My life after high school begins right now and I still does not know why I keep on having

the same
dream for the past 3 years after mum’s death. Dad was worried and I need to find a way to
overcome or get rid of this nightmare. Every time when I ask him about mum’s death, he always
change the topic.

“Katie! Wake up, it’s almost time to get ready. Don’t forget, it’s your result day” dad shouting from
the kitchen. I yawned and answered, “Okay!! Coming!”. I wake up like any other day getting ready
before going to school. While I was brushing my teeth, I keep on questioning like why did I always
have the same nightmare and what does it mean. When I wakes up, I will always forget some parts
of it. I just remembered being chase by anonymous person that I never meet before.

I went down and dad is preparing breakfast for the both of us. After mum’s death, dad was the
only who took really good care of me and he supported me. By the way, my dad’s name is Adam.
He is 33 years old and a single dad. “Still having the same nightmare huh?” dad questioned. I
sighed “Yeah, as always. But I always forgot what is it about.” Dad kept quiet. Both of us hurried
and ate our breakfast. After that, we went to my school to get my result. It came out very good and
dad was happy about it. “Let’s have lunch after this assembly. To celebrate your high school
graduation” dad said happily. I nodded.

We arrived our favourite restaurant and we even ordered the same dish like we always did. Me and
dad came here several times and the owner there even became dad’s friend. Suddenly while both
of us on our half way of eating, dad make a serious face and said “I left some savings for you just
in case for your future purpose. This is a present from your mum and me before she died”. I opened
it. It was an amulet. I got confuse and at the same time, I push my seat and wakes up “Thank you,
Dad. I’m going to the ladies. You continue your food without me” and I gave a small smile to him.
It is not that I am upset it’s just I don’t know what to say after I receive the present. So, I am trying
to avoid that situation right now.

While I was on my way to the ladies, I bumped into a guy. I quickly said “I’m so sorry. I hope I
did not hurt you” That guy gave a smile and replied “It’s okay, you did not hurt me” Then, I walk
away but my arm was pulled by him. I looked at him with confusion. “By any chance, is there any
way I would like to know you?” he asked. I was so confused but then I kept quiet. He chuckled,
“You’re shy huh? Can I have your Instagram? You know, to be friends with you if you don’t mind”.
I was in a hurried so I agreed exchange our Instagram profile.
After done going to the ladies, I came back to our table and found out that the guy is not there
anymore. While I was ready to be seated, dad asked what took it so long to come back. I explained,
dad nodded and both of us continue our meal. Hours went by and the day is getting darker. Dad
calls it a day and ready to get the bill so that we can go back early to rest.

In the car, both of us were vibing our favourite song named “LA Devotee” by Panic! At the Disco.
Not only that, but other songs as well. We reached home after that and I unbuckled my seatbelt
and went in the house. “I have things to do, you go ahead and rest. Good night, Katie.” Dad gave
a soft smile. Right after I finish bathing and get ready to bed, “Ding” a notification from my phone.
“Who it might be?” questioned myself. “Hey, I was the guy you bumped into just now. How are
you? Sorry, I’m so rude. My name is Jayden”. Calmly, I replied his text.

We started texting after that moment. We called almost every day and we invited each other to
hang out which we did. Days goes by but one thing that is bothering me. Every time when I hang
out with him, people around us look at us weirdly and they are mummering about us. Well, at first,
I was kind of distracted and overthink but time goes by, I just ignore them. I never felt as happy
as a girl get a free food from a stranger as she did not eat for a few days when I was with him.

But, the more I hang out with him, the more real the nightmare is. I felt that I’ve seen him before
but I do not know where. Good thing is, Jayden still stayed beside me even though I told him about
my nightmare. While me and Jayden was having ice cream, he said that he would like to crash a
night at my place as he is having a little fight with his family. Without hesitation, I agreed. I text
day saying Jayden will be coming over tonight. Dad replied “Okay. I will be preparing an extra
dinner tonight then)”

We both fell asleep after we reaching home. Then, I heard the living room’s door closed and
quickly check my phone to know what time is it. “It’s 10pm” I got panicked. Dad realized that the
dinner was untouched by me and Jayden. He felt disappointed but at the same time, he felt happy
that Katie finally had a boyfriend or maybe a friend but a guy. He then texted me asking both us
to have dinner together with him. I woke Jayden up but I failed as he is a deep sleeper. So, I decide
to have dinner with dad instead. Dad was surprised that I came down alone. He asked out of
curiosity “Where’s your boyfriend? My mistake, Jayden.” Katie answered disappointedly “He fell
asleep and I couldn't wake him up, we can have our dinner together instead if you don’t mind”
“But I had already prepared for Jayden’s portion. It’s kinda waste if we can’t finish it.” Dad gave
a sad face. “Don’t worry, we can finish it. We are like dinosaurs, right?” I giggled. Both of us
laughed.
It is almost past 12 and both of us had finished our dinner. After washing the dishes, both of us
went back our bed. “Thanks, dad” while I was smiling. Dad was curious but he just nodded and
goes back into his room. I then fell asleep beside Jayden. Few hours passed by but I woke up out
of shock and found out Jayden was not beside me. “Maybe he just went for a toilet break”. I decide
to get up and grab a cup of water in the kitchen. “Bang” a noise coming from the outside. With
curiosity, I went and check what is going on. There was no one. “Bang!”
I woke up with a shock. I looked for Jayden and I flet relived as he is still beside. I get up and grab
a cup of water in the kitchen. “Bang!” The same sound I heard in my dream. Then I went and
unlocked the door. No one, but the sound came from upstairs. I ran and check what happen. While
I reach to the second floor, I started to feeling something is off. There is a girl chopping something
and putting it on the stove. It’s like the girl is cooking someone’s hand. She stopped her and yelled
at her “WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!” the girl replied with a grin “What? Never seen someone
cooking a flesh? Don’t worry, it's mum’s hand and I bet it is delicious. Do you want some??”
handing a spoon of soup full of meat to me.
I runs back to my house as I doesn’t know what to do. Jayden then saw me and asked what happen
while hiding something behind his back. Without hesitation, I started crying and said “The dream,
it came true! It really came true!! I think I need to wake dad up.” Jayden stopped me and said
“Maybe you are hallucinating. Don’t worry.” I got curious and questioned Jayden what is he hiding
behind him. He then showed me. It was a knife. “Are you trying to kill me?” I asked. Jayden gave
a grin and smile and replied ‘Yes! After all, this is just a dream, right? As what you said.”
I pushed Jayden away and begin to run. I tried to pinch herself while I was running. Jayden then
shouts “What are you running for? It is just a dream after all! HAHAHAHA” I ignore and ran to
one of my neighbour’s houses to seek help. They were chill and there was no facial expression on
their faces after I explained everything. But they said that I can stay for a while Then I got shocked
and panic after seeing one of the children stab one of their sisters. I screamed. One of the siblings
said “Stop shouting. This is for our ritual. We are doing a blood bath to summon the devil”
Jayden then showed up. “There you are. I was looking for you. Now be a good girl and let me just
kill you. It will be quick.”
I pushed Jayden away and continue running. I ran and ran there is no way out. It's like a maze even
though I had stayed in the apartment ever since I was born. I finally run back to my house and
decide to wake dad up. “Dad! Dad! Wake up!” I shouted panickily. Dad woke up in shock and ask
what happened. I explained everything but dad assume that I am having nightmare again. I turned
and drag dad not to get out of the room. Then I saw Jayden standing in the hallway. I shouted and
dad was confused. “What is it, Katie?!” “Jayden, Jayden is in the hallway” I heart beats rapidly.
“There is no one Katie!” said dad while shaking my shoulder.
Dad collapsed. I was worried then felt something hot and wet on dad’s stomach. It was his blood.
“No, No, No” I cried. “He is the last victim. Thank you, Katie. You make our wishes come true. I
was not going to kill you but your dad. In order to kill him, you have to wake him up. This is what
sacrifices are for. You know” Jayden gave a huge smile. “Why? Why him but not me?” I asked.
“Well, I want to see you suffer. The amulet that your dad gave, it’s just something that makes you
imagining something that happens in your dream come true in your reality,” replied Jayden. “You
are telling lie, Jayden!! This is a dream!” I said. “If t’s a dream, then why can’t you wake yourself
up by pinching yourself while you were running away from me just now?” asked Jayden. ‘You are
lying! “I replied. ‘Katie” Dad groaned. “Who are you talking to? Why did you stab me?” “I did
not stab you. Jayden did!” Who’s Jayden? I have never seen him before but you keep on
mentioning about him,” asked dad in pain.
I went speechless then I realize all this time I was talking, and hanging out with no one but myself.
This is why everyone was mumbling when I went out with the so-called ‘Jayden”. She was the
one that stab her own dad. Her dad is getting out of breath. “This is what you had did to your mum
last time. You had suffered from mental illness but I was denying that. The nightmare you always
had; you had experienced it before when you killed your mum. Leave me here and burn this house.
Don’t tell anyone what had happened tonight. Burn the amulet. It was a mistake that I gave you
the amulet at the first place. Use the money that I gave you and do what you want. I want you to
be happy.” dad smiled before he took his last breath. I sat there and cried for hours while holding
her dad on my arms. Meanwhile, Jayden stand close to me and whispered “Well, burn the house.
Make our dream come true and yours too. But you will suffer alone if you try to get rid of the
amulet. You will never find happiness without it.”
I get up and does what dad ask. I burned the house and left without saying goodbye. Years pass by
and I am alone. Well, partially alone. Don’t forget about Jayden. He will be always beside me. The
only memory and amulet that will remind me of dad.