Through The Dreamscape

t the crazy freak," Claire's

d-step in the crowded hallway. She didn't need to look up-god, she didn't want

ine cover. That same cruel smirk played on her glossed lips, the one that haunted Scarlett's nightmares. Beside

y, her pulse pounding so hard sh

knuckles turned white. The strap dug into her palm, and she foc

wasn't that kind. Instead, she kept her head down and forced herself to move forwa

voice sliced through he

's stomac

heels clicking against the floor like a countdown

mirrored her movement, blocking her path again. It was like som

ting how her voice cracked on the last word,

false sweetness that made Scarlett's skin crawl. "Why would

o a stage whisper meant for their growing audience. "Remember how you used to b

ies, tears streaming down her face as she told everyone how Scarlett had tormented her. It didn't matter that it neve

actually believes it anymore. I mean, look at you." Her eyes raked over Scarlett's plai

" she added, her voice dripping with pit

p and grating. "Yeah, look at her

ir giggles echoing down the

lt them now-eyes. Too many of them. Watching. Judging. Whispering. Students slowed th

d to close in, the laughter growing lou

anted to fight back. She wan

at coul

was he

strap as she pushed forward, using the sha

after her, laughing.

dn't stop. She d

elled, her voice bou

lurring as tears threatened to fall. The sound followed her all the wa

r usual seat at the back of the room. The teacher

ingers gripping the edges like it cou

onto her notebook. Through the wrinkles, she could make out c

tt didn

ud enough for the entire back row to hear. "M

snickered, their laught

her hands trembling as she clenche

ound. She wouldn't give

. Let them thin

ough, she w

ll rang, Scarlett was exhausted-emotionally, physically, mentally drained. She gathere

hts racing with everything she wished she'

tter words flying back and forth in the living room. The same argument, differe

the door on the chaos. She dropped her bag and c

The insults, the cruelty, the

er room, she didn't have

ng her toward sleep. But tonight would be d

er dreams, sh

, Claire wasn'

she wasn't jus

She was unstoppable

e would make the