There was a dark alley. I could sense the presence of someone there. I could feel it rattling through my bones.

While walking, I saw a small child, perhaps a girl, standing still at the other side. In the typical horror movies, they’ll go near the child, but I wouldn’t dare. I did the opposite, running away of course, but I could not see any other way to get out of the alley.

I heard a loud sound coming from behind me. I didn't want to look and so continued running. I was completely out of breath while my heart was pounding like a wild animal trying to escape my chest until I couldn’t help it and screamed, crying for help, only to realise that I was on my bed the whole time. I felt relieved.

It was a dark and gloomy morning. I tried to stand up but my feet felt as if they were glued to the bed. Feeling lazy to get up, I rolled on the bed.

A few seconds later, I got up and walked out of my bedroom. Something felt very strange. I usually wake up to my parents' calls but, as far as I know, I haven’t heard them this morning. I called my parents' phones but my calls went to voicemail. Maybe they had an important meeting to attend early in the morning, I thought.

As it was still dark, I decided to go for a swim in the pool to freshen up. I was training for my laps and then, I sensed that something was not right. I could feel something pulling my feet deep in the water. My mind was racing, thinking of something to make myself feel calm. Maybe I just woke up late or maybe I hadn't had my breakfast yet. Ignoring it, I continued swimming.

After that, I went for a shower. I noticed multiple bruises on my legs. I was uneasy about it. Ignoring it, I went out of the shower to get ready. It felt weird to not hear my brothers’ loud voices in the morning. I guess they were just asleep and I’d rather not wake them as I want my day to be peaceful and quiet.

I made myself a cup of chamomile tea to go with some biscuits. I was accompanied by the wind blowing through my hair while the dry leaves were falling from the branches.

The dream that I had kept on swarming through my head. I felt slightly dizzy and suddenly, I heard really loud thuds upstairs. I rushed upstairs, breathing heavily, and started to feel worried and scared.

The sounds kept getting louder and it felt like my ears were going to bleed.

I gazed up and saw a tall woman with blood all over her clothes. At that moment, my body was shaking tremendously.

She grabbed my neck and squeezed it. I was trying to push her away as I couldn't breathe but the grasp kept getting tighter. I squealed for help but no one came. I felt my body getting weak and I passed out.

It felt like hours before I woke up and found myself lying on the bed in the hospital. I was utterly confused how I got there. I freaked out and started screaming for help.

The doctor attended me and I asked how I got there. The doctor said that I had been there for three days already. I remembered what happened so I searched for my bruises and they were all still there. I had a new bruise on my neck. I was really confused as the doctor stood there grinning at me.

I asked the doctor about my bruises and he said that he had never seen them. The doctor tried to calm me down by saying that I was just hallucinating but I knew what I saw, there was also proof.

Hours passed by and I was still on the bed thinking what could possibly happen. I heard someone banging on the door to my room. Again, I saw the same woman who tried to choke me. My body started to tremble again and I begged her not to hurt me.

She whispered in my ears, “You’re already dead.”

I was baffled by her statement. She showed me to another room. Slowly, I followed her, and saw my parents.

At first, I was relieved to see them but something felt wrong. They were crying.

I peeped through the window and saw a body lying on the bed. There was no movement, as if she was paralysed. And then I noticed that the body was me.