Nightmare

Cassy was dreaming. She knew it was a dream but she couldn't escape the claws that slashed at her chest over and over again. She couldn't run from the woman clawing her child out of her womb.

She begged, pleaded, for someone, anyone to wake her from the nightmare, but no one came. She was dying again, like she did every night.

The vile woman was killing her again and no one came for her.

Pain exploded in her chest as the claws dug further in, diving past her ribcage, and further until they circled around her beating heart.

And when she looked up, she saw her own face, peering down at her. Cold and merciless.

"Do not forget," Her cold counterpart seemed to say.

Right before she yanked her heart out of her chest.

********

Cassy lurched out of her bed and ran for the bathroom, emptying the contents of her stomach into the chamberpot.

Tears ran down her cheeks as she vomited over and over again until all she could do was gag.

She'd