Horror PAFP

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It was the same old dream. It was surprising that Celeste wasn't accustomed to it by now. She could practically hear the sound of those hooked black claws tearing her family, both literally and metaphorically, apart. "No!" Her dream self tried to scream. She could only move in slow motion. She could run for help, she could run to save them. It didn't matter. They died nonetheless. She'd tried every method thinkable... Nothing worked.

Celeste's deep blue orbs snapped open as she was forced back into consciousness by her alarm clock. Gasping for breath, the blonde fumbled for the off button on her alarm, her chest still aching with fear from the intensity of the dream. It was amazing, after all these years that she still battled with these types of nightmares. Her psychologist had said they would pass after the first few months. Ha, what a thought.

Swinging her legs off the side of the bed, Celeste closed her eyelids, rubbing a finger against her throbbing temple in an attempt to calm her trembling nerves. After several minutes of the procedure, she managed to rise from her mattress and make her way towards the bathroom. She needed to start getting ready; today was a big day. She was finally moving out of this shabby little one-room apartment and into a new little house with one of her college friends. She needed to get packed. Maria would be there in an hour.

Celeste relished in the cold water splashing against her skin as she washed her face in the bathroom sink. Her face was red and sweat-dampened from her night terror, and the chilly aqua was refreshing. Once finished, the girl pulled her damp blonde hair back into a loose ponytail and set to work on getting packed.

Of course, her brain was filled with the memories. Nightmares always reopened wounds that had never really healed. Pulling on a burnt orange tank top and faded denim jeans, Celeste battled internally with her emotions and her desires to suppress them. Her psychologist had also told her that suppression was in no way beneficial. Hmm maybe that was why she was still having those bad dreams.

Luckily, the girl didn't have much to pack. She'd been living on her own for a while now, and her room was scarce of any decorations. She had a few of her favorite books, a few dozen outfits and shoes, toiletries, and some old photographs. Those pictures were the hardest part. Celeste burrowed a tooth into her lower lip to prevent the tears from welling up as she tenderly placed the snapshots of her pleasant childhood into her suitcase. She put them on top of her clothes to prevent them from getting torn or wrinkled during her travels. She put most of them in quickly, refusing to allow herself to dwell on the 2-dimensional images of her beloved family members. She lingered, however, on one particular picture of her and her mother. They looked so happy in the photo. They looked similar, with the same hair, eyes, and skin tone. Celeste missed her mother the most. She had been her best friend. Swallowing back the lump that had gathered in her throat, the young adult quickly set down the faded photograph and zipped up her suitcase. Out of sight, out of mind, right? Bleh, she wished.

Celeste smiled, offering a small wave of greeting as Maria pulled up to her shabby abode. "Ready to go?" The Latina asked, leaning out the window of her blue Honda Accord. Celeste nodded, jumping into the passenger seat. She never looked back over her shoulder as they drove away. She was leaving things behind, and she didn't ever want to go back to them.

Once reaching Maria's home, Celeste felt a pang of excitement pump through her heart. She hoped she would like it here. It was definitely a change... She hadn't lived with anyone since her family... No. She wouldn't think about that. She had other things to focus on. Hauling her luggage out of the automobile, the blonde started making her way to the front door, letting her friend lead the way. As Maria struggled to get her keys out of her pocket, Celeste took a moment to scan her new setting. Rows of cute little houses. It looked like a friendly neighborhood.

And then she spotted her. Well, more made eye contact with her. The blonde girl blinked in surprise, her bags slipping out of her hands in utter shock. The older woman who stood at the neighboring houses porch looked astonishingly similar to her mother. Of course, that was impossible... Pauline Roswell had died years ago...

Offering the woman a small, apologetic smile, Celeste bent over to pick up her things. "You good?" Maria inquired, glancing over her shoulder at her new roommate. The blonde quickly nodded, although she was unable to stop looking at the strikingly familiar neighbor. "I'm fine." She lied, giving her friend a smile.

Celeste struggled to not make eye contact with the mysterious neighbour. The way she was watching her... It sent chills up her spine. She instinctively reached out a hand to touch her friend's arm. The Latina whirled around with a yelp, dropping her keys. "My gosh, Celeste, you scared me. What is it?"

Celeste's blue orbs were focused on the older woman who was crouched, watching them. Jutting her chin towards the lady, Celeste said, "Who is that?"

Maria's dark sights followed Celeste's to where the woman was. "To be honest, I don't really know. She's a new move in, too. I think her name is Shanon or something? Why?"

Celeste gave a small shrug of her narrow shoulders. "She looks a little familiar is all."