1 It's just a dream

"stop please" she pleaded on seeing him stop, her hope was once again restored, as she moved close to the figure in front of her facing him she shivered at the sight before her. Figuring the figure to be a male, The aura emanating from him was contradicting what she felt, she felt cold and her teeth had begun to gnash at each other as she moved close to him she tried moving away but her feet have suddenly become stuck and too heavy to carry her.

His eye had a blazing red colour in it like a bush burning in the harmattan as it spread toward her, burning through her. Just as she was about to scream she heard a familiar voice call her name which caught her attention as everything went blank in seconds it was a dream

"Jasmine, Jasmine" her mum called worriedly, opening her eyes she saw her mum's worried look as she called her.

"Mama" she hugged her as her mum asked "are you okay"

"Yes mother, morning ma it was just a dream"standing up she drew the curtains in her room letting the light fall in the room, as her mum watched her, she was trying to avoid her mum from questioning her, Glad she had woken her up before she could scream out loud and be ready for interrogation

"where's papa," she asked her mother who was still staring at her ever since she stood up

"Gone to work" Jasmine pecked her lightly on her cheeks "mom you look beautiful, can you please excuse me I need to..." before she could continue she got interrupted by her mum.

"see who is trying to get rid of me don't tell me my baby is shy, I have seen everything you know, or are you hiding something from me?"

"Mmmmm" her cheeks burning with shyness and embarrassment

"ok, ok" she smiled as she left her daughter's room closing the door behind her, walking across the room she sat on her bed pondering on what she had just seen it's like she would be visiting the library soon, thinking to herself just as she was about to undress her door burst open it was her mom.

"Mom I thought I already told you" she couldn't complete her words as her mom said, "I know I just forgot to tell you what I came to tell you before I met you in your sleepy state" this caught Jasmine's attention what if her mum had heard her say something how long has she been here was her mum keeping something from her' she thought, as she eyed her unconsciously, "since you are at home don't you think you should visit some of your friend, Tacha's daughter has been asking of you" Tacha was their neighbours whom Jasmine barely knew not like she would when she doesn't associate herself with others and" she continued not noticing Jasmine's mood change at her words as if remembering something she brought out an envelope "this was delivered here by the courier this morning for you and if you ask me I didn't read".

"Be fast I need you in the kitchen"placing the envelope by the bedside table she left.

This time Jasmine locked the door as she scurried off to the bathroom as she took her bath and brushed her teeth getting ready for a new beginning, as she slipped into a polka dot gown that reached her knee, she combed her hair as she tied it and rolled it into a doughnut, she has never been a fan of makeup even though her mum had often talked her to it.

Ever since she left college and got to her parent's house she has tucked herself in, only going out when asked to or when necessary or visiting the library, Taking her iPod with her she left her room to join her mum in the kitchen.

On getting there she met her mum done with whatever she wanted her to do earlier, writing all that will be needed in the house when they go to the market.

"Mum I'll be taking the garbage out", "and I will be taking a walk" she added she said not waiting for a response as she grabbed the trash and went out of the house playing no music she still plugged the earpiece into her hear to make others ignore her.

placing the trash into the trash can she decided to take a little walk to the library, as she headed there her phone rang it was her best friend Thomas.

"Hey babe what's up"rolling her eyes at the caller. "since when did I become your babe" Did you get the letter?" he asked ignoring her reply

Remembering the letter her mum had brought she had forgotten about it, she closed her eyes and opened it

"Sorry I got it but have not read it, so you sent it, how are you doing?" she asked.

"I'm good only I'm pained you haven't even called ever since we saw each other " I hope you are preparing my Christmas present, I won't take it lightly if you do not get me one this year and read that letter with love please"

"oh no she thought she had forgotten about Christmas day what has she not ever forgotten?" Tom, I'm on my way to the library can we talk later and I have not forgotten Christmas I will surely gift you something this year will be visiting you and I will read your letter when I get home, love you, my regards to Ella"

"Don't forget my present as well" she added

"you know I won't"

"whatever" she replied to him, saying her goodbyes she hung up. Ella was Thomas younger sister who liked Jasmine a lot.

Looking up for the first time she took notice of the changes in the street ever since she got back decorations that have been made the whole street looked beautiful how could she had forgotten a time like this shaking off the thought, as she got to the library and was about walking in she bumped into someone, apologising quickly she walked into the librarian's office.

"Afternoon Mr Walter how have you been?" she greeted him as she sat in the chair opposite him. Mr Walter who had served as a librarian knew each and everyone who came in to read to while away time, the serious ones and those who came to cause havoc.

'smiling back, have been good only it's been long since I saw you here, any book you want to read that you have in mind?" returning her greetings he asked.

"Do you have a book on vampires?" she asked

Mr Walter being a business minder didn't ask for the reason for her sudden interest in vampires story, knowing how strange the girl could be, he simply directed her to the shelf which held stories related to vampires, thanking him she left his office straight to the place she was directed to on getting there she saw a book that caught her attention"The cold one's history" written by some Hannah smothers, she took it as she promised to return it later, leaving the library she headed back home.

On getting home she met the door locked no one at home,' mum must have gone to market' she thought as she went to the place where the key was always kept unlocking the door, she got it as she locked it, thinking about what to give Paul as a gift 'she would have to ask him' thinking to herself, she got into her room, then she remembered the letter, seeing the letter she was curious to see what trick Thomas might be trying to pull as, retrieving it from the bedside table she opened it as she read it's content, as she placed the book she had borrowed on her bed.