The mall again.

I was relieved it wasn’t the trailer park, but still. I was sick of ending up in the same place, unable to actually buy anything. I’d spotted some cute things before, but that was beside the point.

I knew Ethan wasn’t far. I glanced over to the ice cream shop, and there he was, like every other time I found myself in this dream. He looked up from his milkshake, swiped his long black hair behind his ears, and flashed me those pearly whites.

I couldn’t tell anyone about my crush on this dream boyfriend of mine, but damn, he was cute. My mind had cooked up someone I was madly attracted to, and it was the one part of my nightmares I actually liked. Ethan had gotten me through these last few years without Jax. No matter how terrible the night’s visions were, I’d get to see Ethan again.

I got to spend some time with him, and that made me feel giddy inside. I decided long ago to enjoy the moments with him before I was murdered again.

“Babe.” He gave me a soft peck on the lips, and I sat down next to him. My dream muffin was already set in front of me, even if I couldn’t actually eat it. Still, I appreciated the gesture.

I glanced at the other people in the dream, but, as always, they were unrecognizable.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“Still nothing’s changed?” he asked me.

I nodded.

He took my hand. “Come here…”

He pulled me onto his lap, holding me close and kissing my temple. “I told you I’ll find a way.”

“If you weren’t such a fantastic figment of my imagination, I’d almost believe you.”

He chuckled. “For the millionth time, Jules, I’m real.”

“Sure you are.” I kissed him back, still finding it odd he called me Jules instead of my actual name. I’d corrected him a dozen times, but my dream boyfriend never got the memo. He tasted like mint and chocolate, like every other time, no matter where we were.

He gently tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, then kissed my nose. “I wish I could hold you.”

I slid higher into his lap, wrapping my arms around him.

He sighed, wincing. “That’s not what I meant—”

Like he was in pain. He did this every time, and I still didn’t understand it.

“Then what did you mean?” I teased, twirling my straw, sneaking glances at him from under my lashes.

He smiled softly, tucking another stray hair behind my ear.

“One day… when—”

The coldness seeped in, signaling the final act. Every damn time Ethan got close to explaining anything about our dream situation, he would come. It was like some eerie bell toll, signaling my stalker’s arrival.

In this dream—the Mall Dream—I always ended up running. Running from my murderer. I’d tried every single store, every single hiding spot, but he always found me, gutting me from my stomach to my neck. I could still feel the pain as I woke up. Every damn time.

Ethan would run with me, always trying to help. But he never succeeded. The Dark Stalker always found me, no matter what I tried.

The Mall was my favorite nightmare.

Even though it always ended in pain, it hurt less than the others.