Maria walked down the hallway of the house towards Eve's room. She knocked on the door, calling out, "Eve... Eve, are you awake? Eve... wake up... come on."

*******

Eve woke up, looked around, then realized her mother had awakened her. She got out of bed and headed to the door to open it, responding to her mother, "I'm awake... good morning."

"Good morning, Eve... tell me, are you feeling okay? Does your head still hurt?"

"Don't worry, I'm fine," Eve reassured her mother.

Maria smiled at Eve and entered the room. She went to the closet on the right, opened it, and took out a black skirt, a white shirt, and some other clothes, saying, "Wear these after you shower."

"Um... okay," Eve replied, sounding puzzled.

*******

Eve sat down at the table and started eating fried eggs and bacon.

"Delicious... hmm, so good," Eve exclaimed happily.

"I'm glad you like it," her mother said, sitting down to drink her coffee.

Eve started to look at her parents as if they were hiding something from her. Her father put down his coffee cup calmly and asked Eve, "What did you see while you were asleep?"

Eve tensed up upon hearing this question and didn't respond.

"Don't worry, this won't bother us," her father reassured.

Eve began to recall what had happened in her dream—suffering, fear, and chills. She remembered those strange monsters chasing her, her bizarre clothes, and those distorted images, as well as the monster that had helped her. Eve felt a slight headache and placed her hand on her forehead, saying, "I don't remember much... sorry."

"I understand... and I understand your reluctance to tell us. Take your medicine," her father said calmly.

Eve went to fetch her medicine from the kitchen and returned. She sat down and took her medicine.

"Eve, we're taking you to see a psychiatrist," her mother said anxiously.

"There's no need... it's just nightmares," Eve replied.

"We've decided, and that's final... also, don't oppose this decision," her father said sternly.

Eve nodded to indicate her agreement. Then she thought to herself sarcastically, "You're more frightening than those monsters."

*******

Eve left the house with her parents, then stopped and turned to look at the house.

"Is this what the house looks like? It's like I forgot its appearance," she said, bewildered.

Maria called out, "Eve... hurry up."

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Eve turned to her parents, hurried to the taxi, and got in. After closing the door, Bill told the taxi driver, "Take us to the hospital."

"Alright," the taxi driver replied.

********

"Thank you for the ride... Here you go, this is the fare," the father said calmly and happily.

"You're welcome," replied the taxi driver. Then he noticed Eve talking with her mother and asked Bill, "Is that your daughter... right?"

"Yes... yes," Bill confirmed.

"Kids these days are very quiet. Interestingly, I've taken three families to the hospital today as well," remarked the driver.

"You're right," Bill responded.

"Maybe all the excitement is wearing them out these days," the taxi driver added jokingly.

"Perhaps," Bill agreed silently to himself, 'Eve isn't like these other kids, she stays in her room reading books.'

"Anyway, I wish them well... I've kept you waiting too long... I hope your daughter feels better soon," the driver said.

The taxi driver started the car. Bill turned to Maria and Eve, saying, "Let's go inside... and Eve, please remain calm."

"Okay," Eve replied, then thought to herself with confusion and seriousness, 'Even though I was the one calm in the car.'

The parents and Eve entered the hospital and headed to the reception desk, where the attendant greeted them, "Good morning, sir and madam, how can I assist you?"

"Well... um... my daughter has been experiencing severe headaches lately... and she's also been having nightmares," Bill responded.

Suddenly, the attendant's expression changed. He said, "Ah... you're looking for a psychiatrist, correct?"

"Yes, but... how did you know?" Bill asked, surprised.

"We've had three other families come in with the same issue... unfortunately, our psychiatrists are overwhelmed, and there's no available space for your daughter," the attendant explained.

"What?" Bill responded, bewildered and shocked.

Maria felt disappointed and said, "Then... perhaps it's better if we go back."

"But..." Bill interrupted Eve's words sadly, "I'm sorry, Eve."

"Okay," Eve replied dejectedly.

"Wait a moment, please," said the receptionist, then added, "Since when has she been having these nightmares?"

"About a week," her mother replied.

The attendant glanced at Eve and asked, "What is it that you're afraid of, little one?"

"I'm not sure... but I don't like dark hallways... or... I feel like someone is watching... or something like that," Eve hesitantly replied.

"I see... there's a doctor who recently joined us, trained under a renowned psychiatrist specializing in treating patients with nightmares... if you have no objections, we can reserve a room for her and add her to the doctor's patient list," the attendant suggested.

"We would be grateful for that... and no, we have no objections," Bill replied.

"Yes, our daughter's well-being is paramount," Maria added.

The attendant entered Eve's information into the system and scheduled an appointment for Bill, saying, "Tomorrow at 9 AM, your daughter will be admitted to her room... or... yes... registered with her information."

"Right... yes... thank you," Bill responded with relief.

"Let's go, dear," Maria said to Eve.

*******

The receptionist asked his colleague, "Why did you recommend that doctor? He's a pupil of that psychiatrist... not to forget, that person has a bad reputation... so why list her with his pupil?"

The receptionist replied seriously, "It's our policy, my friend, not to discuss such matters outside the hospital... besides, the girl's condition is unstable... that doctor is skilled with such unique cases, and moreover... what the parents wrote in her record was unusual... and also... I couldn't answer one of the questions."

*******

The parents and Eve got back into the car to return home. Maria looked at Eve, who seemed upset, and said, "Don't worry, my dear, the examination won't be painful."

"Mom, did something bad happen to Uncle?" Eve asked.

"If you heard me... oh... in truth," Maria hesitated.

"Tell me... will I be okay? Please," Eve asked, tears welling up in her eyes.

Maria smiled, stroked Eve's head, and said reassuringly, "Don't worry, I'm sure your condition... isn't as difficult as you imagine."

The scene brought tears to Bill's eyes.

*******

The receptionist handed the psychiatrist's schedule to the doctor, saying, "Here you go, sir."

The doctor took the schedule, adjusted his glasses, and said, "Hmm... what do we have here for tomorrow? Name: Eve Addis, age: ten years old. Condition: headaches with nightmares. Good."

The doctor placed his hand on the receptionist's shoulder and said, "You've made an effort in selecting the right child."

The receptionist scratched his head, saying, "It was tough finding someone with this condition."

"Well then, Eve, let's see your peculiar case tomorrow... I'm excited," the doctor concluded.

*******

Eve felt a strange feeling towards the receptionist, as if he were hiding something important from them.

"I'm sure he's hiding something," Eve said with intense confusion and curiosity.

"Eve... hmm, you seem distracted," Maria said.

"Oh... I'm sorry, what do you want?" Eve replied.

"When we get back... I'll bring you pie, and also... don't worry about tomorrow, I'm sure there's a solution for this," Maria said softly.

Eve smiled, then turned to look out the car window, thinking to herself, 'I know you're trying to comfort me... but you won't understand... what I feel... inside... at all.'

Eve continued to ponder deeply, trying to remember that strange person who had saved her from those monsters.

"I'm really starting to fear... myself... and my imagination," Eve thought.