Midnight Dream – Chapter 6
My twenty-first birthday started off... normal.
For once, nothing felt heavy.
No memories pulling at me.
No shadows following me around.
Just peace.
Like I'm really 21 today. I couldn't even believe it. A friend I met at work texted me happy birthday, and that alone made me feel special.
Wow... 21.
I didn't think I would ever see it. After everything I've been through, it felt good to have a year to myself, focusing on me and my mental health.
For once, I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders.
Like I could be normal again.
The two girls I met at work were taking me out to dinner and then to the movies. I couldn't remember the last time I had fun, but I knew I was going to enjoy tonight.
I got up and started preparing. I woke up late, around 2, because I stayed up watching a funny series. Now I was dragging a little, but I couldn't stop smiling.
I tried not to show too much happiness.
I didn't want Mama to somehow ruin my day, even from a distance.
I went into the bathroom and got ready. My hair needed fixing, and I practiced doing my makeup from videos on my phone. It wasn't perfect, but it was mine.
I showered, curled my hair tight so it would last, and got dressed.
By the time I finished, I actually felt... pretty.
Ready.
They picked me up, and we headed to a restaurant called Patience. It was nice. Really nice.
We got seated, ordered, and just talked.
I sat there thinking, wow... this is amazing.
I thanked them for taking me out and told them how happy I was.
"You're welcome," they said, smiling.
We laughed all night. For a moment, I forgot everything.
We almost forgot we had a movie to catch.
We paid, grabbed our things, and headed to the theater.
I checked my phone for the time and saw I had a missed call from an unknown number. I didn't think anything of it. I never answer numbers I don't know.
I put my phone back into my purse and kept enjoying my night.
On the way there, my phone started ringing again.
I rolled my eyes, thinking it was probably Mama, calling to ruin my happiness like always.
But it was the same unknown number.
It kept ringing.
Again.
And again.
Something felt off.
So I answered.
"Hello, who is this?"
Silence.
Then breathing.
Then—
"Happy birthday, princess."
My heart dropped.
My head felt heavy.
I hung up so fast I could barely breathe.
It was him.
How did he get my number?
How?
My thoughts spiraled.
How turned into why.
Why me?
Why now?
Why today?
We got to the movies, and I told the girls I had to use the bathroom.
I rushed inside and stood in front of the mirror.
Not him again.
Not today.
"What the hell..." I whispered, splashing water on my face.
The door opened behind me.
I didn't look up at first. I assumed it was another woman.
Then I heard it.
A chuckle.
"Well... you look pretty, my little princess."
My head snapped up.
My body froze.
"What do you want from me?" I said, my voice shaking. "Please... leave me alone. Not today. It's my birthday. How did you find me?"
"You're mine," he said calmly. "And you will never be hard to find."
He stood between me and the door.
Blocking my way out.
He stepped closer and grabbed my throat, dragging me into one of the stalls.
"I called you so many times, and you ignored me," he said, his voice tightening. "How could you make me mad on your special day, princess? You know daddy loves you."
I tried to scream.
Nothing came out.
Then I felt it.
Cold.
The metal pressed against my head.
My breath caught.
And in that moment...
I knew.
This wasn't just about control anymore.
He would really do it.
"Make a sound," he whispered, "and I'll kill you... and me. That way we can always be together."
Everything inside me went still.
Not because I wanted to...
But because I had to.
I went quiet.
My body stopped fighting.
But my mind didn't.
It screamed.
It begged.
It broke.
And just like that...
everything I thought I escaped...
found me again.
Time didn't exist in that moment.
Neither did I.
When it was over, someone walked into the bathroom.
He stood on the toilet, hiding, the gun still aimed at me.
I didn't even breathe.
She left.
And then he did too.
Like nothing ever happened.
I stayed in that bathroom for hours.
Staring at myself.
Not recognizing the person looking back at me.
The movie ended.
The girls came looking for me.
"Girl, where were you?" they asked.
I looked at them.
And lied.
"I had the runs," I said. "I couldn't leave the bathroom."
They laughed.
"Girl, it must've been that salmon. We feel the same way."
We left.
Just like that.
They couldn't see it.
How could they?
I've gotten really good...
at hiding bodies.
They dropped me home and drove off.
I walked into the house like nothing happened.
Like I always do.
I went straight to my room, closed the door behind me, and locked it.
My body felt heavy...
but my mind?
My mind was louder than ever.
I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at my hands.
They were shaking.
Not from fear.
Not this time.
From something else.
Something darker.
I wiped the tears from my face and looked up.
"This isn't over," I whispered.
"This will never be over... unless I end it."
I took a deep breath.
I knew then...
if I stayed...
I wouldn't survive the next time.
For the first time...
I wasn't just scared of him.
I was tired of him.
And that scared me even more.
That was the night I realized...
I wasn't the same girl anymore.
And next time...
I wouldn't be the one running.