Thoughts Killer

Chapter 1
She was bolting down the hallway that seemed to pan to an eternity. Her breath staggered and heavy, struggling as they tried to keep up with the swift motions of her moving limbs. Her eyes darted back and forth the unlit path beyond her and over her shoulder as she peered to get a glimpse of what exactly was chasing her. What was following her, she realised, was only darkness. It was only darkness, but it was this darkness that set her running and running. It was nothing but pitch black and yet it only served to illuminate her fear. It was this fear of being consumed by the darkness. If darkness could hide all the harrowing shadows and shelter the fiendish trails, what else could it not consume? If she were to stop right now... No, she could not afford to. Not again.

Lara awoke with a silent gasp. Her breath was held as she remained wide-eyed like a deer in headlights. Her eyes darted across her surroundings before she finally exhaled her fear and absorbed in the familiarity around her. Teddo, her favourite and only toy that she has ever owned or possessed, still clutched tightly in her grasp. Her blanket, or rather, an unwanted old bath towel, was strewn halfway across the edge of her mattress. The room was small, with practically no walking space between her old squeaky mattress that laid bare on the floor, her study table cum desk at the side and a closet for everything that she had. It was small and a nightmare for those of claustrophobia but to her, it was enough. It was enough for her to feel safe, to call it home. To whatever it was just now, it was just a dream, or a nightmare at best. She was far away and safe here in her own secret garden. No darkness can reach to her here.