I woke up again like in any other "dreams". My whole body is shaking, My eyes are watery, And unknowingly I have already been biting my thumb out of pressure.
"Goddamn it, So that fucking masked figure can appear and kill me in any ways in each "dreams". How could I even survive this...What should i do?!" I said, my eyes are watery and my voice is shaking.
My mind is racing a lot of questions. Who is the masked figure? What did they say that i stole from them? Why am I experiencing this strange phenomenon? How should i get out and survive my impending fated ending? and so on and so forth.
I look at the clock it said "1:33 P.M DECEMBER 24TH, 2025".
"I am still here...it really isn't a dream." I said, my voice is still shaking and my whole body feels so numb.
"What should I do? What should I even do to survive my killer? Who are they anyways?" I asked, my voice laced with anxiety.
"I've spent my time in my own house until the event unfolded, but the killer still finds a way to come and kill me. So it's possible that if I do something new to alter my fated ending, the killer might try a different method to kill me." My mind was overflowing with thoughts, pondering on the things I could do.
"What should I do? I have to survive. I have to prevent being killed today at all costs—maybe that will make the 'dreams' end as well," I said with determination.
"Since in the previous 'dream' I stayed alone, I stayed alone in my house. What if... I don't turn down Alice's offer... her offer for her and Janice to stay with me? Maybe I can prevent my fated ending at some point? But I know that won't be enough. I need to think of a way where I can survive at the same time without involving my friends." My mind was overflowing with thoughts, laced with anxiety and determination.
A moment of hesitation arises.
"I have to try!" I said with deepened resolve.
I dialed my phone and called our group chat to talk to them. After moments of waiting, they finally responded.
"Is something the matter, Elara?" Janice said, her usual reserved tone laced with worry.
Internal Monologue: That is exactly what she said to me in the previous 'dream'.
"Actually, no, I have a cold right now," I said with a sad expression, regretting having to lie to my friends and get them involved.
"Are you okay? You know we can stop by later and be with you!" Alice said, her tone laced with worry.
"Yes, please. I need you guys and I want to spend some time with you all," I said with a smile and a soft tone.
"Alright, we will be there later at 15:00," Janice said with her usual reserved tone.
"See ya at 15:00!" Alice said enthusiastically.
"Yes, I will be waiting. Take care," I said, my voice soft and eased.
Internal Monologue: I am sorry, everyone. I will do everything in my power to protect the two of you. Even if it meant dying in this "dream" as well.
My face, full of resolve, was quickly replaced with confusion.
"Wait... Death... I've died three times. Does this 'ability' have a limit, or can I die as many times as I want? If it's limited, then... what is the limit... what will happen if I exceed it?" I asked, my voice full of confusion and anxiety.
I shook my head, trying to dispel the thoughts, and got ready to prepare for my friends' arrival, feeling both anxious and excited.
I decided to take a bath. Moments later, I had finished bathing and was getting dressed. I then proceeded to go to the kitchen to prepare some food for us.
But still, I couldn't erase the looming thoughts about this "dream" ability. It made me anxious just thinking about it. And, of course, there was the masked figure, my killer in every "dream."
"That person... They are someone who knows me, but I don't know them myself. It intrigues me... I want to know who that person is and what I 'stole' from them. What did they mean about 'everything'? Either way, they are quite fascinating and terrifying. I didn't expect myself to be this interested in my own killer... Am I insane already?" I said, my voice filled with curiosity.
"Either way, the main objective is to survive this time, break off this cycle, investigate that masked figure killer, prevent them from harming me, and most importantly, to know what exactly is happening to me... this strange phenomenon." I said with determination and anxiety.
I slapped myself, "Let's focus on the present for now. I have to prepare food for my friends," I said enthusiastically.
I glanced at the clock. It said "2:45 P.M., DECEMBER 24TH, 2025."
"It's almost time!" I said, trying to sound enthusiastic, but my voice still held a touch of anxiety.
I started preparing our food. After a few moments, I had finished, and at the same time, a loud knock was heard at the door.
I recalled what happened in the previous "dream," so I armed myself with a baseball bat and took a peek through the peephole. And, it was them! Finally, Janice and Alice had arrived. I opened the door.
"I am so glad you made it here, safe you two!" I said, my voice eased, and I pulled them in for a hug.
Internal Monologue: I'm also glad it's not a random person again, looking down at the ground. After that previous 'dream', I don't know if I could have opened this door again.
"Are you alright, Elara?" Alice asked, her tone laced with worry, holding my hand tightly.
"Yes," I said with confidence.
"Let me check your temperature," Janice said with her usual reserved tone.
She placed her hand on my neck and then on my forehead.
"You are completely fine," Janice added.
"Yes, I'm sorry I lied to you guys... I just want to be with you all day long today. Are you in for a sleepover? Just like high school days!" I said enthusiastically, though there was still a hint of regret in my voice.
Internal Monologue: I'm sorry, I lied again, you two.
"Hmm... alright then, count me in," Janice said with her usual reserved tone, while eyeing me up and down. I know her. She does that when she senses a person lying. I know she figured me out by now.
"A sleepover?! I AM IN!" Alice said enthusiastically while jumping around the corner.
I glanced at the clock. It said "3:10 P.M., DECEMBER 24TH, 2025."
"The time... It's almost there," I muttered to myself.
"What did you say?" Janice asked.
"Oh, nothing. I was just talking about the time... It's 3:10 p.m, so... why don't we eat? I prepared some snacks in the kitchen!" I said, feigning innocence and enthusiasm.
"Snacks?! Let's go!! Elara's snacks are always the best. I missed eating those!" Alice said with a huge smile, and she dragged Janice into the kitchen.
While Janice was still eyeing me suspiciously, I knew she knew I was hiding something.
I followed them.
There, we started our activities, we ate and conversed, and then proceeded to watch a movie afterward.
The movie just finished, and I turned it off.
I glanced at the clock. It said "5:00 P.M DECEMBER 24TH, 2025" I grew anxious as the time of my fated ending approached again, but I masked it with feigned enthusiasm.
"Why do you keep on looking at the clock, Elara?" Janice, ever observant, said this with her usual reserved tone.
"Uhm... I don't know either," I said, feigning innocence.
"Tell us the truth, Elara. Is something the matter?" Janice said, her usual reserved tone now laced with a hint of an authoritarian tone.
"Nothing, really," I said, feigning innocence again.
"It's just that... at times like this, I always remember our first meeting. We first met in our classroom back when we were first-year high school. We were all inseparable. We have a solid bond. And, I am thankful that until now, that bond is still here, standing strong," I said with a serious tone.
"Yes, I FEEL THE SAME WAY! WE ARE THE QUEEN BEES BACK THEN! I am the heart, Janice is the brains, and Elara is our beauty," Alice said enthusiastically.
"Ugh... here we go again with your random thoughts," Janice said, feigning annoyance.
I couldn't help but laugh at their little banter.
Internal Monologue: I will not let this end right here. I will survive this time. I will keep them safe.
Suddenly, a thought came to my mind, and I asked them...
"Is there someone who has been... you know... have some grudges against me or us in general? You know, someone?" I asked.
"None so far," they said in unison.
"Why you asked?" Alice said, her tone full of confusion, holding her chin.
"Oh, nothing, just a random thought..." I said, feigning innocence.
"Is this related to why you are acting strange today?" Janice asked.
"Acting strange? You're overthinking things again, Janice, and no!" I said, feigning annoyance.
"Anyways, I need to go and use the bathroom for a moment. You know, nature calls," I said, then proceeded to go to the bathroom.
I then glanced at the clock. It said "5:09 P.M., DECEMBER 24TH, 2025."
"Anyways, do not open the door at all costs," I said in an authoritative manner.
Then, I braced myself and went to the bathroom.
Internal Monologue: Damn it, it's 2 against 1, unfair! It's not just the killer, but I'm also against time as well.
I entered the bathroom and started letting out some dirt. After a while, I had finished and decided to take a bath too.
I had just finished bathing and getting dressed again when a loud knock erupted at the door. I quickly went outside and glanced at the clock. It said "5:58 P.M., DECEMBER 24TH, 2025." My heart beat so fast that I could die anytime before the killer even got to me.
"It's time. I am sure that whoever is beyond that door... is that fucking bastard," I said, my voice burning with hatred and anxiety.