I felt exhausted and half asleep when I woke up early the following morning. I stared blearily into the room as I slowly sat up, feeling confused and lost. The surreal images of my dream were vividly imprinted onto my consciousness, and my heart just refused to stop pounding. I tried to go back to bed, but I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off.

I glanced around my bedroom, taking in its homey atmosphere.

Then, I rose from my bed and walked over to the window, pushing it open to let in some fresh air. The sun beamed brightly against the blue sky, and I could hear the sound of birds chirping in the air.

I inhaled deeply, feeling a sense of peace envelop me as the cold air woke me up. Perhaps it had all been a nightmare. Maybe nothing was wrong; all that I needed was some proper sleep.

I decided to shower and get dressed, hoping that the routine of my daily life would help me shake off the feeling of unease that was still at the back of my mind.

While brushing my teeth, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My eyes were puffy, and there were dark circles underneath them. I sighed, knowing that I couldn't focus on anything in this state. I needed something to wake me up.

Of course, I headed to the kitchen and fixed a cup of coffee.

The bitter aroma of the coffee filled my nostrils, and I took a long sip, relishing in the warmth and the caffeine rush. As I drank, I tried to shake off the feeling of unease that had been gnawing at me since I woke up. There was nothing really to mull over, right? It was just a bad dream. I had plenty of time before school, so I took out my sketchpad and began to draw aimlessly, letting my mind drift.

But my hand started to move on its own accord. The lines on the page began to form a pattern, taking shape into a familiar figure. I began to draw my mother in an intricate red and white kimono, her hair cascading down her back in a waterfall of dark waves. Was it just a coping mechanism? Did that dream last night mean anything? I didn't know. It was probably nothing.

As I drew, my mind filled with the fuzzy memories of her cooing over me as I doodled on a piece of paper. I remembered the way she used to smile at me and encourage me.

But the more I drew, the more I felt a sense of sadness and longing creeping up on me. I missed my mother so much, and the memories I had pushed away for so long were now starting to resurface, threatening to overwhelm me.

My hand shook as I continued sketching, the pencil lead practically carving onto the paper. I could feel my mother's presence in the room with me, like a warm embrace, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of guilt for shunting her memory to the side for so long.

I felt tears welling up in my eyes and quickly blinked them away. The image of my mother on the paper began to blur and smudge as tears filled my eyes. I wiped them away angrily, feeling a sense of helplessness wash over me. What was the point of remembering her now? It wouldn't change anything. I couldn't break down now. Not when I had to go to school.

As I sat there, lost in my thoughts, my phone rattled with an e-mail, jolting me out of my reverie. I quickly opened it, and my stomach lurched for a second as I read the contents. It was a termination notice from my internship at City Hall. They had decided to cut back on interns, and my position was eliminated.

Well, that wasn't too big of an issue. Babylon paid me more in two weeks than I'd made my entire summer at City Hall. But still, it left a bitter taste in my mouth.

I finished my coffee and headed out of my apartment, the weight of my backpack pressing heavily on my shoulders. As I walked toward the subway station, I tried to push away the memories of my dream, the woman who looked like my mother, and the termination notice. I had to focus on the present and the tasks ahead of me.

I headed down the subway and made my way to school.

While I stepped out of the train and ascended the stairs, I was hit with a wave of cold air that sent shivers down my spine. I wrapped my coat tighter around myself, trying to shield myself from the biting wind. Winter was right around the corner, and I could already feel its icy grip on the city.

But as I walked, it felt like I was being followed. I turned around to see if someone was following me, but no one was there. I shook my head and kept walking, quickly picking up my pace. I felt like something or someone was watching me with an intense gaze like my every move was being monitored from a distance.

I quickened my steps even more, hoping the feeling would pass soon enough, but the sense of unease stayed with me for the rest of the day.

I stumbled through the school's entrance, my heart racing as I tried to make sense of the thoughts coursing through my mind.

I could still recall my mother's deranged face staring back at me as she slowly transformed into a zombie. The scene played out vividly before me—the lobby filled with decaying corpses and blood dripping from the walls as I ran away. I ran as quickly as my short, stubby legs would take me. Reality blurred, and my sanity wavered as I fought to distinguish between dream and nightmare.

I furrowed my brow as I contemplated my memories.

When I really thought about it, it was unlikely that a four-year-old kid could have escaped from that feral horde. Moreover, why couldn't I remember what happened after that? I shook my head, trying to push away the thoughts, and went to my first class. The dream was probably just my subconscious mind rationalizing her death and my escape.

I walked into my English class and sat, trying to focus on the lecture. But my mind kept drifting off, and I found myself doodling aimlessly in my notebook.

I couldn't concentrate on anything, especially not my classes. My mind kept drifting back to the dream, and the more I tried to push it away, the more vivid the memories of my family became.

It was like someone had flipped a switch, and now memories were pouring out of me like a flood. Memories of my mother, my father, and my baby sister, all of them jumbled up and mixed together. I hadn't even realized how much I was holding back.

I felt a twinge of guilt as I realized how long it had been since I had seen them. I had been so busy with school and work, as well as the insanity of the Chaos Events, that I had filed them away in the back of my mind.

The bell rang, signaling the end of the class. I quickly gathered my things, feeling relieved that I could finally leave the suffocating classroom atmosphere.

I stepped out into the hallway, the noise of chatter and footsteps filling my ears as I looked down at the floor for a minute. As I walked through the school halls, I felt a presence behind me. I turned around, but there was no one there. I shrugged it off as paranoia once again.

"Ikki? Are you okay?"

I turned my head to see Midori approaching me from the side. I smiled at her, feeling a sense of gratitude. "Yeah, I'm alright," I replied, my voice cracking slightly.

She didn't look convinced. "Are you sure? You look like you've been through the ringer."

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the past few days pressing down on me. "I don't know. I've just been having these crazy dreams since the last Chaos Event, and they've been freaking me out."

Midori raised an eyebrow. "What kind of dreams?"

I hesitated for a moment before leaning in to speak quietly.

"Umn. I dreamed about getting chased down an endless hallway by some freaky monster muttering 'I love you' over and over a few days ago. Then, last night, I dreamt that my mother was fighting zombies as a magical girl with some kind of jeweled naginata and a kimono. It... it was at the time and place where I saw her die, and it's been messing with my head."

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Midori looked at me with concern, her eyes widening in surprise before flickering with understanding. "Getting chased by a monster down a hallway? A woman with a jeweled naginata? That sounds really, really intense. Have you talked to anyone about it?"

I shook my head, feeling a bit embarrassed. "No, I didn't want to talk about it. It really didn't feel like that big of a deal and it's something I have to work through alone, but last night was really rough."

She nodded. "It's okay," she said, a soft smile playing on her lips. "You can talk to me if you want. And it's not like I don't know what it's like to deal with Aberrations and strange dreams. Trust me, I've been there."

Her words comforted me, and a warmth spread through my body. I hadn't realized how much I had been bottling up until then. "Thanks," I said softly, giving her a genuine smile.

Midori put a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Anytime, Ikki. We all have our demons, and sometimes it's nice to be reminded that we're not alone. It doesn't matter what kind of trouble you find yourself in, there are people out there who will understand."

She flashed me a brilliant smile, and we stood in comfortable silence in that hallway for a few moments. Then, we both laughed and started to make our way to our following classes. As we parted ways, I couldn't help but feel uplifted by her words and the simple act of friendship. Midori's kindness reminded me that I wasn't alone and that there were people who cared about me. It was a small comfort, but it was one that I desperately needed.

But when I looked back, I saw that Midori's smile had faded. Her expression had turned into a frown, and she seemed to be staring intently ahead as she walked. Midori muttered something under her breath, and then she was gone. She'd weaved through and disappeared through the throng of students packing the hallway.

I furrowed my brow, trying to make sense of her sudden change in demeanor. I shook my head, trying to push away the strange feeling that had settled in my gut.

You're being paranoid, Ikki.

I made my way to my next class, shaking my head. I made my way to my next class and got the thoughts lingering in the back of my head out of my mind. I was thankful for the little moment of peace, and I knew that no matter what happened, Midori would be there to listen.

Soon, it was lunchtime, and I headed out to get some air. I walked out of the school building and into the crisp, cold air. The sky was a clear blue, and the sun was shining brightly. I took in a deep breath, enjoying the fresh air. I had always loved this time of year when the leaves began to change color, and the air became brisk. It was a reminder that change was inevitable, and that there was always something new to look forward to.

Just then, I heard a voice call out from behind me.

"Ikki!" she said warmly. "It's so nice to see you outside of class."

I turned around — Ms. Roth, my History teacher, stood just a few feet from me, holding some folders. She looked vibrant and lively, her brown streaked with gold in the sunshine.

I grinned awkwardly in response, glad that she remembered me. "It's erm, nice to see you too! W-what brings you outside?"

Ms. Roth smiled gently and quirked an eyebrow at me as if sensing something deeper than my words conveyed. "Oh, nothing in particular," she said airily. "I just thought I'd take a stroll and get some fresh air while I'm here." She looked up at the sky and beamed fondly before continuing: "Sometimes it's nice to pause and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us."

I couldn't help but smile at her words. She was always so firm but kind, and I admired her deeply. "Yeah, I know what you mean," I replied, looking up at the sky alongside her.

"How's everything going?" she asked, moving closer. "I noticed you seemed a little out of it in class this morning. Is everything okay?"

I hesitated momentarily, unsure how much I wanted to reveal to her. But she seemed genuinely concerned.

"I've just been having some trouble sleeping lately," I said, a little embarrassed. "It's been messing with my head."

Ms. Roth nodded, her eyes softening. "I understand," she said gently. "Sometimes our dreams can be a reflection of things we're struggling with internally. Maybe there's something that's been weighing on your mind lately that you need to address?"

I thought about it momentarily, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I spoke more freely with Ms. Roth. "Yeah, there's definitely some stuff going on. It's just hard to put it into words, you know?"

She tapped her foot for a second before beckoning me toward her. "Why don't you walk with me for a bit? Maybe talking it out will help you to organize your thoughts."

I nodded, grateful for her company. Together we walked down the path, the leaves crunching beneath our feet.

"Sometimes it helps to have someone just there, even if you're not sure what's bothering you," Ms. Roth said after a moment. "It's okay to not have all the answers."

"I know," I replied, feeling a sense of comfort in her words. "It's just hard to admit that I don't have anything figured out."

Ms. Roth chuckled softly. "Believe me, Ikki, none of us have it all figured out. Life is a journey, not a destination. It's okay to stumble along the way."

We continued to walk in comfortable silence for a few moments, the cool breeze whipping around us. As we walked, I couldn't help but feel a sense of calm wash over me. Ms. Roth's words were soothing, and for once, I felt like I could breathe.

"So, what's been on your mind?" Ms. Roth asked, looking over at me with a concerned expression.

I took a deep breath, feeling a knot form in my stomach. "It's just... everything," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Ever since the Chaos Events started happening here, I've been feeling like I'm increasingly on edge. And the dreams..." I trailed off, feeling a shiver run down my spine.

"What kind of dreams?" Ms. Roth asked softly, her eyes gentle.

I hesitated for a moment before speaking. "They're just... strange. Like I'm seeing things that aren't really there. Impossible colors and cracks in reality. And they feel so real, like I'm actually there."

Ms. Roth nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Dreams can be powerful things, Ikki. They can reveal truths about ourselves and our deepest fears. Maybe there's something in your dreams that you need to confront?"

I frowned, not sure what she meant. "What do you mean?"

"Well," she began, "sometimes when we dream about something, it's our subconscious way of telling ourselves that there's something we need to face. Maybe there's something in your waking life that's been causing you anxiety, and your dreams are just a manifestation of that."

I thought about her words momentarily, feeling a sense of unease wash over me. "But what if it's something dangerous?" I asked, suddenly feeling a knot form in my stomach.

Ms. Roth looked at me with concern. "What do you mean?"

"I don't know," I said, shaking my voice.

Ms. Roth placed a calming hand on my shoulder. "Ikki, it's important to differentiate between what's real and what's not. It's possible that your dreams are just a manifestation of your fears, but it's also possible that there's something more to it. The Chaos Events have been causing a lot of unease and uncertainty for everyone, and it's okay to feel scared. But don't let that fear take over your life. You're stronger than you think."

I nodded, feeling her words seep into my core. "Thanks, Ms. Roth. I really appreciate it."

She gave me a small smile. "Anytime, Ikki. Just know that you're not alone in this. There are people who care about and want to help."

As we walked, the wind picked up, and the leaves swirled around us. I shivered, but it wasn't entirely from the cold.

Ms. Roth looked at me with a concerned expression, and I knew I couldn't keep this bottled up any longer. "There's something else," I said, my voice barely audible over the wind.

"What is it?" she asked softly.

"It's just... I don't know how to explain it," I said, my voice shaking. ""It's like... like there's something out there trying to hurt me. And I don't know if it's real or just my imagination."It's like... I feel like I'm being watched. And it's not just in my dreams. It's like someone is following me everywhere I go."

Ms. Roth's face fell, and I suddenly knew that she understood the gravity of what I was saying. There was something in her eyes that told me she knew something.

She was a seasoned Magical Girl, after all.

I took a deep breath, bracing myself for whatever her reaction would be. "I know that it sounds crazy, but I really do feel like someone or something is after me."

Ms. Roth's expression was grave as she looked at me.

"Ikki, I need you to listen to me very carefully," she said, her voice low and urgent. "Chaos Events can historically bring about some very dangerous things. There are many Aberrations more dangerous than Chaos Beasts, and there are definitely aberrants that stalk and prey on those who are vulnerable and in poor spirits."

My heart was racing as she spoke, and I felt a sense of panic rising within me. "What do I do?" I asked, feeling a lump form in my throat as she validated my fears.

"It sounds like a catch-22, but I need you to work on your mental health and anxiety. Full stop. The more you let your fears and despair consume you, the easier it will be for these entities to take hold. I can help you with that, but you also need to take some steps on your own."

I nodded, feeling a sense of clarity wash over me. A veteran magical girl just confirmed I wasn't well... crazy. "Okay. Uh, I can do that."

Ms. Roth gave me a small smile. "That's the spirit, Ikki. And don't worry, you're not alone in this. I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe. Please, save my other number."

As she said this, Ms. Roth took a small card from her pocket and handed it to me. "If anything happens, no matter how small it may seem, do not hesitate to call me." Her voice was firm but caring.

I took the card and nodded, feeling grateful to her. "Thank you, Ms. Roth. I really appreciate all of this."

She beamed at me, "Of course. It's a teacher's responsibility to make sure their students are safe and taken care of, even if it means going beyond the call of duty."

We walked for a while longer, Ms. Roth giving me advice on general self-care and some insight into the strange events around us. She warned me to always stay vigilant, especially when I was alone, and to never take any strange occurrences lightly after Chaos Events.

As we reached the end of the path, Ms. Roth turned to me with a severe expression. "I want you to promise me something. Promise me that you'll take care of yourself and be cautious at all times. These are dangerous times we're living in."

"I promise," I said, feeling a sense of determination bubbling within me. "I'll do everything in my power to stay safe."

Ms. Roth smiled at me, her eyes softening. "Good. And remember, I'm always here if you need me. You're not alone."

With those final words, Ms. Roth turned and walked away, leaving me standing there alone. As I watched her retreating figure, I felt a sense of reassurance wash over me. I knew that I had someone to turn to if things got rough.

But even with that knowledge, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching me.

...Or something.