Graciana woke after a restless night, her mind still haunted by the dream that had jolted her awake hours before. She had lain sleepless almost until dawn before finally drifting off again, and the cold sensation from that dream still lingered in her hands, as though a stranger's touch had not yet faded. She rubbed them gently, trying to banish the trace it left behind. Morning sunlight poured through the window, and the lilies of the valley continued to release their gentle fragrance, yet deep inside her stirred a strange, nameless unease. She pushed it down, unwilling to let her mother notice, and forced herself to smile as she would on any ordinary morning.
Her mother was preparing breakfast, wearing a cream linen blouse, her hair neatly tied, sleeves rolled up, her serene face showing gentle care. Graciana wore a pale blue summer dress, her hair tied into a ponytail, fluffy and neat at the nape of her neck with a green scrunchie. The scent of toasted bread and cheese filled the kitchen as mother and daughter ate while chatting.
"Did you sleep well last night, Gracia?" Elisabeth asked, concern in her eyes.
"Yes, Mom… I slept fine," Graciana replied, offering a gentle smile.
The doorbell rang. A girl with shoulder-length blonde hair and bright blue eyes, wearing a white T-shirt, denim shorts, and pink sneakers, appeared at the door, followed by a young woman with a gentle demeanor.
"Hi, Elisabeth! Hi, Gracia! My daughter Lucia came to invite Gracia for a bike ride as planned!"
Elisabeth smiled at Lucia's mother, a kind-faced woman with brown hair wearing a striped black dress. They greeted each other with a light hug.
"Hello, thank you for bringing Lucia."
"No problem, my daughter was so excited—she's been restless since last night."
Graciana was startled; she had forgotten their previous arrangement. Though hesitant, she couldn't refuse for fear of disappointing her friend. Moreover, it was the first day of summer vacation, and she didn't want to break a promise. Pushing aside the lingering unease, she cheerfully got ready to go with Lucia.
Elisabeth drove the two girls near the edge of the Black Forest. Along the way, the scenery was peaceful: small wooden houses with blue shutters, barley fields curving along the hills, and flocks of birds flying overhead. A gentle breeze blew through the car window, making their hair flutter with each gust. Elisabeth parked, then led the girls to a bike rental service near the forest's edge. Each girl eagerly received a brand-new bike, gleaming in the sunlight, hands gripping the handlebars firmly.
It was a beautiful morning — warm sunlight poured down, and a light, fresh breeze carried the damp, earthy scent of the forest. The gravel path wound through open scenery, where waves of green grass swayed and a scattering of wildflowers leaned as if to greet passersby. The air was lively with groups of cyclists — some riding side by side in quiet conversation, others speeding past with determined expressions — and for a while, Graciana forgot all about last night's dream.
She and Lucia pedaled side by side, the steady hum of their chains blending with the chirping of birds. Their cheerful chatter was often broken by bursts of laughter. Now and then, a brightly colored butterfly fluttered between them, drawing an exclamation of delight from Graciana.
"Look, Lucia! What a beautiful butterfly — I've never seen one like it before!"
"It's wonderful!" Lucia replied with a joyful laugh.
Behind them, Elisabeth kept a measured distance, her gaze never leaving the two girls. From time to time, she called out gentle reminders — "Keep to the right!" or "Watch out for the gravel!" — her voice warm and full of care.
The path began to narrow as they approached a shaded stretch where the forest pressed closer. Sunlight flickered through the leaves, scattering playful patterns across the ground. The air grew cooler here, scented with pine needles and the faint sweetness of summer blooms.
Suddenly, Lucia turned to Graciana, her blue eyes glinting with playful mischief.
"Race you to the bend ahead!" she called, and before finishing the sentence, leaned forward and pushed hard on the pedals.
Her bicycle shot ahead, the tires crunching over gravel. A sudden gust lifted her golden hair as she glanced back with a teasing grin. Graciana's heart gave a small leap — not from fear, but from excitement — and she lowered herself over the handlebars, ready to give chase.
But then, a cold shiver ran down her spine, seeping into her heart, sharp and sudden. Graciana stopped, clutching her chest, eyes squeezed shut, forehead creased. Elisabeth rushed over: "Gracia! What's wrong?" The girl tried to speak but only breathed weakly. Unaware, Lucia rode ahead, her laughter fading into the distance.
Graciana lifted her head, squinting against the glaring summer light—and froze in horror. A colossal, pitch-black creature stood motionless at the forest edge. Its body was covered in fur and foliage, with two long, thin, horn-like branches. Overwhelming fear made her want to scream, but her throat felt blocked. Elisabeth called her name in panic, shaking her hard.
Her body went limp, collapsing unconscious. In the hazy memories of losing consciousness, she only heard her mother's terrified screams mingled with a deep, echoing, mysterious laugh—both familiar and alien.
"Gracia… my child…"
She heard her mother's gentle, worried voice in a dreamlike haze, pulling her back to reality. She opened her eyes to the pale white light of a hospital room. Blinking several times to focus, she recognized two familiar faces anxiously watching her: her mother and Lucia.
"Are you alright, Gracia?" her mother's voice trembled as she placed a light hand on her shoulder, eyes shining with love.
A doctor in a white coat stood nearby, smiling reassuringly:
"We've checked everything. No abnormalities detected. It was likely just a fainting spell from overexertion. Everything is fine."
Despite the doctor's calm words, Elisabeth remained worried. Graciana smiled, squeezing her mother's hand, trying to reassure her:
"I'm fine, Mom. Don't worry."
Her gentle gaze and soft smile brought some relief to her mother.
At that moment, Elisabeth's phone rang. She asked Lucia to watch over Graciana and stepped outside, leaving the girls in the quiet hospital room. Lucia approached, taking Graciana's hand, her soft blue eyes and gentle smile comforting, yet she said nothing.
Graciana intended to tell Lucia about the giant black demon at the forest edge, but suddenly… Lucia's face changed rapidly. Her skin turned gray and wrinkled, her hair grew long and white at an alarming speed. Her face transformed into that of an old woman, just like in last night's dream.
Her eyes widened as she clutched Graciana's hand. The icy stiffness sent a shiver down Graciana's spine, filling her with terror.
"No!"
She jolted awake, drenched in sweat, looking around to find her own room. The little cuckoo in the wall clock sang its regular tune—6 a.m., still dark and chilly outside.
Rapid footsteps echoed in the hallway, followed by a furious knocking at the door.
"Gracia, what's wrong, Gracia?"
Before she could answer, the door burst open. Elisabeth rushed in like a gust of wind, hugging her daughter tightly, eyes full of love and worry.
"It's okay, my dear, are you alright?"
She held Graciana close, kissing her hair gently:
"Mom… I… I had a nightmare."
"Don't worry… don't worry, I'm here, it's okay."
Graciana's mind was completely blank. Space and time seemed to warp. The clock, the hospital light, the icy touch of Lucia's hand, and her mother's warmth all intertwined, leaving her utterly bewildered. She gripped her mother's hand tightly, ensuring she had truly escaped the nightmare.