I dreamt of a full moon. I felt sand around me and the sound of waves calmly crashing the shore. It was quiet at first. And then that laughter came forth once more, riding the wind and into my ears harshly. Slowly getting louder. Like they're running from the sea and to land. To me. To me. To me.

“Pretty”

I woke up screaming. Cold and heavy, my whole body was wet like I dip into the sea. I frantically kick around my bed, pushing my back to the wall and pulled my blanket to cover me. The light of day is shining through my windows, it was morning. I screamed Matthew's name with the top of my lungs, and he came running.

"Rose? Rose, what happened oh my God--"

"Save me!! Make him go! Make him go!!"

"Rose what are you saying? Who??" He panicked, confused whether he should be checking around the room or held on my trembling arms. I hugged him close, eyes opened wide as I looked around. I made sure I'm at home, in my room. I held on Matthew so tight, making sure he's real and not another fragment of my dream. Because I couldn't tell. I was confused.

“Matt, please! He’s here! They’re laughing at me, they—I’m so scared, he’s close—“

Matthew held me until I stopped rambling and helped me off my bed. He carried me to his room and laid me down on the chair. I gripped his arm when he tried to leave.

"Wait here, I'll get your clothes. Don't worry, you're safe."

I kept my grip, my eyes shaking. And he sighed, kneeled down and held my hands.

"Rosie, you sleepwalked." Matthew said. I frowned, looking at him like he grew a second head.

"It happened a few times already, since..." He stopped his words "You usually only walk around your room. But... Perhaps you wandered to the bath last night and I didn’t hear you. I'm sorry I never told you, I don't want you having more worries. I never thought it could get dangerous—"

"Matthew! no.. Matthew, I saw something last night, I met—"

My tongue halted itself. I couldn't say a word. Matthew frowned at my words.

“Who? Who did you meet?”

I tried to find words but I was too scared. The moment I thought about—

“Pretty...”

I could only cry and tell him I don’t know. Matthew smiled sadly, hands reached out to cup my cold cheek.

"Sister, let's see a doctor. Your nightmares seemed to hurt you more and more. Alright?"

I sobbed.

"No.. you don't understand, it was real! I—" I broke down crumbling. And Matthew held me.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry I don't understand. But let me help with ways that I know, please give me a chance. Let’s see him alright?"

The doctor was kind. He was calm and thoughtful, I left his room believing that it was all a dream. He gave me medicines to sleep better. On our way home, Matthew ran to the other side of the street, bought candy and ran back to me with a smile. He gave me the candy and I took it quietly.

"Remember when we were kids? I always try to sneak and get you one of these." He said. It's warm. My brother's love is warm. I looked up at him and smiled, it was barely there but Matthew looked happier just like that. I finished the candy during our ride home with Magna, Matthew's beloved horse. The most beautiful black haired horse we've ever had. Dad gave it to him on his twelfth birthday. Magna never seemed to like me, and Matthew always said it's because he knew I'm his sister and Magna is jealous. When we arrived home, I patted Magna's neck as a thank you. And she looked at me calmly. I tried my luck and her jaw. And she still stayed quiet. It was a small thing. But it made me smile.

Before I entered the house, I looked in the direction of the sea. It's different. The ocean is still calm and pretty. Different from... My dream. Yes. Perhaps it was all indeed just a dream.

"I'll lock the door and the balcony. For safety, alright?" Matthew said later in the night. I looked at the keys in his hand nervously.

"It's alright." Matthew smiled "You'll be safer in your room."

I agreed. Walking around the house with chances of drowning myself in the water is nothing I’d like to experience. I drank my medicine and tried to calm myself as I lay down on my bed. I closed all the curtains and blow the candle beside my bed after I checked the whole room is empty. I sighed into the darkness.

Mother would've been by my side on nights like these when I'm scared. But now... It is no more.

"Goodnight Rose." I whispered to myself.

"You'll get your wish, dear. You'll get everything."

I slipped into slumber so quickly, I almost felt weird waking up without another nightmare. I blinked a few times before rising from my bed and opening the curtains. Sunlight graced my room and it felt warm. I looked outside and I see Matthew bathing Magna. I looked at my door and walked to it, finding it already unlocked. I smiled at the breakfast already served on the dining table. A simple sausage and baked beans. It's all Matthew could've managed. I told myself to start waking up earlier tomorrow and cook him breakfast instead. It easily became the best morning in weeks.

I sat on the table and I unknowingly clasped my hand. Like I wanted to pray. I looked down at my hand and I sighed. I closed my eyes.

"Let's be happy. Let's get better. Let's—"

"Rose.." a woman's voice whispered.

And my mind stopped. I'd recognize that voice anytime. Anywhere.

"Rose, let's pick the flowers."

Warm, sweet voice. Lulled me into my dreams and best nights. I raised from the dining chairs with weak knees. I walked towards the hallway that led to the backdoor to find it opened, creaking on the hinges. The voice came from there. I was going mad. I knew I was. But never have I thought this madness would drive me to hear her voice once more.

"Mother?" I sobbed.

Before I knew it I was running. Running at the door, heart racing against my legs. I opened the door and the flower garden greeted me. Mother's flower garden. It's dry and dead, no one took care of it since she passed. And in the middle of it... There she was.

Smiling at me. In her baby blue gown, looking ethereal as she always did. Tears ran down my face where shock is painted clearly.

"Mother... Mother, it's really you..." My knees were close to giving up. My voice failing me. The front door creaked and Matthew called upon me. But I couldn't answer. Mother waved at my trembling self. Smiling. I missed her so much.

"Mother-" I choked, walking weakly towards the rose field.

"Rose?" Matthew's calls got louder, concern clear in his voice.

I walked past the dead flowers and leaves, they crumble under my bare feet.

Matthew reached the back door, still calling for my name. And he froze upon the sight of our mother. I walked closer and closer and her smile only got more radiant. I sobbed in every shaky step. I reached out my arms.

"I've missed you... so, so much.." I cried. Just a little bit more and I'll reach her. Hold her close to my heart.

"Mother I love you so—"

A gush of wind. And the waves of laughter. The wicked laughter from that night ran along with it. Louder and louder, nothing less chilling in daylight. Dread fell upon my whole body, shaking me up to realize that it’s not a miracle nor even a beautiful dream. It is the fall of a curse. I locked eyes with mother... And her eyes changed...

From the beautiful hazel brown... Into a glowing... Glowing white.

Right before her face crumbled, cracked here and there like a vase. But it was her skin, like a sick nightmare. Like an unlikely death of people in story books. I gasped when a cracked skin fell to the ground revealing an empty room inside. Her body soon turned into dry leaves and dead rose petals blown by the wind into destruction like she's an autumn waste. And I screamed.

"You'll get your wish dear."

It was the beginning of a curse.