Chapter 2

“N-Nightmare. I had a nightmare about chasing through the woods.”

"Wait, you had that nightmare again?" Georgia asked, her eyes widening in concern.

"Yeah, it was really weird. I can't remember all the details, but I remember feeling scared and disoriented," I

replied, still trying to piece together the memory of the dream.

"That sounds intense. Have you been having a lot of these nightmares lately?" Georgia asked, her brow furrowed.

"It's hard to say. I feel like I'm always so busy and stressed that I don't always remember my dreams. But this one felt particularly vivid," I said, still feeling a bit shaken by the memory.

"Well, maybe you should try to take some time to relax and clear your mind. Maybe try some meditation or deep breathing exercises," Georgia suggested, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah, maybe you're right. I'll try to carve out some time for myself and see if that helps," I said, grateful for

Georgia's support and guidance.

Just then a man came up to us and told us that dr. Ingres has called for us. Dr. ingres was a patient man who loved to study and research anything that catches his eye. He has always been my role model for the work he did ever since I was young. His research on the recent volcanic explosion has contributed to various applications of lava and igneous rocks. Now he seemed to have taken up a different topic for his work.

Georgia and I were asked to be his assistant scientist.

Upon entering the lab I could hear the sounds of screams coming from far away. They seemed human but not completely. As we entered the lab, we were greeted by the sight of Dr. Ingres hunched over a microscope, his eyes focused intently on the slides in front of him. Georgia and I exchanged excited glances - we knew that this was a rare opportunity to work with one of the most respected scientists in our field.

 Dr. Ingres looked up as we approached and gave us a warm smile.

"Ah, there you are," he said. "I'm glad you could join me. I have a new project that I think you'll find interesting."

He gestured for us to follow him over to a large table covered in beakers and test tubes.

"As you know, my previous research focused on the effects of volcanic explosions on the environment," he said. "But I've recently become interested in studying the properties of different types of creatures. I think they have a lot of potential for biotechnology applications, and I could use your help with some of the experiments."

The screams continued, and soon enough we couldn't wait till he gives us an explanation.

“Sir, may we know what those screams are?” I asked unable to contain my curiosity.

“Oh, that's just one of the animals we caught recently in the green river forest. Don't worry it's chained.”

“Is it related to our project, sir?” Georgia asked.

“No. you won't have to directly deal with it. You'll just need to help me analyze its genes. Sounds good?”

Georgia and I nodded eagerly, excited to be a part of this new project. We spent the next few hours working alongside Dr. Ingres, conducting experiments and taking notes on our findings. It was a challenging but rewarding experience, and I knew that I was learning a lot from this brilliant scientist.

In no time, I found myself leaving the building to go back home. An unsettling fear took over me again. If I go home, I'll have to sleep and that would mean the dreams would continue.

“Hey. look at yourself, sweating all over. Do you wanna go for therapy?” Georgia asked.

“I was just thinking of it.”

“Good I know an amazing therapist. She helped me a lot when I lost my mother. You should check out her

place.”

 "Thanks a lot, georgia.” I replied, taking the therapist's number.

As we walked home, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in my chest. The dreams had been getting worse and worse, and I knew I needed to do something about it. Georgia's suggestion of seeing a therapist was exactly what I needed, and I was grateful to have a friend who cared enough to offer support. I made an appointment with the therapist that Georgia recommended.

As a couple of days went by, with the same dreams and research for work, I finally came across the Sunday I was dreadfully waiting for. It was time for the therapist.

“How long have you been having these dreams?” Olivia Aldine, the therapist asked.

"They started when I was 10 yrs old," I replied, shifting nervously in my seat. "At first, they were just small,

insignificant things that I could easily forget about. But over time, they've become more vivid and disturbing. I can't shake the feeling that something is wrong, even when I'm awake."

Olivia nodded sympathetically. "It sounds like you're experiencing some significant stress and anxiety. It's

completely normal to have dreams that reflect your fears and worries, and it's possible that these dreams are a manifestation of your unconscious mind trying to process those emotions. Have you noticed any specific triggers or patterns in your dreams?"

I thought for a moment and replied,”Yes. I usually dream about running through the woods, chasing animals, and even eating them at times. They are sinister and creepy. I recently had a dream that I had claws and sharp teeth and was chasing a rabbit. I need help.”

Olivia listened intently, making notes in her notebook as I spoke. "It sounds like you're experiencing some

intense and disturbing dreams," she said. "Dreams about animals can often be symbolic of something deeper, such as unresolved feelings or unconscious desires. It might be helpful to explore what these dreams could be trying to tell you, and how they might be related to your life and experiences. It's also important to remember that dreams are a natural and normal part of our sleep process, and they don't

always mean something significant. However, if your dreams are causing you a lot of distress or interfering with your daily life, it might be helpful to work on some strategies to manage them. For example, we can try relaxation techniques or dream journaling to help you process your dreams and gain insight from them."

I nodded, feeling a sense of relief at having someone to talk to about my dreams. Working with a therapist and exploring these issues was helping me to feel more in control of my mental health.

At least that's what I thought until another dream took over that night. 

There was blood, screaming and the unmistakable howling of a... wolf.