The chilling scene unfolded before Adam's eyes like a nightmare he could neither escape nor control.

He was still trapped in the future vision, unable to move, unable to act. His breathing was shallow, and his heartbeat thundered in his ears as Eric charged forward, fury radiating from every step.

The dark-cloaked man, his figure towering and ominous, stood still, his sword gleaming coldly in the moonlight. His eyes seemed to glint with cruel amusement as Eric sprinted toward him. "Eric, stop!" Adam screamed internally, his desperation mounting.

But no sound left his lips. His body remained frozen, a helpless observer to the horrifying events.Eric swung his weapon, aiming to strike the man down. But the cloaked figure moved with lightning speed, sidestepping Eric's attack effortlessly.

With a single, brutal motion, the man swung his sword in retaliation. Aeam's heart stopped.The blade cut through Eric's body with terrifying precision, slicing him cleanly in two.

Blood sprayed across the ground as Eric's lifeless form collapsed, his torso and legs falling in separate directions.

"Eric!"

The anguished scream tore through the night, coming from Ricky, Adam's father.Ricky's eyes widened in horror as he saw his son's body crumple to the ground. The raw pain in his voice sent shivers down Adam's spine.

"No!" Adam shouted in his mind, his frustration and grief mounting.He struggled against the invisible chains that bound him, willing his body to move, to act. But it was futile. He could only watch.

Ricky's grief quickly turned to rage. Dropping his tools, he bolted toward the cloaked man, his eyes blazing with determination.

"Father, don't!" Adam wanted to scream, but the words remained trapped inside him.

As Ricky charged, two more cloaked figures emerged from the shadows behind the first man. Both carried bows, their movements smooth and calculated.

They nocked arrows onto their strings and pulled back, their aim precise and deadly.The arrows flew, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle. Adam's breath caught in his throat as the projectiles found their mark.

Both arrows embedded themselves deep into Ricky's chest, their impact forcing him backward.He stumbled, his eyes wide with shock, before collapsing onto the blood-soaked ground.

"Father!"

Adam's entire body trembled as he watched Ricky struggle to breathe, his chest heaving as blood poured from his wounds. A strangled cry escaped from Sophia, who stood nearby, tears streaming down her face.

"No… this can't be happening," Adam thought, his vision blurring with unshed tears. George, Sophia's older brother, broke into a desperate sprint, rushing to Ricky's side. "Stay with me!" he shouted, his voice cracking.

Adam remained frozen, his legs refusing to move. Beside him, Rachel—his mother—lay sprawled on the ground, still clutching her own wound. She reached out with trembling hands, gripping Adam's arm weakly. Her face was pale, her breathing labored.

"Adam," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "You need to go. Take Sophia and run. Leave this place. Now." Adam's heart clenched at her words. "No! I can't leave you!" he wanted to say.

Sophia knelt beside Rachel, sobbing uncontrollably. "We can save you! Don't give up! Please, don't give up!"

Rachel's trembling hand moved to clasp Sophia's. Her voice grew firmer, though the pain was evident in her eyes. "You can't save me. Take Adam and leave. Do as I say!"

Sophia hesitated, her body trembling with indecision. Before anyone could act, a sickening sound cut through the air—a blade slicing through flesh. Adam's head snapped toward the source of the noise. George's body crumpled to the ground, his head severed cleanly from his neck.

The cloaked figure who had killed him stood nearby, his bloodied sword still in hand. The eerie smile on his face sent a chill down Adam's spine. "George!" Sophia's scream was piercing, filled with anguish and fury.

She tried to rush toward her brother's fallen body, but Rachel grabbed her wrist, holding her back with surprising strength.

"You have to leave now!" Rachel yelled, her voice filled with desperation. She pushed both Adam and Sophia away, using every ounce of her remaining strength.

The force of the push jolted Adam out of his stupor.

Grabbing Sophia's hand, he began to run, his legs moving on pure instinct. Sophia stumbled beside him, her sobs choking her breath, but she didn't resist.

Behind them, Rachel staggered to her feet, turning toward the cloaked figures. Her movements were slow, her body weakened by blood loss, but her resolve was unshakable.

"Come on!" Adam shouted, his voice cracking as he pulled Sophia along.

The sounds of Rachel's screams and the men's sinister laughter echoed behind them, but Adam didn't dare look back. His mind was a blur of panic and grief, his only thought being to keep running.

As they fled, the village around them descended into chaos. Flames consumed the wooden houses, their fiery glow illuminating the night. The air was thick with smoke and the metallic stench of blood.

Bodies littered the ground—villagers who had fallen in the attack. Their lifeless forms lay scattered across the streets, their faces frozen in expressions of terror.

The cloaked figures moved among the carnage, their smiles twisted and unnatural as they surveyed their handiwork. Adam's chest tightened as he took in the devastation. "Why is this happening? What is this nightmare?"

The burning houses cast long shadows, and the cries of the dying filled the air. Adam's grip on Sophia's hand tightened as he forced his legs to keep moving, his vision swimming with tears.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Suddenly, the world around him began to shift.

The flames flickered and dimmed, the cries growing fainter. The buildings, the bodies, even Sophia—all of it began to fade, as though someone were wiping a canvas clean.

Darkness consumed everything, leaving Adam floating in an endless void. And then, just as abruptly, the sunlight returned.

Adam gasped, his eyes snapping open to find himself back in the present. The warm glow of the sun bathed the fields, and the gentle rustle of the wind filled the air.

He was sitting under the tree, his father still eating a short distance away, unaware of the horrors Adam had just witnessed.

Adam's heart raced, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he struggled to make sense of what had just happened. His hands trembled, and his body felt weak, as though he had just run a marathon.

"What… was that?" he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible. "Adam?" Ricky's concerned voice broke through his thoughts.

Adam turned to face his father, only to realize something was wrong. His vision blurred, and a sharp pain shot through his head. Warm liquid dripped from his nose, and he touched it instinctively.

"Adam!" Ricky's voice was filled with panic as he rushed toward his son.

Adam's surroundings spun, the colors blending together as his strength left him. His body slumped backward, his head hitting the tree trunk with a dull thud.

"Adam, stay with me!" Ricky shouted, shaking his son gently. But Adam's eyes fluttered shut, and the world faded to black.

Ricky caught Adam before he fell to the ground completely, cradling him in his arms. Panic and fear filled his eyes as he called out again. "Adam! Wake up! Please, wake up!"

But Adam didn't respond. Blood trickled from his nose, staining his father's hands as Ricky lifted him and began running toward the village, his voice breaking as he yelled for help.

And with that, the scene came to a close, leaving Ricky's desperate cries echoing in the sunlit fields. The night had settled over the village, casting a blanket of silence that was broken only by the rustling leaves and the occasional chirp of crickets.

Outside Adam's house, Ricky stood under the faint moonlight. His broad frame, draped in simple but sturdy clothing, cast a shadow against the wooden fence.

His dark hair ruffled slightly in the breeze, but his eyes were fixed on the two figures standing before him.

The man standing opposite Ricky was tall and muscular, his blonde hair shining even in the dim light. His rugged face bore numerous scars—silent testaments to the countless battles he had endured.

This was Sam, father to Sophia and George, and an experienced hunter. Beside him stood Komal, his wife, whose fiery orange hair seemed to glow in the dark.

Her sharp eyes carried a mix of concern and determination.Sam was the first to speak, his deep voice cutting through the quiet. "Is your boy alright?"

Ricky hesitated, a hint of worry clouding his expression. "I don't know," he admitted. "He suddenly fainted this afternoon. He's resting now."Sam nodded solemnly, sensing Ricky's unease but refraining from prying further. Meanwhile, the scene shifted indoors, revealing Adam's room.

Inside the modest wooden house, Adam lay motionless on his bed. His face was pale, his breathing steady but shallow.

Beside him sat Rachel, his mother, her hand resting lightly on his arm as though her touch alone could shield him from harm.

She wore a forced smile, her eyes betraying the fear she refused to show.

Nearby, Adam's siblings, Yami and Eric, hovered anxiously. Yami, ever the optimist, tried to lighten the mood. "Mom, don't worry. Adam will be fine," she said softly, her voice filled with conviction.

Rachel turned to her daughter, her lips curving into a faint smile. "I know, dear," she replied, though the tightness in her voice was hard to miss.

In the corner of the room stood Sophia, her arms crossed and her face clouded with worry. She had been unusually quiet since Adam's fainting spell, replaying the events of the day in her mind. He's been acting strange all day. What's going on with him? she wondered.

Beside her, George leaned against the wall, his expression serious as he watched over his sister and Adam. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the quiet broken only by the occasional creak of the wooden floorboards.

Outside, the conversation continued.

Komal addressed Rachel, who had stepped out to join them. "Rachel, I think you're overthinking this," Komal said gently, placing a reassuring hand on her friend's shoulder. "I may not be an expert, but I've seen cases like this before. Sometimes it just happens—nothing to worry about."

Rachel sighed, her worry easing slightly at Komal's words.

Sam, standing a few paces away, smiled faintly. "Ricky, I'm leaving Sophia and George here tonight. Komal and I will be out hunting until morning," he said, nodding toward the group of hunters waiting in the shadows beyond the gate.

Ricky returned the smile, his gratitude evident. "I'll watch over them. Stay safe out there."

With a final farewell, Sam and Komal joined their companions, disappearing into the night. Ricky and Rachel lingered for a moment, their thoughts heavy, before stepping back inside.

The stillness of the night was shattered as Adam's eyes flew open. He sat up abruptly, his breathing labored, his heart pounding in his chest.

His room was empty now, the comforting presence of his family gone. The silence was oppressive, amplifying the unsettling feeling that gripped him. Suddenly, a sharp scream pierced the night.

Adam's blood ran cold. The voice was unmistakable—it was his mother.i Without a second thought, Adam threw off the covers and bolted from his bed.

His feet carried him through the house, his movements driven by pure instinct. He burst through the front door and into the garden, the chill of the night air biting at his skin.

The village street lay before him, shrouded in darkness. The faint light of the moon illuminated a gruesome scene.

The ground was slick with blood, dark stains pooling across the cobblestones. Adam's breath hitched as he tried to comprehend the horror before him. Then, he saw her. Rachel was staggering toward him, her steps uneven, her body trembling.

Her dress was soaked with blood, and multiple arrows protruded from her back, their shafts glinting in the dim light. "Mom!" Adam cried, his voice breaking.

His legs felt like lead as he tried to move toward her, his body frozen with fear. Behind Rachel, three figures emerged from the shadows, their twisted smiles sending shivers down Adam's spine.

The first man carried a bow, casually notching another arrow as though he were hunting game. The second held a sword, its blade gleaming ominously. The third wielded a spear, its tip stained with blood. Their laughter echoed through the street, cold and cruel.

Adam's heart pounded as he struggled to move, to shout a warning to his mother. But his body refused to obey. His limbs felt paralyzed, his voice caught in his throat.

The swordsman stepped forward, his movements predatory and deliberate. With a single, fluid motion, he leaped toward Rachel, his blade slicing through the air.

"No!" Adam screamed internally, tears streaming down his face.

The sword struck, its sharp edge cutting through Rachel's neck. Her head fell to the ground, her body collapsing lifelessly beside it. Adam's world shattered. "No!" he screamed, his voice raw and desperate. The sound of his own voice jolted him awake.

---

Adam's eyes snapped open, his chest heaving as he gasped for air. Sweat drenched his body, and his heart raced as though he had just run a marathon. The familiar surroundings of his room came into focus, the nightmare fading like a cruel shadow.

"Adam!"

Sophia was at his side, her hand gripping his tightly. "It's okay. You're safe. It was just a bad dream," she said, her voice soothing but edged with worry.Rachel burst into the room, her face pale with fear. "Adam, are you alright?" she asked, rushing to his side.

Adam looked around, his gaze lingering on the concerned faces of his family and friends. He took a deep breath, the weight of the nightmare still heavy on his chest.

"It… it was just a dream," he whispered, trying to convince himself as much as them.

Rachel pulled him into a tight embrace, her relief palpable. Adam closed his eyes, leaning into her warmth, but his mind was far from calm.

It felt so real, he thought, his hands trembling.

As Rachel released him, Adam's gaze drifted toward the window.

The moon hung high in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the village. His heart skipped a beat as he noticed something—a faint shadow moving in the distance.

And with that, the chapter came to a close, leaving Adam with the unsettling realization that his nightmare might have been more than just a dream.

---

End of Chapter Seven