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</div>Celine’s face was fully flushed with a tinge of red as all the blood rushed through her head. Her nails dug into his shoulders, trying to find anything that would help her situation. Short raspy gasps followed through as her mouth was parted open, trying to find a moment to breathe. As her eyes widened in fear, tears began to pool at the corners before rolling down her temples. She didn’t hear when the intruder came inside her home. She was fast asleep and too immersed in her dream that she didn’t realize she was already in danger. Out of all the possible words to say, she had to whisper the name that was continuously haunting her dreams. There were so many unanswered questions and so much confusion. She wanted to know what was going on and more importantly, why was this all happening to her? The room started to fade, blurring in-between the darkness of her mind and the lightness of the world. Her strength was drained from her body, including her fingertips as they slowly slithered down his arms. She was losing consciousness.<br/>
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After the first time she spoke his name out loud, she felt his vice grip ease up a bit, but she was too lightheaded to fully comprehend what was happening. Slowly blinking her eyes, she tried to focus her vision on her drawer near the window. Then, his hands reassured her that she was going to die, and he would make sure of it. The pressure claimed her neck once more as she heard him cursing at her, wanting her to stop talking or saying that name. However, when the name rolled off her lips once more, her chin tilted forward as she started dry coughing. His hold completely released her as she desperately clung to the oxygen as it reflowed into her lungs. She sucked in the air strongly, her lungs gulping down the much-needed lifeline and pulled her out of her daze. Seeing her attacker clasping his head as though it was going to explode, she took the chance to reach over the bed and pull herself off. One hand was brought to her neck as she gently touched her skin; the heated mark he left encouraged her to keep going. Crawling on all fours, she scuffled to her drawer as quick as possible.<br/>
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There was something at the back of her mind telling her what to do, how to survive. Fumbling through her things, she tried her best to tug at the drawers and pulling them open. A few had dropped on the floor with her clothes scattered all over. When she was younger, her grandmother would always wear an amulet around her neck for protection. She would always say there were dark spirits lurking in every corner and to never underestimate them when it came to the supernatural. During that time, she didn’t believe in ghosts or spirits—even now, she was skeptical when it came to the magical shop. It took her a great deal of convincing to purchase the Sandman box and put it to use. Her grandmother had passed away a few years ago and she was given the amulet as it had been passed down through every generation in their family. Regardless of if she believed in magic or not, Celine tucked it away somewhere safe because it belonged to her grandmother; her second mother that helped raised her and her brother. With a jolt of fear riddling through her body once more, the roaring anger erupted from the man’s mouth and shook her to her core.<br/>
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Scrambling to get her amulet, she tried to scream, <b>“No!”</b> but her vocal cords were too damaged to reset itself in their healthy state. A raspy whisper came through, almost as though she was about to lose her voice. Rifling through her clothes, she immediately pulled the chain from the zip lock bag and held it out in front of her, squeezing her eyes shut as her back was pinned against the corner of her dresser and window. <i>‘Please, please, please!’</i> A sliver of hope pushed through the amulet, a golden amber glowed, brightly shining, illuminating the entire room as it casted darkness back into his box. The heaviness in the air faded as tension started to disperse. Once the Sandman was put back in his place, the light dimmed, and everything went back to normal. Celine stayed seated against the corner as she listened carefully; silence crept in, and she was almost afraid to open her eyes to look. Seizing her courage, she slowly opened her eyes, and the man was gone. A sigh of relief reached her ears as she was able to collect as much air as possible; slowly lowering her hand as she clasped the amulet close, she grazed her fingers delicately around her neck, feeling lucky to have survived such an attack.<br/>
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It wasn’t done, however. <span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(163, 143, 132)">‘Celine, the box—you <i>must</i> lock it. Quickly!’</span> Abruptly glancing at the box, something urged inside her to focus on the box on her nightstand. Grasping at her furniture for support, she rose to her feet until she staggered over to reach for the key; locking the box with a satisfying click before stepping backwards until she stumbled against her dining room chair. The collision made her muscles tense as she jumped from the sudden touch; still cautious of the situation, her thoughts flew in different directions. <b>“What… just happened?”</b> Cradling her forehead with her amulet still in her grasp, she stumbled backwards until she fell into the next chair over; sitting on it suddenly as it took her a few moments to compose herself. <b>“Was that—was I dreaming?”</b> Staring at the box, she continued to wonder and work through her confusion. Placing the necklace and key on the table, she cautiously walked toward the vanity mirror to check the marks on her neck. With widened eyes, she grasped at her neck and stretched it out to get a good look.<br/>
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A handprint, fingers laced around her neck; her skin irritated, creating a collared bruise as she gasped in shock. <b>“It… It—that—was real!?”</b> Still in utter shock, she drew her attention back on the box as fear started to creep up under her skin once more. What was she dealing with?<br/>
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<hr class="bbc-hr"/><i>for</i> <a class="username" data-user-id="2570" data-username="Nocturne" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" href="https://blackdahliaroleplaying.com/members/2570/">Nocturne</a> </div>