Face It

Sophia's life is a constant battle against self-image and unsettling dreams of a hooded figure. As her parents leave, giving her the freedom she craves, she plans a party to escape. But the dreams intensify, a tangible chill in her room suggests they're more than just nightmares. Is Sophia just struggling with typical teenage angst, or is she on the brink of a spiritual awakening, entangled in a destiny she can't escape?

Face It

Sophia's life is a constant battle against self-image and unsettling dreams of a hooded figure. As her parents leave, giving her the freedom she craves, she plans a party to escape. But the dreams intensify, a tangible chill in her room suggests they're more than just nightmares. Is Sophia just struggling with typical teenage angst, or is she on the brink of a spiritual awakening, entangled in a destiny she can't escape?

The first day of summer stretched before me, an endless expanse of freedom and possibility. But freedom felt less like liberation and more like a vast, empty space, echoing with the unsettling whispers of my dreams. That morning, I woke to the screech of my alarm, dragging myself from a fitful sleep that hadn't truly offered rest.

"How'd you sleep, sweetie?" Mom's cheerful voice cut through the silence as I trudged into the kitchen. I mumbled a noncommittal 'fine,' pouring myself a glass of orange juice, the cold liquid a temporary shock to my system, a brief distraction from the persistent image of red eyes and a drawn bow.

"Your dad and I are leaving tomorrow for California. Are you sure you don't want to go with us?" she asked, her voice laced with a mixture of hope and resignation. I shook my head, avoiding her gaze. Two weeks. Two weeks of freedom. And two weeks of babysitting Hannah. The thought alone was enough to make me groan. Little did I know, this summer would be anything but ordinary.