I hate nightmares.

            When I was little, I never had any. No closer monsters, no boogey men. Nothing. But now.. they’re all I do have, and some nights I don’t even sleep. They are just that bad.

            The funny thing is that it is always the same one. It’s ridiculous. Even though I know exactly what’s going to happen, I wake up just as scared as ever.

            And tonight was one of those nights. I just sat there in bed, counting the number of dots on my bed spread.

            When I glanced over to the nightstand, the glow of the bright blue alarm clock hurt my eyes. It was 1:39 in the morning… fabulous.

            Sighing, I brushed off the sheets and stumbled down the stairs. The door creaked slightly when I opened it, but I don’t think my parents heart.

            I settled into the cushion on the porch swing and stared up at the moon. There was a soft mist lingering in the air, and the leaves rustled gently around me. But something just didn’t feel right.

            My eyes settled on the playground across the street from my house.

            And then I saw her.

            She was rocking ever so gently back and forth on the swing in which she sat. I stood up and crossed the road. Reaching the fence, I looked back at my house. Maybe I should just turn around now and go back. Maybe I should go to bed and forget about the girl in the park. But my stupidity got the better of me.

            “Hey!” the curtain of hair shielding her face did not move. “Hey you!” The girl on the swings!” Still nothing. “Are you okay?” I opened the fence gate and timidly stepped closer to her.

            “No.” A raspy whisper escaped pale lips as icy blue eyes turned to face me. A voice in the back of my mind told me to get out of there, go home, run away.

            “Can I call someone? My house is right over there. What’s your name? Maybe I can help.” I took another step forward and examined her tired frame. She looked skinny, as if she hadn’t really eaten in days, and heavy, dark circles stood out around her eyes compared to her ghostly white completion. Dark hair framed her face, and a small silver cross hung around her neck. She was not a normal girl.

            “My name isn’t important. And there is no one to call.” I knew it wasn’t wise or even safe to do so, but I knelt beside her and grasped the chain of the swing to steady myself.

            She shrunk away from me and shifted her eyes back to the dirt below. The chill that surrounded her kept me frozen in place.

            “What happened to you?” Her eyes found mine again. She wrapped her hand around the one I had on the chain and leaned in close. I felt her cold breath against my cheek, and almost instantly, my eyes closed of their own accord.

“Let me show you.” Then everything went black.