I had been lying on the bed for hours, eyes closed, but sleep never came. No matter how hard I tried, my mind was full of that mysterious girl and the dreams she saw every night. Her image, her smile, even that strange warmth in her gaze… everything pulled me toward her like a magnet.
I squeezed my eyes shut, but it was useless. My mind refused to calm down. Every time I closed my eyes, her face became clearer. I didn't know why it felt so real… but I knew I needed to do something, even if it was just to breathe for a few moments.
I took a deep breath and got up. I got dressed and left the hotel. It was four‑thirty in the morning, an hour before sunrise. A dark fog covered everything, and the pale moonlight barely lit the path. I didn't take the car… I just walked.
I didn't know where I was going, but I remembered Uncle Vlad's words: "Whenever your mind is troubled, walk. It doesn't matter where it takes you—your thoughts will loosen."
So I walked. Aimlessly. I inhaled the scent of the forest, and even the faint traces of werewolves and vampires around me… a reminder that I wasn't alone. I was Vlad's heir—heir to the Romanian vampire bloodline, the most flawless ones, almost indistinguishable from humans.
I sighed.
"I shouldn't have left Vlad alone… he must be upset that I left Romania without telling him."
The sound of a river slowly grew closer, mixed with the wind shaking the leaves. I knew I was near. Without really thinking, I stepped into the forest. Branches cracked under my feet, and the smell of damp soil rose around me.
After a while, I reached the river. My breath caught in my throat. What I saw was unbelievable.
Everything looked exactly like my dreams. The calm water, the moonlight shimmering like silver on its surface, the stones, the trees—every detail, even the sound of the wind and the water, was exactly like what I saw every night. My mind couldn't grasp it.
"This… this is the place from my dream… That's impossible!"
I stood by the water, looking around. The leaves, the reflections, the current, even the scent of wet earth—everything matched my dreams perfectly. But this place was real. No dream could be that precise. My heart pounded, my breath uneven.
"How is my dream… real? My dreams are supposed to reflect the past or the future… so why am I here?"
I sat down and leaned against a tree. Closed my eyes. I just wanted a little peace, even for a few minutes. My body still buzzed with restless energy, but I tried to relax. The river, the wind, and my own breathing were the only sounds around me. For a short moment, everything felt right… even if it wouldn't last long.
My eyelids slowly grew heavy, and for the first time in hours, my mind began to quiet…
My eyes opened, and suddenly everything returned to me.
My eight‑year‑old self… sitting behind a door, hugging my knees and sobbing. It was the year 1024… the night of my eighth birthday. My chest tightened, and I struggled to breathe.
I remembered… Baladi had told me my father kept my mother's body in his room… and all I wanted was to see her.
Still crying, I left the room.
"I want to see my mom!"
Anger flooded through me. I clenched my tiny fists.
Why… why was this memory resurfacing now after so many years?
My younger self, small and shaking, stepped into the hallway. His steps were weak, but his will was strong. He reached the last door and slowly opened it. The creaking sound hit me like an arrow to the heart. He stepped inside…
And there she was… my mother.
"That's… that's my mom…"
My breath froze. I rushed forward and moved the curtain—
—and suddenly a harsh kick slammed into my side, knocking me back.
I screamed, "Ah!"
I looked up.
A man with glowing red eyes stood over me. My pulse hammered in my ears.
"Dad…" My voice trembled.
"How dare you come here—curse you!"
His fists crashed down on my face. Warm blood dripped from my nose and mouth. His blows were fueled by rage and grief.
"You killed her! You destroyed my life!"
My tears mixed with the blood on my face. My small body couldn't escape his grip.
"I… I'm sorry…"
But he didn't stop. His fury only grew heavier.
Then suddenly, Vlad stormed into the room like a force of nature.
"What have you done?!"
He struck my father again and again, each blow filled with fury and justice.
My legs were still shaking, but I crawled toward the bed. I pulled the curtain aside…
And I saw something no child should ever see—my mother's lifeless body, damaged and worn by time. My heart shattered.
"Mom… did I… did I do this?"
I couldn't feel my legs anymore. Vlad lifted me into his arms and carried me out of the room. My tears soaked into his strong, warm shoulder.
"It's my fault… Uncle…"
His steady, calm voice filled my ear:
"You are the most innocent one in this story, Mikael. You did nothing wrong."
The memory continued—
but then, out of the darkness, a soft voice broke through:
"Wake up."
Everything cracked apart like shattered glass…
I opened my eyes. Sunlight hit my face, and I winced for a moment. But when I looked again, my whole body froze.
A bright, familiar face was standing right in front of me.
She… she was the girl from my dream.
I stared at her, stunned, unsure if I was awake or still dreaming.
"Who… are you?"
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Hi everyone… I hope you enjoy the story! So, can you guess who this mysterious girl is?