Chapter 1 - The dream

30 DAYS TO HER BIRTHDAY

Saturday

Something was after me, I was sure of that but I couldn't see what it was since everything was pitch-black and the fact that the thing that was after me was getting closer was terrifying.

"Irene" I called myself and put in more effort "You're almost there. You're almost there"

I tripped to the ground due to the long gown that I was putting on and yelped

"You're almost there" I told myself again and struggled to get back up. 

My throat was dry and I could hardly swallow my saliva but that was just a tip of an iceberg when it comes to the problem that I was facing right now because I was sure that the thing after me was after me because it was sent to destroy me.

I could feel it footsteps coming my way as I was struggling to get up and I knew the only way of I surviving this was if I reached my destination on time.

I don't know where exactly I was going but I knew the right direction the moment I see it.

I packed my long gown in my hands and started running again

"You're almost there" I reassured myself as I was fighting my way out of the thick forest. The trees branches grazed my skin since the gown I was putting on was a sleeveless long gown but I wasn't really bothered about it.

It footsteps were now loud enough to wake a whole city in the middle of the night and I knew I was going to lose if I didn't put in more effort.

This race wasn't for me, it was for them 

I wanted to open my mouth and say "You must survive" but my throat was already sealed up from dehydration and my saliva as thick as a gum

I looked up and saw the temple

"Yes" I thought and ran faster because that was exactly where I was going. That was where my safety was. My heartbeat was beating as loud as drum

The thing started snapping trees since it knew that I was about to reach home, the temple and the sounds of different birds could be heard as they were flying away in the darkness. My throat hurt and my breathing was becoming irregular.

With more determination, I ran faster, felt it hand on my shoulder but it was too late because I was home.

Instead of the darkness in the forest, the temple was bright and it brightness was almost blinding

I traced my way to the river and drank out of it until I was full

"Aah" I said tiredly as I laid on the beautiful grass "You made it. You made it"

"Irene" a man's, loud olden voice called from the temple and I got  up instantly to see who it was

"Irene" the voice called again and I got ready to defend myself in case I had to

"Who are you?" I asked

"Your past" the olden voice said "That was a narrow escape"

I stared at the temple and tried to guess where exactly the voice was coming from but it seems to be coming from every angle"

"Welcome home" the olden voice said

"What do you want from me?" I asked

"Nothing" the olden voice replied "But they want something from you. You're their last hope. You're their only way out"

I knew the race wasn't precisely for me but I didn't know who the people I was running for was

"Whose last hope?" I asked

"Your people. They have been waiting for you, watching you and protecting you"

"Are you talking about my parents and brother?"

"People greater than them. Do not relent because they are looking up to you. They will soon be knocking on your door and when they do, let them in"

"Show me your face!" I screamed

"It's not really necessary" the voice replied "You're their future. Their lives is in your hands. Their future is in your hands and their safety is in your hands. This fight is going to be the deadliest since it's the last fight that is going to determines who the forever rulers will be. Sit tight because they are ready to attack and a single mistake from you might make them the forever rulers.... Irene" the voice echoed off

I woke up all of a sudden. I was sweating and my heartbeat was still racing as if the thing that was after me in the forest was still chasing me. 

I turned on my bedlamp and got out of my bed to use the restroom

"Oh my God!" I said as I was coming back from the restroom. My windows were widely opened.

One of the things I hated was to leave my window open at night, so, I walked to it in order to close it but stopped when something else caught my attention.

"Wolf" I thought and I blinked twice in disbelief but the wolf was gone within microseconds

"Irene, you're hallucinating" I said to myself and closed the window.

I went back to bed but I was unable to go back to sleep because the fact that I dreamt about a scary thing chasing after me and seeing a wolf inside our compound when I woke up was something that seems scary to me.