Ivy struggle in her sleep, her voice rising in a desperate scream. "No! Don’t! I don’t want to go! I don’t want to!" 
Dark shadows slithered closer, their icy fingers reaching for her, wrapping around her limbs. “Brother! Brother! Help! Let me go!”
Suddenly, a sharp jolt pulled her from the deep of her nightmares. 
“Ouch!” she cried out, rubbing the back of her head where her brother had just struck.
“Wake up!” he barked, his voice laced with irritation. “It’s almost noon, and you’re still sleeping. Look at you! you’re drenched in sweat!”
Ivy pushed herself upright, the part of her dream still clinging to her mind. 
These nightmares weren’t new, the shadows haunted her sleep night after night. She often tried to fight them off, to stay awake, but the her eyes can't.
“Brother,” she hesitated.
“What? Just tell me!” He leaned closer, concern flickering in his eyes beneath his tough exterior.
Ivy crossed her arms, pouting like a child.
“Because for weeks now, I’ve been having nightmares! I’m scared to sleep,” she confessed.
Her brother, Ethan Hayes, leaned back against the doorframe, his tall frame casting a playful shadow. With his attractive hazel eyes glinting mischievously.
He smirked. “Well, that’s what you get! You should pray more!”
Rolling her eyes, she couldn’t help but hurl a nearby pillow at him. “You’re such a pointless person to talk to!”
Ethan laughed, “Just clean that up and eat, then wash the dishes!”
“Wash them yourself!” she shot back, a grin creeping onto her face despite her annoyance.
He walked away, still chuckling, just as she picked up another pillow, ready to unleash it.
“Ahhhhhhhhh!” he shouted, pretending to be annoyed.
Ivy arranged her room, but her mind was already drifting to the kitchen, where the food awaited.
As she sat at the table, the world outside faded, and her thoughts swirled. “Sigh, when will I hang out with Sadie, Aria, and omg, Dylan?”
Just as she began to fantasize about her friends, a whisper broke through the air. “Ivy…”
“What! You’re just jealous!” she snapped, half-expecting it to be Ethan playing tricks on her.
“Who’s jealous?” he asked, confusion lacing his tone.
Ivy spun around, only to find the space behind her empty. Her heart raced. Her brother had just come down from his room, so who had whispered her name?
“Hey, what’s happening to you?” Ethan asked, his brows furrowing in concern.
“N-nothing! Just be quiet!” she stammered, her mind racing as shadows flickered in the corners of her vision
“Do you see something I can’t?” Ethan teased, his grin widening.
Ivy, feeling the heat of annoyance creeping up her cheeks, angrily pushed her plate away and stormed off. But just as she reached the living room, her phone buzzed.
“Hello?” she answered, irritation fading as the familiar voice on the other end brought a smile to her face.
“Ivy!” Sadie exclaimed, her excitement practically bursting through the phone.
Sadie Fynn was one of her closest friends, clinging, loud, but undeniably brave.
“What is it?” Ivy asked.
“Oh my gosh! I found the perfect place for our vacation! Everyone will love it, but it might be a bit tricky for you,” Sadie laughed, her voice bubbling with energy.
“Where is it?” Ivy’s interest arouse.
“At Mystic Hidden Twilight Forest! It’s famous, and you can’t say no because my brother is coming along. I know you want him there!”
Ivy groaned, rolling her eyes even though she couldn’t suppress the smile forming on her lips. “Tsk, fine! You always do this!”
Sadie’s laughter rang out on the other end, filling Ivy with warmth.
“I’m going!” Ethan declared, his voice firm and unyielding.
“No way!” Ivy shot back, crossing her arms defiantly.
He turned to face her, his expression suddenly serious, and Ivy felt a flicker of nervousness twist in her stomach.
“W-why? Are you eavesdropping on other people's conversations?” she asked, a hint of suspicion lacing her tone.
“Because you won’t be safe there. If you don’t take me, then don’t even think about going!” he warned.
Her eyebrows knitted together in disbelief. “Do you even know anything about that place, brother?”
Silence hung in the air as he didn’t respond, instead turning his back to her, the tension thick between them.
Frustration bubbled up inside her, pushing away the anxiety she’d felt just moments before. She hated how easily he could flip her emotions.
“Fine, but you’d better not ruin this for me!” she huffed.