Why is my head suddenly going crazy with nightmares? What's making my brain run so wild? What's happening to me? I just want a normal sleep…
I checked the time — 12:40 PM. I had only slept for an hour. My head was pounding, and my throat felt dry. I needed water.
I got up from bed, changed my clothes, and went downstairs. My mom was washing dishes and glanced at me.
"Did you sleep well?" she asked.
"Yeah, I did. I feel better now." Then I paused. "Wait… how did you know I was asleep?"
She smiled lightly. "I came up to check on you, to see if you were okay. Also, to take the dish you left behind. I saw you sleeping."
"Oh, I see… sorry for not bringing the dish back to the kitchen," I said quickly, cutting her off.
"It's fine, sweetie. Here, take this medicine and you can go back to sleep," she said warmly.
"Medicine? For what, Mom?" I asked, surprised.
"Well," she said carefully, "when I touched you earlier, your body was burning. You were breathing heavily too. I didn't want to disturb you by giving you medicine while you were sleeping."
"Mum, I don't have a fever. Don't worry, I'm fine. You can check."
She touched my forehead, and her eyes widened. "That's unusual… You were burning up so much earlier, and now you're completely normal."
I stood there, confused. She brushed it off and handed me a plate. "Anyway, I'm just glad you're fine. Here, take this orange. I cut it for you. Oh, and your sister's home. She's in her room—she wanted to ask you something."
"She's home? Isn't it a little early for her?" I asked.
"She said her teacher had urgent work and left early, so she came back. You can go ask her yourself," Mom said, turning back to the sink.
I picked up the orange and nodded, still unsettled by what Mom had said. Burning up? Breathing heavily? It didn't make sense—my body felt normal now, but her words lingered in my head like a splinter.
I went upstairs to my sister's room and opened the door. She was sitting on the floor with a bunch of cards spread out like she was plotting world domination.
The moment she saw me, she grinned. "Well, look who decided to wake up from his beauty sleep. Perfect timing. Teach me this game."
"Really? That's your emergency?" I asked, rubbing my forehead.
"Yep. You're my designated rules guy. Don't complain, it's your job."
"Uh-huh. And your job is homework. Did you finish it?" I shot back.
She leaned back with a smirk. "Relax, I barely got any. My last teacher bailed early, so I'll do it later."
I sighed, dropping down next to her. "Fine. But I'm calling a reshuffle before you cheat yourself into a win."
---
Downstairs
[Mom's POV]
Finally done with the chores. A few minutes on the couch with the TV sounded like heaven. Humming to myself, I flicked on the switch, settled into the cushions, and bit into a crisp apple.
The news anchor's voice filled the room.
"Breaking news: there has been an accident involving a local woman. The victim, identified as a science teacher at a nearby school…"
I froze. The screen changed, showing a photo of the woman.
I knew that face. I had seen her not long ago—at the last parent–teacher meeting. She was Sarah's science teacher.
My chest tightened.
"Sarah!" I called, my voice sharper than I meant. "Come downstairs, now!"
---
[MC's POV]
The moment Mom called out, her tone sliced through the air—sharp, urgent, nothing like her usual voice. Sarah and I locked eyes, both of us instantly knowing something was wrong. Without another word, we dropped the game mid-play and hurried downstairs.
Sarah spoke first, her voice laced with concern. "Mom… what happened? Is everything okay?"
Mom didn't answer right away. She pointed at the TV, her hand trembling slightly. "Look. That's your teacher, isn't it?"
Sarah turned toward the screen. The colour drained from her face. "Yes… that's her. She's the one who left class early today…"
The news anchor's voice cut through the silence.
"This woman has been confirmed dead. Doctors at the scene were unable to revive her. Authorities say she was struck by this vehicle."
The broadcast shifted, showing the mangled car.
And in that instant, the world tilted.
My stomach dropped. My chest clenched. That car—I knew it. The same dented bumper, the same scratched paint. And the number plate… oh God, the number plate.
It was the exact same car I had seen plow into me in my dream.
A chill surged through my body, my hands trembling uncontrollably. I couldn't breathe.
What is happening to me?