NOVEL NEXT Chapter 41: Chapter 39 : The beginning of The Nightmare
"Are you sure you're not scared?" Alex teased, his voice playful as they approached the entrance of the haunted house. Luna's fingers tightened around his hand, her grip betraying a hint of nerves she didn't want to show.
"Me? Scared?" she scoffed, lifting her chin defiantly. "Of some silly human-made haunted house? Please."
But the way her eyes darted around, the slight stiffness in her shoulders... Alex smirked.
"Hey," he murmured, leaning close so his breath brushed against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. "You don't have to worry, okay? I'm right here." His thumb gently stroked her hand, offering reassurance.
"Stop acting like I'm a scared child," she shot back, but her words lacked their usual bite. Her fingers stayed tightly intertwined with his, and for a moment, his heart warmed at the thought that maybe, just maybe, she really did feel safer when he was beside her.
They stepped inside, darkness closing in around them, eerie noises echoing off the walls. Fake cobwebs brushed against their faces, and dim red lighting flickered, casting shadows that moved and twisted in ways that seemed almost alive. Alex chuckled softly as Luna jerked at a sudden creaking sound, her entire body tensing.
"Seriously?" he grinned. "The Elder Goddess of Wolves, scared of a few ghosts?"
She glared at him, opening her mouth to retort, but at that exact moment, something dropped from the ceiling—a fake spider on a string—and Alex yelped, stumbling back.
Luna's laugh rang out, bright and genuine, cutting through the eerie atmosphere. He blinked, momentarily stunned, then rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.
"Okay, I deserved that one," he admitted with a grin, watching her shake her head, amusement dancing in her eyes. The tension between them eased, their playful banter making even the haunted house seem less threatening.
But deep down, Luna knew it wasn't the decor or the jump scares that had her on edge. She forced a smile, but her gaze stayed sharp, scanning every shadow, every corner.
Something was here. Someone was here. And as they moved deeper into the winding maze of the haunted house, her unease only grew.
"Luna?" Alex called out, his voice a steady presence beside her. But then, without warning, a dense fog rolled in, swallowing him up.
"Alex?" she spun around, panic seizing her heart. "Alex, where are you?"
"I'm right here!" His voice echoed from somewhere nearby, but she couldn't see him. The fog thickened, pressing in on her, warping the world around her. She moved forward, hands outstretched, desperately trying to find him.
"Luna!" His voice sounded further away now, strained, frantic.
"I'm here!" she shouted, but the fog swallowed her words, pulling her deeper into its suffocating embrace. And then, the haunted house around her began to melt away—the walls fading, the eerie sounds falling silent.
In its place, A village began to take shape, cobblestone streets stretching out before her, the scent of freshly baked bread and wood smoke filling the air.
Luna's heart stopped.
No, no, no...
She knew this place.
She knew these people.
But for Luna, this idyllic scene was an inescapable nightmare. She stood frozen, her heart pounding in her chest as she scanned the familiar faces—faces she had once cherished, now hauntingly present in a past she longed to forget.
Elders gathered on the wooden benches, their wrinkled hands gesturing animatedly as they exchanged stories of days gone by. Young women with hair intricately braided chatted cheerfully, their laughter mingling with the sound of pots clanging in the distance.
And there, darting through the throng with boundless energy, was a little boy with bright eyes and a gap-toothed smile—Ezra.
"Ezra!" A warm voice called from across the square, and Luna's breath hitched, recognizing the melody of that voice.
She turned slowly, dread pooling in her stomach as an old lady stepped out of a cozy cottage, waving at the child. "It's time to come home, little one! Your mother is waiting, and your father will be back from the hunt soon!"
"Yes granny " The kid replied turning towards where Luna was standing .
Luna heart twisted painfully at the sight of the kid - Ezra, the very same boy she had seen at the gas station—the boy who had warned her countless times.
She had known him all this time , known who he was once to her .
He looked so innocent, so alive, just as he had been then. Panic surged within her as he obediently turned and started toward the house, his laughter ringing like a chime through the air.
"No! Ezra, run!" Luna shouted, her voice breaking, but it was as if she were trapped in glass—an echo of a memory that couldn't reach him. She felt weightless, a mere spectator in a world that was not her own, desperately wishing to intervene.
Ezra slipped into the cottage, and Luna's legs moved before she could comprehend what she was doing. She followed him inside, heart racing. The warmth enveloped her, and the aroma of herbs and simmering stew swirled around like a tender embrace. It felt so familiar, a long-forgotten comfort that made her ache.
"Mother!" Ezra called out, his laughter ringing through the air like a melody.
Luna stood frozen, her breath hitching in her throat as she watched the woman at the stove turn, her expression radiant.
It was her own past self, Elynn - The young lady Luna once was . The softness in Elynn's eyes was a stark contrast to the darkness Luna had come to know.
Luna was trapped in her own thousand year old fragment of past that she tried hard to bury. The woman she once was - Elynn.
"Ezra, wash your hands first!" Elynn chided playfully, her voice rich with affection. "You're not getting near my food with those filthy fingers."
The same old woman from earlier said sitting nearby, her face a map of laughter lines. "Oh, let him be, Elynn," she said, chuckling. "The boy's as harmless as a lamb, even if he is a little dirty."
Elynn shook her head, a smile playing on her lips. "Harmless now, but just wait until he sneaks a taste of the stew. I'll be the one cleaning up the mess!"
"Grandma, tell her I'm old enough to help in the kitchen!" Ezra protested, puffing out his chest dramatically.
"And ruin my recipe? Not a chance, young man!" Elynn laughed, her eyes sparkling with mirth.
"Aw, come on!" he whined, crossing his arms in mock defiance. "I just want to be as good a cook as you!"
"Please," Luna whispered, stepping closer, desperate for her past self to hear her. "Please don't go anywhere , whatever happens , Stay here. Stay with him."
But her pleas fell silent, lost in the swirl of time. The woman she had been - Elynn hummed softly, her focus on the bubbling pot, blissfully unaware of the impending doom. As if nothing could touch this moment—this perfect, simple life.
"Just you wait, my little chef," Elynn said, reaching down to ruffle Ezra's hair. "One day, you'll be making feasts that will rival even the best cooks in the village."
"Really?" Ezra's eyes lit up with excitement. "You promise?"
"Promise," Elynn said, her voice warm and sincere.
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed from outside, followed by a clamor of voices. Elynn's smile faded, and she turned toward the door, her brow furrowing in concern. "What was that?"
"Just the men getting rowdy again," the old woman said, waving it off. "Let them have their fun, Elynn. You know they'll be back for supper soon enough."
But a flicker of worry crossed Elynn's face. "I hope they're careful. I don't want Ezra to see anything frightening."
Ezra peered out the window, curiosity shining in his eyes. "Can I go see, Mother?"
"No, stay in here," Elynn said firmly, her maternal instinct kicking in. "It's not safe. Your father will be back soon."
Luna felt her heart race, the sense of dread creeping in. She wanted to warn them, to shout that danger was approaching, but she was trapped—merely a spectator in this haunting memory.
"Do you think Dad will bring back something special?" Ezra asked, his excitement bubbling over.
"I hope so," Elynn replied, her smile returning. "Maybe some fresh game for the stew or herbs from the forest?"
Ezra grinned, imagining the feast. "And maybe he'll bring me a new hunting knife! I'm big enough now, right?"
"Maybe when you're older," Elynn said, laughter dancing in her voice. "But for now, your job is to help me cook."
Just then, a loud crash shattered the lighthearted atmosphere, and the ground trembled beneath them. Elynn's smile vanished, and she exchanged worried glances with the old woman.
"That doesn't sound good," she whispered, her voice trembling.
"Stay here, Ezra," Elynn instructed, moving toward the door. "I'll go see what's happening."
"Mom, no!" Ezra protested, panic rising in his voice. "You can't leave!"
But Elynn was already opening the door, stepping out into the unknown. "I'll be right back. Just stay put!"
"Elynn, don't!" Luna screamed to her own self , but instead of returning Elynn turned around staring right at Luna and for a moment Luna felt that Elynn could see her but then Elynn walk through her like Luna was a thin air .
Elynn walked through the door
Ezra stood frozen, eyes wide with fear. "Mother!" he called, his voice cracking.
Luna reached out, desperate to pull Elynn back, to save them all from what she knew was coming.
"Please, don't go!" she cried, her heart shattering as she watched her past self vanish into the chaos.
A flurry of shouts erupted outside, mingled with the sound of clashing metal and the crackle of flames. Luna felt the ground shift beneath her, the warmth of the kitchen fading into cold terror.
"Why did i left to check outside ? what if i had stayed ,?"she whispered to herself, tears streaming down her cheeks as she watched the door close, sealing their fate.