Nocturne Of Nightmares
Episode 1
Anna
Ahh, why did professor have to give us homework?
Anna
I want to spend the weekend shopping, not answering assignments!
Andreia
I wanted to catch up on my TV shows too.
We talk about our plans for the weekend until we reach the intersection.
Anna
Well, I'm going this way.
I wave goodbye as Anna crosses the intersection.
We've been friends since university classes.
After graduating high school, most of my buddies moved far away for university.
We talk a lot online, but...
(It makes me feel lonely sometimes.)
I walk toward home, thinking back to my childhood.
(I don't remember any of my friends from back then..)
All i get is the feeling that something's missing. I can't recall much. Or anything at all, really.
I don't have any memories of when i was a child.
Did i have friends? Did i have hobbies? Did i get a bunch of toys like other kids?
Sometimes i find myself thinking about this and feel an indescribable emptiness.
Mom and Dad
Hello, Andreia
My parents greet me, their voices coming from separate locations.
Andreia
Something smells good!
My dad sits down on the couch.
Dad
Your mom's making curry.
Mom
I filled up the bathtub for you, so clean up before dinner.
My mother pokes her head out from the kitchen, holding her ladle up.
I head to my room, the scent of curry making me hungry.
(... i feel empty from time to time.)
(... whenever i see my parents...)
After my parents go to bed, i stay behind in the living room.
I look at the clock to see that it's 9:45 p.m.
Andreia
Oh, it's almost time.
I lightly slap my face with both hands to keep myself awake.
Andreia
You can't fall asleep now, Andreia.
Andreia
You've waited a whole week for this episode!
I climb onto the couch, snuggling myself in one corner as i watch the TV commercials run.
Slowly, i feel my eyelids getting heavy.
I blink my eyes hard, then open them as wide as i can.
(I need to know what happens next!)
But the television starts to distort, the images askew n the screen.
From out of nowhere, the ringing of bells seems to echo in my ears.
My vision goes hazy, and all i can see is bright light.
(I don't want to fall asleep yet.)
Despite my efforts to fight it, I feel myself gradually dozing off.
And before i know, I'm fast asleep...
I open my eyes and fund myself surrounded by darkness.
Andreia
Huh? What just happened?
My breath catches in my throat and uneasy feeling begins bubbling in my stomach.
Taking deep breaths, it takes every bit of my willpower to keep myself from panicking.
After a while, my eyes adjust to the darkness.
I don't know why, but somehow, this room feels familiar.
I feel asleep in the living room... didn't i?
I turn my body to the side...
My eyes widen at the sight in front of me.
I feel my heart almost jump out of my chest.
In the dark, i see the figure of a young man lying down next to me.
Confused as i am, i take a closer look.
The young man is sleeping peacefully.
I try calling out to him, but he doesn't respond.
(Well, that didn't work.)
(Guess i should leave him alone.)
I try to get up, but i hear a sound.
His eyelids flutter for a moment and he tries to get up.
Andreia
Um... do you know where we are? I suddenly woke up in this palce and...
The young man slowly looks at me.
His eyes! One blue, the other red. Captivated by his mystical appearance, i advertently let out a small gasp.
Andreia
Your eyes are so beautiful.
The young man immediately cover his face with his hands.
(Did i say something to offend him?)
I try to touch him, but he turns away.
???
Man, you're so damn loud.
I look over my shoulder to see another person starring down at me.
???
The hell are you being noisy for, huh?
Out of the blue a very loud yawn echoes in the room.
In the corner, someone stretches up with his mouth wide open.
???
Hmmm? It's still dark.
???
Can we go back to sleep?
A young woman freaks out as the commotion forces her awake.
Five complete strangers, all taken to one strange place.
Something really feels off about this.
???
I think we're all in the same boat here.
???
I can't be here, i have a date tomorrow!
???
Everybody, settle down.
The guy in the varsity jacket starts to take charge of the situation.
I stand up to take a good look at him, but he walks towards the center.
???
Does anyone have any idea where we are?
???
Jeez, why are you startinh with that?
???
Shouldn't we get to know each other first?
The young man smiles at each of us.
(That's nice. He's trying to make everyone feel at ease.)
Eventually, the tension in the room subsides.
Episode 2
Everybody just looks at him without a word.
Thoma
Oh, nice to meet you, Andreia!
Monica
I'm a fashion design student, and I have a really cool boyfriend!
Monica
Ahh, i miss him right now.
(There's something child like about Monica's charm.)
I was expecting a more dramatic introduction, to be honest.
(He's pretty bossy, but not very talkative...)
Ray must've caught me staring at him because he turns to face me.
Ray
The sooner you talk, the faster we can start planning things out.
I look over my shoulder to see the quiet young man with heterochromia stand up.
He slowly lets his hands fall, revealing the shine in his eyes.
(I meant what i said. His eyes are really beautiful.)
Something about his name strikes a chord within me.
He glances at me, his red eye glimmering at me from begund his bangs.
(There's something awfully familiar about that red eye of his...)
I try to reach back into my memories, but i have no recollection of ever merting him.
(Is it just my imagination?)
Thoma
So, now that we know each other, isn't it a bit less scary?
Thoma chuckles, and i smile.
(The atmosphere was really tense earlier.)
(I'm glad someone like Thoma is gere to lighten up the mood.)
Ray
Right, now that we've introduce ourselves, let's try to figure out where we are and why.
Ray
Everyone gather round.
We all hudle to sit in a circle.
Ray
Has anyone never been here before?
My eyes scan the room from on corner ro another.
It's normal, aside from the fact that it's dark and a blood moon is illumonating us, albeit dimly.
(Nothing seems too out of ordinary, but...)
(I've got this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach.)
Monica
Me neither, this place is to creepy for my tastes.
Ray turns to Subaru, and the latter shakes his head.
Andreia
I just have a feeling.
Andreia
I guess that's not very useful information, isn't it?
As expected, Ray doesn't respond.
Ray
Could you tell me the last thing you did before coming here?
Monica
I was snuggling with my boyfriend.
Monica
It was very warm and cozy.
She cups her chin, blushing.
Monica
Hehe! This is so embarrassing.
Monica
We we're on the couch and-
Thoma
I remember browsing the internet while getting ready to sleep.
(Yeah, that all sounds pretty normal.)
(My night was the same way. I was determined to watch that TV show, but i felt drowsy..)
Andreia
I was on the couch waiting for the latest episode of the favorite TV series.
Andreia
It airs at ten, which is usually past my bedtime.
I nod, and Ray rest his index finger under his nose in thought.
Thoma
Hmm, now that he mention it, it was around the same time for me too.
(Ah, that could be a hint)
Subaru
Something was ringing.
Subaru, who's been quiet the whole time, speaks up.
Andreia
Yes, i felt that too.
Thoma
Right. It was a bit painful, to be honest.
(When the bell chimed ten o'clock, i was suddenly over come with drowsiness.)
Ray
How about you, Monica?
Monica
Hmm.. I don't really remember, but maybe?
Monica
I was sitting with my boyfriend-
Ray
Enought about your boyfriend.
Monica pouts, glaring daggers at Ray.
(Haha. She does pretty obsessed with him.)
Thoma
You simply don't know the sensibilities of a woman in love, Ray.
Ray
I don't need to know it's not relevant here.
Then he looks at me and makes a face, teasingly mocking Ray.
I almost laugh, but i bite my lower lip to hold it back.
(Ray and Thoma seem like they know each other pretty well. Either that or Thoma teases everybody.)
Ray purses his lips together as he leans back.
He folds his arm across his chest.
Ray
Okay, so we've pinpointed three things about this situation.
Ray lower his arms, letting his hands drop over his shins.
Ray
First, none of us have been here before.
Ray
Second, we felt all sleepy at around ten at night.
Ray
Third, we all experienced tinnitus.
Subaru
It's a medical term for the ringing we heard in our ears.
Thoma
Ohh! That sounds smart.
I curiously turn to look at Ray.
Ask him how he knew that word.*
Andreia
Are you a doctor, Ray?
Ray
Not exactly. I'm still a med student.
Out of nowhere, Thoma suddenly slaps Ray's leg.
Thoma
What about you? What were you doing?
In annoyance, Ray jerks his long legs back.
Thoma
Whaaat? That's boring.
Thoma
Who studies on a friday night?
The atmosphere in the room feels a lot less uptight with these two around. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, though.
Monica
Friday nights are supposed to be fun!
Thoma
Partying with friends, drinking booze, getting wasted.
The two of them share a high five that makes me smile.
(Atleast we're all getting along just fine.)
Ray
If you have time for idle chatter, then you have time to give insight about this situation.
I look at the others, but they seem to be out of ideas.
Andreia
We came here at a certain time, right?
They all turn to me expectantly.
Andreia
But there aren't any clocks here.
Andreia
After we sat together, I looked around, and that's one thing i noticed.
Their eyes scan the whole room.
Thoma
I've been wondering what time it was, but i always forget to ask.
Subaru's face lights up in the dark, as if he's experiencing a moment of clarity.
Subaru
Does anyone have a watch?
Ray immediately puts his hands forward.
We all look at each each other, thinking the same thing.
Ray
Right, let's take a look.
Episode 3
It's just a kid. Atleast, that's what i keep telling myself. But i can't seem to shake off the fear and anxiety.
Monica
Maybe she wants us to follow her?
Monica slowly let go of Thoma's arm, looking intently at the little girl in front of us.
Monica's eyes somewhat vacant.
Monica
Do you know where we are?
The girl smiles and then turn away to leave.
Before anyone can stop her, Monica gets up and rooms to the door.
She's out of sight, and we're all at a loss about what to do.
(She really souldn't go running off on her own.)
Just as i'm about to speak-
Out of nowhere, we hear a shrill cry of fright.
Andreia
Th-That was Monica!
I get to my feet to go after her, but Thoma catches my arm.
Thoma
Let's not do anything rash.
Ray
We have no idea what we're dealing with at the moment.
Ray
The best thing we can do right now is stick together.
(He's right. Nothing good will come from me trying ro go alone. I need to calm down and get a hold of myself.)
Thoma lets go of my arm as Ray explains.
Ray
We all came here scared and confused, so let's do what we can for each other.
My eyes widen at his words.
(I didn't think Ray knew how to be so encouraging.)
Andreia
I just hope Monica's alright.
Ray
Right, let's head out and investigate.
Ray
Take what you can to protect yourself.
Ray
Or something you can use as a weapon.
We cautiously make our way outside.
I find a baseball bat inside the room, while the guys each arm themselves with random objects.
Thoma
What am i gonna do with this book, whack someone on the head with knowledge?
Ray
In that case, you should use that on yourself, too.
Andreia
Subaru, are you alright there?
I turn back to see Subaru holding a plunger.
We cautiously trudge through the darkness.
Before long, we hear a horrendous crunching sound.
We nod silently and apprehensively turn around the corner.
A human leg is on the floor, all bloodied.
Just around the corner stands a terrifyingly hideous monster.
Monster
Mommy... I'm hungry...
The monster mutters and moan.
The dismembered leg moves as if being pulled by someone.
Monster
Help me, mommy. I'm hungry.
The shadow moves, revealing Monica's bloodied body.
I cover my mouth with my freen hand to keep myslef from shouting.
I'm stunned at what i'm seeing.
Before me is a hideous creature, it's teeth sharp and bloody.
Monica lies dead, but the space beside her unfolds in bright light.
(Monica's... dead? Just a second ago, she was happily going on her boyfriend, and now she's ... )
The sound of the monster's teeth munching and grinding echoes through the hallway.
Everyone's probably thinking the same thing.
Unable to accept the fact right in front of us, we just stared at Monica's massacred body.
Suddenly, a strange mist appears next to the body, and a little girl materializes from the mist.
It's the same little girl again, smiling happily as she rushes into a man's arm.
Father
Monica! How's my little girl?
Andreia
Monica? What the heck is going on?
In confusion, i turn to look at Ray.
Ray
Does this mean that these were Monica's childhood memories all this time?
Monica and her dad smiling happily.
Their joyful expression are as sharp contrast to the tragedy we see on the ground.
Andreia
Are we being shown by her memories?
Ray
Hmm.. maybe. But now...
Ray glares at the monster.
The monster scrowls at us like we're next.
Subaru
We should get out of here.
Ray
Hey, that's my line! Let's go!
The guys start running, but my legs won't stop shaking.
(Oh, come on! Run, Andreia, run!)
I try to take a step back as the monster approaches.
Ray
What are you doing? We gotta get outta here!
I grit my teeth and turn around.
Mustering all my strength to resist crying, i start to follow them.
Ray stretches out his hand for me, and i run fast to catch up.
Right after i reach out to take Ray's hand...
The bells are ringing in my ears. Sleepiness overtakes me.
(I can't fall asleep! Not here... Not now...)
The ringing gets louder. I squeeze my eyes shut.
The last thing i feel is the brush of Ray's skin on my fingertips.
TV Announcer
And now for local news...
I'm awaken by the sound of sirens blaring.
I rub my eyes and look around.
Andreia
Did i sleep here all night?
TV
A young woman was found dead this morning.
The news from the TV keeps playing as i try to recall what happened last night.
TV
The victim, Monica Collin, was-
I immediately grab the remote and turn the volume up.
TV
Monica Collins was found dead in her partner's bedroom earlier this morning. The circumstances regarding this mysterious case are currently being investegated by local police.
I stared at the television, my heart beating fast.
I stand there, mouth agape.
There's noway this is all a coincidence.
But wasn't it all just bad dream?
An indescribable feeling of dread shudder through my body.
I still can't believe it. Or maybe i just don't want to believe it...
Unable to come up an explanation, all i can do is stare at the television.
Andreia
It can't be the same girl...
TV
The police are looking at the possibility of murder.
I turn my back, my throat dry.
They're also not ruling out an undiagnosed condition, considering the damage on her neural functions.
Andreia
What on earth is going on?
The noise from the TV fades as i make my way to the kitchen for a glass of water.
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