"Ahhh… ahhh…"
Eric twisted in his sleep, sweat dampening his sheets. The shadows in his dream pressed down on him, hot breath brushing his ear.
"Yes… say my name," a low, husky whisper commanded.
Eric's body trembled. He didn't know why he was obeying, why his lips parted to cry out for someone he didn't even know. Strong arms pinned him, holding him captive. His chest rose and fell with ragged breaths as the stranger's voice grew rougher, more insistent.
"No—stop—" Eric gasped, but his body betrayed him. The dream wrapped tighter around him, suffocating, until darkness finally swallowed him whole.
---
The next morning, Eric woke with a sharp cry. His heart pounded as he sat upright, clutching his sheets.
"It… it was a dream?" he whispered, his throat dry. But his body told a different story—sore, heavy, trembling. His hands shook as he touched his own chest, shivering at the memory.
What was that? Who was that?
He dragged himself from bed, still rattled, and began to get ready for school. Just as he pulled his shirt over his head, his mother peeked inside.
"Eric, you're late again," she said firmly, though her eyes softened as she looked at him.
"Coming, Mom," Eric replied, trying to keep his voice steady.
"Study hard, my child. And don't let anyone bully you," she reminded him, kissing his forehead.
"I won't," he murmured, though his mind was far from school.
---
By the time Eric reached class, the dream still haunted him. He sat quietly in his corner as the teacher announced a new transfer student.
A tall boy walked in, his presence heavy, commanding, like the very air bent toward him.
"Introduce yourself," the teacher said.
The boy lifted his gaze, and Eric's breath caught in his throat.
It was him.
The voice. The shadow. The stranger from his dream.
Eric's world tilted as he stared at the one who had claimed him in the night.
To be continued…