Ep1

~Disclaimer~ this isn"t my original story, this is a self insert story adaptation based on the otome game Nocturne of Nightmares by Genuis Inc. you can play it for yourself in the Google play store. and if you like it check out their other fantastic games.

Your young woman whose childhood was always a blur for some reason. No matter how hard you try, you can never quite remember it.

One day after falling into a deep sleep, you wake up terrified in a dark, creepy world. But you"re not alone. You find yourself trapped in this nightmare world along with a few attractive strangers. Yet, they all seem vaguely familiar. Who are these guys? And why does your heart hurt so badly when you look at them, especially Licht?

However, there"s no time to think about that when heart-wrenching apparitions of childhood begin suddenly appearing one after the other. But, before you can even process what is appearing in front of your eyes, a hideous monster shows up out of nowhere. It"s dead set to destroy you. Yet, strangely...even the monster seems to be suffering. What could this mean?

You run for your life scared and confused. Before you can unravel these mysteries, you wake up in a cold sweat. Only for the cycle to repeat itself every night when the bell tolls ten. What is going on? Why is this happening?

You agree to meet those strangely familiar young men in the real world to figure out a way to stop the cycle. It seems the nightmares are somehow connected to your shrouded past. Unfortunately, you also find out that if you die in the nightmare world...you die in the real world.

Will you survive the night? Will you solve the mystery? Can you put an end to this life-threatening cycle of nightmares? Or will you be forever tormented by your past? Ready or not, embark on an emotional journey of self-discovery, friendship, love, and survival!

"Aaah, why did the professor have to give us homework?" My best friend Anna mentioned walking back home.

"I want to spend the weekend shopping, not answering assignments!" She complained.

I chimed in with her stating.

" yeah, I wanted to catch up on my TV shows too."

We continued walking and talking about the plans for the weekend and nothing else important till we reach the intersection.

"Well I am gonna go this way." Anna said pointing at the direction she is gonna go.

I nodded and waved.

"Alright, I see you later."

I continue to wave goodbye to Anna till she crosses the intersection, we've been friends from the start of my university classes. A while ago after I graduated from high school, my friends and buddies all moved far away for their university. We still chat here and there online, but it still makes me feel rather lonely.

I started back to walking home, thinking back about my childhood.

I don't really remember my friends when I was little, do I?..

My memories of my childhood has always been a blur. The only feeling I get is, that something is missing, I know there must be something but I don't know what it could be, I can't recall much of anything, not a lot anyways.

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 normal kids? The answer is I don't know. Sometimes I ponder on this from time to time, but everytime I do all I feel is indescribable emptiness, but....

"I'm Home!" I yelled when I entered through the front door of my house.

" Hello (Y/N)!" My parents replied greeting me. Both in unison but from different locations.

I took a deep breath smelling something delicious.

"Something smells good." I stated.

"Doesn't it?" My dad chimed in, bubbly as ever.

He walked over and sat down on the couch, then looking at me before saying.

"Your mom's making curry tonight."

And just like that my mom popped her head out of the kitchen pointing her ladle at me and said.

" (Y/N), I filled the bathtub up for you, so you should clean up before dinner."

"Okay! Sure!" I said more enthusiasticly than should.

I make my way up to my room, but the smell of the curry is making me really hungry.

Yeah, I admit, from time to time I do feel empty, but whenever I see the smiling faces of my parents....

"(Y/N)! Dinners ready!" My mom spoke.

.... It makes me feel really lucky.

"Coming!" I replied back, heading down for dinner.

A little while later, my parents went to bed, while I stayed in the living room to watch my shows. I peeked at the clock, reading 9:45 PM.

"Its almost time." I said smiling almost giddy.

A few more seconds past, and I could feel the tiredness of the day weighing itself on me, but feeling determine to watch my shows, so i slap my cheeks to keep myself awake.

"Not now (Y/N), you can't fall asleep right now, you've waited for this new episode for a whole week. " I said to myself, to try and motivate myself to keep awake.

I sat down on the couch and snuggling myself into the corner of it, watching the TV as the commercials run. A few minutes later I could feel my eyes slowly closing, my eyelids feeling heavy.

No...

I blink hard and open my eyes wide to contain my sleepiness as much as I can.

I need to know what happens next!

But before I realized it, the TV screen started to get distort, my vision blurring and the images askewing on the screen. Then just spontaneously, a ring of bell, sounding, almost echoing in my ears.

What is this sound?

My vision gets more blurry and hazy, to the point all I see is just a bright light.

What is this? I don't want to fall asleep just yet, I... I can't!

Despite all the efforts I made, and the attempts to keep awake were all in vain, as I slowly and surely felt myself dozing off, and not long before I knew it, I was out like a light.

Then I opened my eyes, seeing nothing but pure black and darkness surrounding me.

"Huh? What just happened?" I softly asked myself. Unsure whats going on.

Am I in my room?

Unsure of the circumstances, my breath catches in my throat, a unsettling feeling slowly creeping up.

Something is not right.

I take slow and steady deep breaths, to calm my shaking nerves, trying every ounce of being to not panic.

After a while, my eyes slowly started to adjust to the dark.

Where the hell am I?

I don't know why, or how, but I started getting a feeling of familiarity.

Didn't I fall asleep in the living room though?

I twisted my body to the side. I froze when my eyes widen at what they were looking at. I nearly felt my heart jumping out of my chest. Next to me I see a figure of a young man fast asleep.

What in the world?

As confusion and curiosity took over me, I peeped down to have a closer look at him. He was out to the world, seemingly peacefully.

He seems harmless.

"E-Excuse me..." I spoke up softly in caution.

I reached to his shoulders and lightly shake him. I can hear him audioably groaning while his eyebrows scrunch together.

"Hey, wake up." I spoke again, a little louder to be heard but still quite.

"Mmmnng..." He groaned.

His eyes slowly flutter open as he tries to sit up.

"Where...?" He spoke looking at the room, seemingly confused.

I sat up straightly looking at him.

"Um... Do you know where we are? I suddenly woke up here and..." I tried speaking.

Assumingly hearing me, he slowly turned and looked at me, and when he did, I was left speechless. His straight down, curly at the end white hair, dazzling heterochromia eyes, a blue and red mix, being astonished by his uniqueness, I left out a small gasp.

"Wow." I exclaimed quite, nearly a whisper.

With a impulse I stated.

"Your eyes are so beautiful."

Seemingly startled by my complement, he hurriedly covers his face with his hands.

"No, don't look!" He slightly yelled.

Feeling bad for saying something he must of not liked I responded.

"Oh, I am sorry.."

Did I accidentally say something to offend him?

I tried to reach out to him but he turns away from me.

"Stay away from me."

"But-"

Just as I was gonna respond a another male voice pops up.

"Man, you're so damn loud."

Startled, I jump in surprise. I slowly look over my shoulder to see another red haired male staring down at me.

He looks terrifying!

"The hell are you being so nosy for, huh?"

Scared I quickly replied stuttering.

"I-i am sorry!"

Out of no where a loud yawn echos through out the room. In the corner another man, stands up stretching, his mouth wide open in a yawn.

"What time is it?" He asked sleepily rubbing the back of his light brown hair.

"Hmm? Its still dark?" He questioned but it seemed more like to himself.

"Can we go back to sleep?" He ask looking at us.

After a few minutes it had seemingly dawned on him.

"Aaah!!! Where am I?! Who are you people?!" He yelled in a panic.

A another person, a woman suddenly wakes up in a panic cause of the commotion.

So there is five of us? Why though?

Five complete strangers, taken to a complete strange place. Something feels wrong about this, really fishy.

The red hair male spoke up.

"Hey, hey, calm down." He spoke in a gentle voice, seemingly trying to soothe the panicked woman.

"I think we are all in the same boat here, but why are we here?" He questioned.

"I-i can't be here! I have a date tomorrow! I have to get home." The woman freaked out more.

"Everybody settle down!"

The red haired, varsity jacket male takes charge of this sudden situation. I stood up to get a better look at him, but before I can he moved to the center of the room.

"Does anyone have any idea where we are?" He asked looking at everyone.

The brown hair male looked at the Red haired in surprised.

"Jeez, why are you starting with that? Shouldn't we get know each other first, before interrogating us?" He said smiling at each of us.

That's nice of him, he's trying to make everyone feel at ease.

Not long after the tension in the room subsides.

"I am Thoma." The brown haired male introduce himself putting his hands in his blue jacket.

Everyone looked at him without saying a word.

"I am (Y/N)." I decided to introduce myself.

"Oh nice to meet you (Y/N)."

The brown radish hair woman speaks up.

"Oh well then my turn. I'm Monica. I am fashion design student, and I already have a very cool boyfriend!" She exclaimed happily.

"But ahh I miss him right now." He spoke the last part softly.

There's is something childlike in Monica's charm. It's kinda.... Adorable.

"Sure you do, Haha." Thoma speaks up chuckling.

The red hair speaks up.

"Names Ray."

I looked at him in confusion.

That's it??

I would be lying to myself if I didn't say I was expecting something more, more dramatic or something.

He seems pretty bossy, but not very talkative.

Ray must have caught me staring at him cause he turned his head towards me.

"Wh-what?" I speak up awkwardly.

"You there. The sooner you speak the sooner we can plan things out." He spoke to me in a somewhat aggressive manner

Oh...

I noticed some movement from the corner of my eyes, I look over and see the white hair Heterochromia eyes standing up. He slowly but surely let his hands down, revealing the shine in his eyes.

I really did mean what I said, his eyes are just beautiful.

"My name is Subaru."

Subaru, huh....

For reason his name strikes a chord within me. He lightly glances at me, his red eye glimmering from behind his bangs.

There is something oddly familiar about those eyes of his.

I tried my hardest to think back to when I have seen them before, but I have no recollection to ever meeting him.

Am I just imagining things??

"Now that we got to know each other, things are little less scary aren't they?" Thoma spoke give a small smile chuckling, ending me up smiling with him.

Well that was a fact the atmosphere was extremely tense earlier. I am glad someone cheerful like Thoma is here to make it better.

"Right, now we got to know each other, lets get to the matter at hand and figure out where we are and why. So everyone gather around." Ray spoke up.

We all huddled together on the floor together in a circle.

"Has anyone ever been here before?" Ray asked us.

I look around the room, scanning it from one corner to the other. The room is a pretty average looking bedroom, of course aside from the fact, its dark with a blood moon shining brightly outside, illuminating us.

Nothing seems to abnormal, or strange, but I got a odd feeling in the pit of my stomach. Should I mention it though? With everything going on?

"Nope, not me." Thoma answered.

"Me neither, this place is way too creepy for my taste." Monica responded.

Ray turns his attention to Subaru, in return, he just shakes his head, then he turns to me.

"Well, not really but...." I started off

"But?"

"I just have this gut feeling, but I guess it's not much helpful information, is it?"

Of course as expected Ray doesn't say a word, till.

"Can you tell me what was the last thing you were doing before you came here?"

Monica excitedly giggles.

"I was snuggling with my boyfriend, it was very warm and cozy." Monica spoke all giggly, cupping her cheeks as she blushes.

"Hehe, this is so embarrassing. We were on the couch and-"

"Aha okay, Me next." Thoma interrupted Monica

"I remember browsing the internet, getting ready to sleep. Nothing unusual to mind you."

Yeah that is pretty normal. Mine was bassically the same way, I was deteremind to watch my TV show till I got sleepy.

" I was on the couch waiting for the newest episode of my favourite show on TV. It come on around 10, which is rather late then i am suppose to be up."

"10 at night?" Ray ask surprisingly.

I nod and Ray places his finger under his nose as if he is thinking of something.

"Now that you mention it, it was about the same time for me as well." Thoma butted in saying.

Ah that can be a clue.

"Something was ringing as well." Subaru calmly claim.

"In my ears." He finished

"Yes, I had that happen to me as well." I boldly related to him.

"Yeah it was a bit painful if I remember." Thoma agreed.

When the bell suddenly strikes 10 o'clock I suddenly became very sleepy.

"What about you Monica?" Ray asked

"I don't really remember well, but maybe? I was sitting with my boyfriend."

"Enough about you boyfriend."

Monica pouts glaring at Ray.

Haha, she does seem obsessed with him.

"You simply don't understand a sensibility of a woman in love Ray." Thoma spoke

"I don't need to know, its not important right now." Ray snapped at Thoma.

Thoma just shrugs, looking at me, making a face teasingly mocking Ray. I would have laughed but by my better judgment I bit my lower lip to contain my laughter.

I don't know if it is just me, but Ray and Thoma seem like they know each other a lot, or Thoma just likes teasing everyone.

Ray purses his lips together and lean back folds his arms across his chest as in deep thought.

"So we have already pinpointed three things about this situation."

Ray drops his arms putting them over his shins.

"First, that non of us has ever been here before, second we all begin feeling sleepy at 10 o'clock, and lastly we all experience some sort of tinnitus."

"Tinni-what?" Monica asked looking at Ray confused.

"Its a medical term for the ringing in our ears we experience." Subaru spoke up.

"Oh that sounds really smart." Thoma smiled

I curiously turned and looked at Ray.

I wanted to ask how he knew that word, but I don't think he would reply to me if I asked him. He then turns to Subaru clearly a bit impressed.

"are you a med student as well?" Ray asked him

"no." he replied simply.

Oh so Ray is a med student, that makes sense now, and Subaru seems to know a lot himself.

Then out of no where Thoma slaps Ray's leg.

"what about you Ray, what where you doing?" He asked him

In annoyance Ray abruptly yanked his long legs out of the way.

" I was studying of course."

"What? that is so boring. Who studies on a Friday night?"

"yeah!" Monica exclaimed butting into their conversation.

The atmosphere feels a lot less chilled and tense with Thoma and Monica around, I don't know if that should be a good thing or a bad thing.

"Friday nights are suppose to be for fun!" Monica continued on.

" I know, right? Partying with friends, drinking booze, getting wasted, that is the whole point." The two of them then share a high five that makes me smile.

At least we are all getting along just fine.

"If you have time for idle chit chat, then you have time to give insight of this situation we have all been thrown into." Ray annoyingly yelled at them two, clearly pissed.

I turn to look at the others, but they seem to be out of ideas.

Have they really not noticed?

"Hey, guys listen. We came here at a certain time, correct?" I stated

They all look at me expectantly, waiting for me to continue.

"But there isn't any clocks here. "

Everyone looked a bit surprised at my sudden statement, so I kept on.

"After we sat together, I looked around the room, and that was one of the things that stuck out to me."

Their eyes then started to scan the rooms looking for the clocks.

"Wow, you're right. I've been wondering what time it was for a while, but I kept on forgetting to ask though." Thoma stated

"Is it because..." Subaru started off looking down.

He looks up his face lighting up in the dark as if he is experiencing a moment in clarity.

"Does anyone have a watch?" He asked us

Ray immediately puts his right arm forward reveling his watch. We all looked at each other, thinking the exact same thing.

"Okay then, lets take a look shall we." Ray speaks.

We all hold our breaths in anticipation, as we slowly lean in to confirm our suspicions.

"Its.... Dead." Subaru whispered lightly but enough for us to hear him

The hand on Ray's watch tell a time, but it ain't moving what so ever, the watch stopped at 10.

"Oh boy, now we have absolutely no sense of time now." I whined a bit

It almost feels like our last thread of hope has suddenly snapped. Dread washes over me as a brief silence takes over the room.

"I am trying to make sense of this. We all came here after we fell asleep, but is this some sort of dream, or are we in like a different universe?" Thoma asked worryingly.

" A different universe?" I repeat the same question confusingly.

" Time is a construct. It's physically impossible to freeze time, given the laws of physics on Earth. The only way we can stop time, theoretically, would have to be in a place where the scientific laws allow it, but lack of clocks doesn't necessarily mean time has stopped. I could also mean time is still running, we just don't know how quickly." Thoma finished

Ray looked at him a bit astonished.

" That has to be the most sensible thing you have said since we woken up."

"Hey, I may not be as diligent as you, but I know my way around science." Thoma retorted Rays statement.

"I mean, you are not wrong, you're quite onto something, but..."

"We're just here." Subaru cut off Ray finishing the sentence.

"I was just gonna say that." Ray folds his arms again.

"What do you mean?" Being confused I asked them this.

Ray then answers my question.

"Traveling to a different dimension would require deliberate effort, but we didn't do anything."

"Right, we'd need to create a rift in space and go through it like you would a portal." Thoma joined in

"Well, I'm not exactly the top student in my physics class, so, tearing through space and bending time isn't my specialty." I mentioned awkwardly rubbing the back of my neck.

Thoma just laughs at my statement

"You're funny! haha, I like that."

"So, wait, are you basically saying we are on Earth, but not on earth? I am so confused. I just wanna go home!" Monica whined

"This is more likely to be a dream more than anything." Ray stated.

Sooner than later silence once again takes over the room, just when I was about to break the silence.

"eheehehehehe!"

Out of the blue, a little girl's laugh fills the room with a eeriness. Indescribable terror and fear takes over my body, freezing me in place.

"W-wh-what was that?"

"ehehehehehee!"

The sounds of the little girls laughter grows louder by the second.

"I don't like this anymore." Monica stated, obviously freaking out, clinging onto Thoma's arm for some sort of comfort.

The eerie laughter kept growing louder, I desperately resist the urge the panic, knowing it wouldn't do any of us good, especially Monica. Just as I was clenching my fist, the laughter suddenly stops, leaving it in complete horrifying silence.

Immediately, I have a sense that something was coming from the door, the only door in this room. Everyone stares motionless at the door, waiting for what ever to come. My heart racing from the sheer sense of fear, anticipation, and dread. Then suddenly, the door slowly creaks. Everyone stared a what seems to be a little girl with red hair, standing in front of the door. Things started to get even more freaky as she approaches us with a unfaltering smile.

"Oh boy, this is starting to creep me out." Thoma whispered

As the door opens slowly, the little girl's laughter grows even louder than before.

"Ehehee! Do you want to come with me?"

Its only just kid, right? At least, that's what I kept telling myself, but I can't seem to shake off the fear and anxiety.

Wh-What is going on here?

"Who are you?" Ray spoke up

"Ehehehee!"

"Maybe she wants us to follow her?" Monica stated

Monica slowly lets go of Thoma's arm, looking intently at the little girl in front of us. Monica's eyes looked somewhat vacant.

"Monica, Wait!" I yelled at her

"Hee hee!"

"Do you know where we are?" Monica asked the little girl

but she doesn't answer instead she smiles and then turns and walks away.

"No, wait!" Monica called out

Before anyone of us could stop her from going, Monica gets up and runs out the door.

"Monica!" I yelled for her

She was out of sight, and we are all at a loss on what to do.

She really shouldn't go running off like that, let alone by herself.

Just when I was about to speak.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!"

Just like that, a shrill cry of fright was heard, making us even more freaked out than before, I gulp and spoke up quitely.

"Th-That was Monica!"

I get to my feet quickly to go after her, but Thoma catches my arm before I can.

"Lets not do anything rash. Don't be reckless."

"But-"

"We have no idea what where dealing with at the moment (Y/N). The best thing we can do right now is stick together. " Ray explains

He's right. Nothing good will come from me trying to go out alone. I need to calm and get ahold of myself before I do something I will regret.

Thoma lets go of my arm slowly as Ray explains more.

"We all came here scared and confused, so lets do what we can for each other, okay?"

My eyes widen at his sincere words for minute

I didn't think Ray knew how to be so encouraging.

"Okay... I just hope Monica is okay."

"Right, lets head out and investigate this, Take what you can to protect yourselves, or something to use as a weapon."

We cautiously make our way outside into a black empty hallway, I found myself a baseball bat inside of the room, while the guys each armed themselves with random objects.

"What am I gonna do with this book, whack someone on the head with knowledge?" Thoma whispered holding a book.

"In that case, you should use it on yourself too." Ray whispered at Thoma's complaining.

"Subaru, are you alright there?" I whispered looking behind me seeing Subaru holding a plunger,

He doesn't answer but just nods.

"Everyone stay closed." Ray stated.

We continue cautiously trudge through the darkness, before long we started to hear sounds. As approaching closer we started to hear horrendous crunching sounds. We nod silently at each other and apprehensively turn around the corner. I gasp at the sight before us, to contain any screaming I put a hand over my mouth, shaking, terrified at what is before us.

A human leg is splattered on the floor, all covered in blood, and just next to it is a terrifyingly hideous monster. It stood tall, faces coming from its body, mouth a gap with sharp fangs bloodied, a eye centered of it, standing on four arm looking limps.

"Hungry..."

"What the hell is that?!" Thoma exclaimed just as terrified as me.

"Mommy... I'm.... Hungry..." The monster mutters and moans, the voice distorted, sending chills right through my body. The dismember limp starts moving as if its being pulled by someone.

"Help me, mommy. I'm hungry."

The shadow moves, revealing Monica's bloodied limp body.

Oh my God

I still keep my hand covered, trying my best not to scream out so badly.

N-no

"That's..." Ray trailed off

I'm stunned at what I'm seeing, before me is hideous creature, its teeth sharp and bloody, Monica lies dead, but the space besides her unfolds in a bright light.

Monica's..... dead? Just a little while ago, she was happily going on and on about her boyfriend and now she's...

The sounds of the monster's teeth munching, grinding and crunching of the bones and flesh echoes through the hallway. Everyone's probably thinking the exact same thing as me, unable to accept the facts right in front of our eyes, we just stare on Monica's dead massacred body. Then suddenly, a strange mist appears next to her body, and a little girl materializes from the mist.

"Hee Hee!"

It is the same little girl that Monica ran after, she's smiling happily as she rushes into a man's arms.

"Daddy! Hee Hee!"

" Monica! How's my little girl."

"Monica? What the heck is going on?" I asked myself questioning of the sight I am seeing before me.

In confusion, I turn and look at Ray.

"Does this mean that these were Monica's childhood memories all this time?" He spoke

Monica and her dad are smiling happily, their joyful expressions are very sharp contrast to the tragedy we witnessed on the ground.

"Are we being shown her memories?" I ponder.

"Hmm...maybe, but for now..." Ray started and trailed off, him turning and glaring at the monster.

Then the monster scowls at us like we are next on it's menu.

Just as I was about to panic, Subaru spoke up more of rushed sorta way.

"We should get out of here!"

"Hey, that's my line! Let's Go" Ray complained running back to the same room we woke up in, but my legs won't stop shaking.

Oh, come on! Run (Y/N), run!

I tried my best to take a step back as the monster approaches me.

"Graaahhh!!" The monster howled a spine chilling scream.

Ray looks back at me.

"What are you doing?! We gotta get outta here!" I grit my teeth, and turned around.

What was that? Why is this happening?

Mustering as much strength as I can to not break down and cry, I followed them.

"Hurry (Y/N)!" Ray yelled at me stretching out his hand for me to grab, and I run faster as I could to catch up.

Right when I get close enough to reach out for his hand.

"AH!" I screamed, the bells ringing in my ears again, sleepiness overtaking me.

No! Wait! I can't go to sleep right now! Not here! Not Now!

The ringing get louder in my ears, I squeeze my eyes shut, the last thing I feel is the light brush of Ray's skin on my fingertips.

"And now for our local news...

I am awakened by the sounds sirens blaring.

"Hmm?" I groaned rubbing my eyes and looking around

"Did I sleep here all night last night?" I asked myself.

"... A young woman was found dead this morning..."

The news from the TV keeps playing as I try my hardest to recall what was happening last night.

"... the victim, Monica Collins, was-"

I sudden froze at the mentioned name.

Monica?

I jumped up grabbed the remote and turned the volume up so I don't miss a thing.

"... Monica Collins was found dead in her partner's bedroom earlier this morning. The circumstances regarding this mysterious case are currently being investigated by local police."

I stare hard at the television, my heart beating hard and fast.

She was... in my dream...

I stand there, mouth agape, not believe what is happening and questioning how. There is absolutely no way this is all just coincidental, but wasn't it all just a bad dream? A indescribable feeling of dread and uneasiness shudders straight through my body.

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