SAMANTHA
I woke up gasping for air and my hand immediately flew to my throat. The nightmare had been so vivid and so real and I could still feel the phantom pressure of Molly's fingers wrapped around my neck. I had dreamed of her face twisted with rage and her eyes burning with hatred and her voice hissing threats into my ear. I had dreamed of the sisters laughing in the background and the sound of their cruelty echoing through the darkness. I had dreamed of being sent away into the wilderness with nothing and no one and no hope of survival.
I sat up in bed and I pressed my palm against my chest and I tried to slow my racing heart. My breathing was shallow and quick and my skin was slick with sweat. The room was quiet except for the sound of my ragged breaths and the distant chirping of birds outside the window.
