"You should wait for Helen," my mom called after me.
"I'm in a hurry. She can go to school by herself," I replied quickly, already halfway out the door. "Goodbye, Dad!"
The door shut behind me.
"She behaves just like you," Mom muttered to Dad.
My dad laughed softly.
And honestly… she wasn't wrong. Dad was just as grumpy. I guess I inherited it from him.
On my way to school, I heard someone calling my name.
"Clover!"
I turned to see Jane — my paddy — waving wildly from across the street.
"Wait for me!"
She ran toward me, slightly out of breath, and we hugged like we hadn't seen each other in years.
As we walked, she excitedly filled me in on her weekend. She had gone out with her boyfriend — movies, late-night ice cream, long walks. Her eyes sparkled as she talked, and I found myself smiling along with her.
I was twenty-two years old.
No boyfriend.
No romantic story.
Just… me.
My life was a mess. Or maybe the real problem was me. What kind of guy would want to date a girl like me? Especially one named Clover.
Jane suddenly stopped talking and looked at me expectantly.
"What about you? How was your weekend?"
My stomach tightened.
How could I tell her that the most interesting thing that happened to me was a nightmare about a monster stealing someone's life force?
She would definitely label me a psycho — adding that to the long list of side names people already called me.
"I was sick," I lied smoothly. "Didn't really go out."
Her face softened instantly. "Oh no, sorry."
I nodded, relieved that she bought it.
We entered class shortly after. And like every other day, I spent most of it fighting sleep… and eventually losing.
By the time lectures ended, I was drained.
"I'm home!" I announced as I stepped inside, already heading upstairs.
"Change and prepare for dinner," Mom replied from the kitchen.
"Okay," I answered lazily, shutting my bedroom door behind me.
I threw myself onto the bed, exhaustion swallowing me whole.
And then I drifted off.
Darkness.
I saw her running.
The same woman from my dream — the one with red hair — was sprinting toward an endless abyss. Her hair, once fiery, now looked dull and withered as if life itself was draining from it.
Behind her—
Dozens of demons.
Their growls echoed through the darkness as they chased her, claws scraping against unseen ground.
She stumbled.
They were close.
Too close.
Just as they lunged to devour her—
I woke up with a violent gasp.
My heart pounded wildly against my ribs, faster than normal, almost painful. I clutched my chest, trying to steady my breathing.
Why do I keep dreaming about her?
And why does it feel real?
That was the terrifying part.
It didn't feel like imagination.
It felt like memory.
I rushed into the bathroom and turned on the cold shower, letting the icy water pour over me. My body trembled.
"Why do I keep seeing her?" I whispered to myself.
After changing into my nightdress, hair messy and damp, I headed downstairs for dinner.
Everyone was already seated, waiting.
I sat quietly and began eating without saying much.
"Helen's boyfriend is so sweet," Mom said cheerfully. "He dropped her off at home today."
She brushed a strand of Helen's hair away lovingly.
"What's so special about having a boyfriend?" I asked casually, though jealousy burned in my chest. "Apart from keeping you awake at night and wasting your time, I don't see the big deal."
Mom chuckled. "That's the fun, honey. Midnight calls… butterflies… all of it."
"Oh, Mom, no need to explain to her," Helen said sweetly. "She probably hasn't had a boyfriend before, so she wouldn't understand."
Her innocent smile made it worse.
"I guess," Mom sighed. "Sometimes I wonder if she'll ever get married if she continues like this."
That one hit.
I scoffed loudly and pushed my chair back, standing abruptly.
"I chose to be single!" I snapped. "I rejected all of them!"
The lie tasted bitter.
I stormed upstairs without looking back.
"You're wrong this time," Dad said quietly to Mom before following after me.