“Having recurring nightmares…? You can look it up online. They say some people can control their dreams at will and turn nightmares into good dreams. Sounds pretty amazing.” Grace Sullivan thought for a moment and reminded him.

“Really?” William Clark had also looked it up, searching for information online. But he couldn’t tell what was true.

“It’s true. I used to have nightmares too, but with dreams, you absolutely can’t read scary stories before bed. You can’t have any worries or fears in your mind. Otherwise, you’re guaranteed to have nightmares!” Grace Sullivan said with a serious face.

“Really?” William Clark nodded.

He had come across this idea before, but hadn’t confirmed it.

“Don’t doubt me. I used to have nightmares all the time, but after I found this method, I never had them again. The saying ‘what you think about during the day, you dream about at night’—that’s exactly it.” Grace Sullivan said earnestly.

“Really?” William Clark’s eyes flickered, and he fell silent.

“You look totally out of it. How about I take you to the gymnastics club later for a walk?” Grace Sullivan’s serious demeanor lasted only a few seconds before he reverted to his usual sleazy self.

“I’d rather not…”

“Tsk tsk tsk, not even gym uniforms and beautiful legs in white stockings can interest you now?” Grace Sullivan sighed dramatically.

“…I just want to get a good night’s sleep right now.” William Clark said helplessly.

After school in the afternoon, when he got home, he was surprised to find both his parents had come back early.

His mom, Julia Parker, was cooking in the kitchen. His dad, Edward Clark, was sitting in the living room reading the newspaper.

His sister, Alice Clark, wasn’t there—she had already gone back to university for classes.

When William Clark came home, his dad, Edward Clark, put down the newspaper and looked at his face with some concern.

“Why do you look so pale lately? Are you sick? Don’t try to tough it out, kid. Some illnesses can’t just be endured.”

“I’m fine, Dad.” William Clark replied as he changed into slippers. “I just haven’t been sleeping well these days.”

“As long as you’re okay… you…” His dad didn’t finish his sentence, because he saw William Clark drop his backpack and quickly head to his bedroom.

A moment later, there was a loud bang as the bedroom door slammed shut. Everything returned to silence.

“This kid…” Edward Clark glanced in surprise at his wife, who had come out at the sound, and both of them showed a trace of worry on their faces.

“Dad’s side isn’t better yet. I hope nothing happens with the kids too.” Julia Parker said anxiously.

“I’ll keep an eye on him. You don’t worry about it—just get back to cooking!” Edward Clark waved his hand.

Chapter 5

Night.

Moonlight like gauze.

William Clark was still lying in bed.

His whole body was stiff, unable to move. The tendons in his hands and feet felt frozen, hard as steel.

The only things he could barely move were his fingers and his head. This was the result of his efforts over the past few days.

Pa, pa, pa.

The footsteps came again.

William Clark’s face was calm, trying to empty his mind.

After so many nightmares, he knew he couldn’t go on like this.

Two weeks of severe sleep deprivation had left his daily routine and physical condition in a terrible state.

“William Clark…”

Suddenly, it was as if a voice was calling him.

William Clark’s face stiffened.

“William Clark…”

The voice seemed to drift from far away, filled with inexplicable sorrow.

But this was clearly just a bedroom, an ordinary room less than six square meters.

“William Clark…”

The voice came again.

William Clark clenched his teeth, trying to steady his rapidly beating heart.

With all this experience, he had discovered a pattern.

If he panicked in the dream, the footsteps would always get faster and closer. And his control over his body would get worse and worse.

‘Don’t be afraid.’

William Clark turned his face and glanced at the girl in the white dress sitting at the desk to his left.

Then he closed his eyes.

Took a deep breath.

Opened his eyes.

Whoosh!!

A pale woman’s face was right in front of him, almost touching his nose, staring straight at him.

They were less than a hand’s width apart.

The woman’s terrified eyes were wide open, as if she had seen something unimaginably frightening.

But suddenly, his vision blurred, and when William Clark looked again, the woman’s face was gone.

The girl in the white dress was still sitting at the desk with her back to him, motionless.

He trembled all over, struggling to control his body after the sudden fright.

Pa, pa, pa…

The footsteps were getting closer.

“William Clark…” The calling voice was getting nearer too.

Click.

Suddenly, the bedroom door slowly opened.

William Clark tried his best to control his body, to steady his emotions.

Pa, pa, pa…

The footsteps drew closer, slowly entering the room and stopping at the foot of his bed.

William Clark could clearly feel the other person watching him, with a mysterious smile, a cold and lifeless aura.

For some reason, he suddenly felt the other person reaching out, slowly moving their hand closer and closer to his blanket.

Bit by bit.

Getting closer…

“William Clark!!”

Suddenly, a piercing scream rang out right by William Clark’s ear, making his whole body go numb.

“If I die, we die together!!”