This nightmare was different than the rest.
It was happy.
The day before the fire Beatrix had just come home from college, which was out of state.
Her parents had already put up the holiday decorations, lights were strung out outside, and a Christmas tree was set up in the living room, it already a few presents underneath it.
Her father was helping her get her bags from her car, and her younger sister was tugging on her sleeve, chatting relentlessly.
Her brother, the middle child, was standing in the corner, pretending like he didn't care, but Beatrix could tell he missed her, and it was mutual.
This was the comfort she had been missing, a casual yet perfect ordinary feeling that came with family.
She'd never tell them, but she wasn't adjusting to college very well.
She was incredibly homesick, and she didn't have any friends to distract her from the feeling.
More than anything, she wanted to stay here and pretend like what was expected of her and her responsibilities didn't exist. It would be perfect. Every day would be the same, and that would be okay.
But that's not life.
Beatrix would go to school, get her degree, and get a job. And then she would probably get a different job, then a different one, and the cycle would continue. And that would be her life.
It hurt a bit to imagine, the idea of it all.
Beatrix shook her head. That's not important right now.
Her mom stepped out from the kitchen, and Beatrix rushed forward to hug her.
"I've missed you." Beatrix said, tears slightly welling up.
"Oh, me too. You have no idea how much I've missed you too." Her mom was ecstatic.
"I made a special dinner since you're home. All your favorites."
The day was bittersweet, but perfect.
But this perfect dream family had no idea what would come next.
-
Beatrix didn't wake up in fear this time, just sadness.
She could have all that back. Everything could be perfect again.
She slowly got up, grabbing one of her pillows as she left her room.
Beatrix walked the halls until she found the room where she had done countless study sessions.
She quietly opened River's door, making sure the door didn't creak. Her footsteps were silent, the only sound in the room was the quiet sound of River's breath. He was sleeping deeply. And for once, he looked comfortable, like he belonged somewhere.
He looked peaceful.
Beatrix slowly approached his sleeping form, gradually raising her pillow before harshly slamming it onto River's head.
She desperately held it there as River awoke, struggling. His arms were flailing, clawing at the pillow suffocating him.
Beatrix numbly put all of her body weight on him, doing her best to keep the pillow fixed.
She could see his arms start to lose their strength, his breathing was getting weaker. His ragged, pitiful breaths hurt her ears.
Just as she let her guard down a bit, River shot up in one last effort of strength, throwing her to the floor. She landed with a loud thump, her back aching.
His face was red, and he was struggling to catch his breath, chest heaving. He adopted a guarded stance, obviously unsure of what she would do next.
Beatrix was similarly out of breath, her chest heaving. Her face was red, and tears were streaming down her face. Anguish distorted her face, warping it into an ugly picture of desperation.
She didn't want this, but she had no choice.
River stared at her in shock, barely able to understand what had just happened.
"You… Why did you… I don't understand." His confusion was slowly leaving, replaced by fury.
"You tried to kill me!"
Beatrix just stared at the floor, exhausted and crying. She was overwhelmed with guilt. Both for her family and River.
He didn't deserve this.
But her family didn't deserve to die.
River let out a small chuckle, the anger faded into a sinister levity.
"You know, I've always hated you. But I didn't know you hated me so much that you'd try and kill me. I knew you disliked me, but this is a bit much." He said wryly.
He frowned at Beatrix's lack of reaction. If his plans were to all come crashing down, he wanted a grand finale at least.
"You don't deserve everything you have. You have been blessed from day one and aren't even aware. Your parents love you, you have good grades, and you're disgustingly rich. You want for nothing. Yet here you are. Trying to kill me." He laughed.
"Why? Do I piss you off so much that you need to kill me? You'd go to jail just so you never see me again?" He continued.
"You could've just told me to go away, you know." He was trying to sound accusatory and humorous, but Beatrix heard the hurt in his voice.
She looked up, making eye contact with him.
His face was similarly twisted. Anger, confusion, and sorrow painted his handsome features.
"I'm sorry." What else could she say?
"I'm going to call the police. God, I can't believe you just tried to kill me!" He was anguished and strangely scared. He didn't understand why this all happened.
"Wait." She stopped him, reaching her hand out.
"Stay away from me." He stepped back, too many emotions were taking over, and he needed to get away from her.
"You want my money, right?"
"What?" He stopped and turned to look at her.
"I'll give you my money if you don't turn me in."
He stared at her.
"Are you going to try and kill me again?"
"No." Beatrix said simply.
He contemplated for a moment. What he wanted was right in front of him; how could he just let it go? He didn't understand why this happened, but that didn't change what he wanted.
But it hurt.
It hurt that this was what their friendship culminated to.
"Fine. But I'll hold you to that."
It's not like he had evidence, Beatrix thought. Charlotte's parents may be partial to River because of his parents, but if he accused her, they'd take Beatix's side, no doubt. She was their daughter, and they had only just met River.
But it's not like she needed the money.
Beatrix walked past River, his eyes watching her the whole way.
"Why? Why did you do it?" He was hurt, Beatrix could tell. It was in his voice as he asked her his final question.
Beatrix paused for a moment, but then continued walking.
What could she say?