. But the silent remained unyielding signaling her futility.

It was as though she had stepped into an alternate dimension, a realm where the human species had vanished without a trace.

With each advancing stride, it felt like shivers slithered down her spine. Every time her feet came in contact with the frigid touch of the water, her flesh shuddered; as the dark air grew chillier, her blood ran cold.

"Is anybody there?" she pleaded into the darkness, fear and desperation dripped from her words. "Please, Somebody. Help me!" Yet, only the emptiness of the darkness replied.

As seconds stretched on, each moment feeling like an eternity, a scarlet aura began to materialise behind Azuriyah, slowly enveloping her. Azuriyah's gaze drifted downwards, only to find her feet disappearing into the swirling mist below.

Turning around, she was met with the sight of a weapon emanating a potent aura. It bore a peculiar resemblance to a dagger as it hovered in the air whilst casting the only source of light in the darkness. Intrigued, Azuriyah's curiousity compelled her steps forward, as if drawn by a magnetic force.

Examining the weapon, she noticed some ancient markings engraved: "אבנית"

Despite her initial hesitation, Azuriyah reached out to touch it, feeling a faint pulse of energy reverberate through her fingertips. It was as tough a connection had been forged between them.

"Woah," she said, her voice filled with wonder and belief as the sword brought a sense of comfort.

Encouraged by this sensation, she attempted to grasp the weapon. However, as her fingers made contact with its blade handle, a searing agony shot through her veins. Releasing the weapon, it clattered loudly, the sound resonating in her ear canals. In that moment, it felt as though Death itself had brushed against her soul.

***

Then, as if in response to her desperate plea, Azuriyah's eyelids snapped open.

Her eyes scanned her cluttered, dimly lit room with furrowed brows, as if seeking solace from what had transpired. As the first delicate rays of dawn tiptoed into her room, she hastily propped herself on her bed.

It was a dream.

One that returned to torment her at that.

Caught in the golden rays, danced the dust in the air as her alarm began blaring. However, Azuriyah still lingered in the hazy realm between dreams and reality, causing its noise to fade into the recesses of her mind.

I've been having this dreams for the past week. Maybe this isn't just a dream.

But that's impossible. Right?

Denial was no longer a refuge she could seek in times of reassurance.

She found herself in contemplation, debating whether to confide in her aunt for therapy. What if her aunt thought she was ill? Maybe the time wasn't right. Azuriyah released a heavy sigh as her mind ceased its battle with itself. The blaring alarm pierced the early morning air, making it impossible for Azuriyah to ignore any longer.

"Okay! I'm awake..." she groaned, reaching to silence the pestilent sound of the alarm.

A yawn escaped her lips as her fingertips began to gently trace the contours of her face, like a painter's brush on a canvas. Suddenly, the intrusion of aunt Yasmine's voice shattered the fragile tranquility.

"Azuriyah, wake up, or you will be late!"

With a sigh of frustration, Azuriyah replied, "Okay aunt Yas!"

Suddenly, a gentle chime of a bell emanated from Azuriyah's phone, drawing her attention. As furrowed lines etched on her forehead, Azuriyah reached for her phone wondering who could be texting her at this moment in time. As she retrieved her phone, nestled on the bedside table, she discovered two messages from her friend, Lilian. Reading the words "Exam..." confusion clouded her mind until realisation struck like lightning:

"The math exam!"

In an instant, Azuriyah released herself from the hands of warmth, snatching up her towel from the top corner of the door. With purposeful strides, she darted to the bathroom, the door rusty hinges protested softly, emitting a low groan as the door swung inward. She then flicked on the light switch, illuminating the room.

Azuriyah retrieved her toothbrush within the cabinet beside the mirror as she then squeezed toothpaste on the bristles. As she faced herself in the mirror, her mind couldn't shake off the haunting remnants of the dream. She hoped they would fade with time, as they usually did, but today they lingered stubbornly.

Each time these dream returned, they progressively extended similar to a YouTube trailer of a movie unfolding the events that were about to occur. Trying to shake off the unease, she resumed her morning routine, the rhythmic sound of her toothbrush and her teeth served as temporary distraction.

Stepping into the shower, Azuriyah turned on the switch, allowing the cascading water to wash away any remaining sleep and uncertainty within her.

***

Azuriyah finished bathing and drying herself before she glanced at the clock, realising that half an hour had passed in what felt like mere minutes.

Emerging from the bathroom, she rushed towards her room with her hands holding a towel that wrapped around her hair. Anxious glances at her phone punctuated Azuriyah's hurried entry into her room, a stark reminder of her lateness.

As the clock raced against time, she swiftly unscrewed the cap of the rich body lotion that laid solemnly in the drawer of the desk. Its scent released a comforting embrace. As her hands moved in practised motions, the cream melted into her skin, leaving behind a soft, radiant glow -  a shield against the ashy aftermath of water's touch. a familiar foe for her Black skin.

With hurried movement, Azuriyah made her way to the closet, but her clumsy toe had other plans, colliding with a stray book lying on the ground.

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" she shouted, hopping on one leg and clutching the other in an attempt to ease the pain. "I'm definitely putting clean my room on my to do list."

Once the pain subsided , she limped over to the closet, her eyes darting around the morning chaos in search of a suitable attire.

"Good day to be playing hide and seek clothes!" she muttered under her breath.

Swiftly selecting a white shirt, a cozy sweater, blue jeans, and worn-out white Nike sneakers, she pieced together an outfit. Despite her best efforts, her hair had not been cooperating and her lateness resulted in her having to go to school with her afro out.

After securing her glasses in their case, Azuriyah stashed them in her bag and then grabbed her phone and slung her bag over her shoulder.

I think I have everything now... I think.

Azuriyah's shoulder slumped, resigned to the fact that even if she had forgotten something, there was no turning back now; time was against her. Glancing at her phone, she noticed the time - 7:51. Maybe she could sneak in a little snack before setting off for school. With determined steps, she left her room and descended the stairs.

The wooden floor welcomed her with a creak as Azuriyah's reached downstairs. The tantalising scent of sizzling bacon and syrup-drenched pancakes enveloped her, overpowering her sense of urgency. Her stomach growled in agreement, sounding like lions preparing for battle.

Rushing into the kitchen, Azuriyah planted a quick kiss on her aunt's cheek before retrieving a plate from the cabinet. The sight of the bacon and pancakes waiting on the kitchen counter near the electric stove only heightened her hunger.

"Someone's excited," her aunt remarked with a smile as she flipped a pancake.

"Who wouldn't be after seeing all this food?" Azuriyah retorted, a grin spreading across her face as she retrieved a fork and plated four pieces of bacon and three pancakes.

Seated at the dining table, Azuriyah indulged in the luxurious feast before her. The savoury  bacon paired perfectly with the sweet pancakes. As she took her first bite, Azuriyah could feel a symphony of flavours dancing on her taste buds.

"Well, thank you so much for leaving me some!" her aunt teased, eyeing Azuriyah's plate.

"Sorry! Couldn't help myself," replied Azuriyah between bites, her mouth already half-full.

As the gentle morning light streamed through the kitchen window, aunt Yasmine expertly manoeuvred the golden pancakes on the sizzling pan whilst adjusting the heat with precision to ensure perfection. Her gaze shifted to Azuriyah, a subtle smile gracing her lips.

"So, how's school been lately?" exclaimed aunt Yasmine, breaking the momentary silence.

"Same old, Nerissa being a pest per usual. You know, if I had a bug repellent, boy oh boy I would use it on her!" Azuriyah chuckled, savoring the laughter shared with her aunt.

Upon this joyful moment, she noticed her phone vibrating. Azuriyah wiped her greasy hands on her jeans as she looked at her phone noticing Lilian was calling her. Swiping to answer, she placed the phone on speaker.

"What's up, Lilian?"

"Azu, where are you!?" spoke Lilian in a low hushed yet urgent whisper mixed with the loud voices of the students in the hallway.

"At home. Why?" replied Azuriyah, confusion creeping into her voice as she chucked another piece of bacon in her mouth.

"Oh I don't know, maybe because school starts in 30 minutes and we have Math's first period. Did I forget to mention we have a math exam?" Lilian's words hit Azuriyah like a bucket of cold water.

Checking the time on her phone - 8:02 - Azuriyah's heart raced with panic. "Crap! Er- I'll call you later," she muttered as she ended the call.

How did time go by so quickly?!

Hastily, Azuriyah grabbed her bag and placed the phone in the back pocket of her jeans. She cleared her plate into the sink and then hurried out the door whilst bellowing:

"Goodbye, aunt Yasmine!"

Unfortunately, her aunt's goodbye got lost in the loud closing of the door.

Azuriyah pushed open the gate in front of her home, stepping out onto St. Charles Avenue with a sense of urgency. The school, a mere 30 minute expedition on foot, loomed in near distance as the clock inched towards 8:30. Racing down her street, the trees whispered softly to the breeze whilst tousling with her hair.

Her eyes flickered towards her path and her phone, a sign of determination and dread. Each step was a battle against the relentless march of time.

Whilst dodging the shifting shadows of the trees, where warmth and chill played tag with her senses, a mysterious force seemed to tug at her. Gravity asserted its dominance by the second. A sudden tug at her feet sent her towards descent to the pavement in what felt like slow motion until her warm cheek met the chilly pavement abruptly. Looking back, Azuriyah realised she had fallen victim to one of the infamous curses of Garden District:

Potholes.

The pothole had not only claimed her as a victim, but doused her left shoe in murky water. "Shit!" she muttered, the frustration evident in her voice, drawing curious glances from passersby.

Slowly picking herself up, she surveyed her shoe in a look of disgust that masked her face. Her worn out white shoes now bore the mark of her misfortune, a brownish hue that resembled her sour mood.

As she proceeded walking, she could feel the soggy discomfort of her left shoe and sock as the water entered the unravelling fabric on her shoe.

Can my day get any worse?

A groan of vexation echoed into the bright skies, scattering crows from their perch in the trees.

As the battle against time continued, Azuriyah reached the vibrant Magazine Street, where terraced shops stood like sentinels, hinting at her impending arrival. Amidst the array of establishments, her gaze landed upon a quaint store named The Cauldron. Nestled in the heart of the Garden District, it was a hotspot during Mardi Gras festivities, rumoured to be owned by someone named Dorothea. Whispers painted her as a possessor of psychic abilities or, as some daringly claim, a witch of formidable power.

Although,  Azuriyah could not be fooled by the whimsical tales spun by her peers, knowing them to be nothing more than absurdities made by idle chatter of schoolyard gossip.

But a notion then flickered within her mind—perhaps Dorothea, if truly 'psychic', could give her some intel on her dreams.

However, with the constraints of time pressing upon her, Azuriyah reluctantly pushed aside the prospect. She had no time to be thinking about a psychic unveiling the mysteries of her dreams.

Quickening her pace, she checked her phone as the numbers glared back at her like a ticking time bomb.

"Holy Crap I am so screwed!" stress quivered in Azuriyah's voice as her eyes widened.

The time displayed 8:18, panic clawed at her heart - she now faced a daunting 15-minute journey condensed into a mere 12 minutes.

But this wasn't a battle she didn't plan on losing.

As seconds dwindled, Azuriyah speed slowly decreased as she found herself in the serene embrace of Coliseum Square Park. Lush greenery floruished in every corner, while the gentle trickle of the central fountain provided a soothing soundtrack to her hurried steps. Azuriyah regained her pace, it felt like this track was her own personal racetrack. In her sprint, she collided with one of the residents, likely out for a leisurely stroll.

"Sorry!" Azuriyah blurted out, catching the disapproving grunt from the local as she hurriedly apologised.

Whilst navigating through the park, the large sign Watford Crescent Academy stood out, growing larger by every step.

"Thank goodness, I made it" said Azuriyah as she eased from a sprint to a brisk walk.

Sometimes she could not but realise how lucky she was to have a phone. It was a constant reminder of the time and her lack of punctuality, thankfully she wasn't born in the 1950s or she would definitely be done for.

Whilst passing through the school gates she was struck by the unusual silence of the student in the hallway, intensifying her sense of urgency.

Managing to arrive on time for her class, Azuriyah settled at her desk, her heart made it to her class on time as she sat at a desk preparing herself for the math exams. Her heart still racing from the sprint. She exchanged a smile with her friend Lilian, seated in the corner of the room, before noticing a giggle emanating from Nerissa's direction. Azuriyah then refocused, turning her attention back to the front as her irises rotated, signifying a silent sigh of exasperation.

Azuriyah slowly dazed off as the teacher walked past her as she handed out the exam to everybody. Her vintage heels sounded like thunderstorms within the classroom causing Azuriyah to immediately become alert once again.

Miss Walkins slowly returned to her desk as she announced, "You have 1 Hour to finish this exam starting from, now!"

Pages began flapping around and she could hear the pens eerily scratching against the paper.. Azuriyah took a deep breath in and began to write.