Week Twenty Three: Unhinged: Nightmae VI

 Engulfed in an abyss of numbness and silence, she fell. Within her, emotions of the dead-she presumed. During her nightmares she never knew all the details to what asylum of history she’d visit. As she watched the wind flow through her hair, she waited. This in particular nightmare was taking time to make its course. Her first feeling… How cold the wind was as it resisted her fall. Oddly enough, it seemed welcoming.

 Emptiness. Whoever’s life she was experiencing held onto nothing. Literally. No love came to mind as she continued to slip farther and farther into the abyss. There was no memory that made itself known as she continued her journey. The only feelings she could note for this nightmare: Nothingness and the cold physical touch of the air.

 An anxiousness of her own dwelled inside her. Who was this person or species since she had experienced many varieties of memories. What did they do to lead up to this abyss. How did they find it?

 Theories began to surface her mind as a sudden loss of breath left her chest. She could feel her heartbeat throughout her body. The Pressure forced her to focus not on the surrounding darkness but on the ice within her body.

 Trembling she realize this nightmare wasn’t of anyone or anything’s death. This was a rare encounter of her own fears and her first fear: Being Lost.

Lost

I wake to my own screams

The one I love, devoted to me

Losing me, a fear radiant to my vision

Sweat covers my body

I’m a threat to myself

The high mental activity cost yet another night and two days

When I do not wake, where am I?

How does my body not go into shock

During these mental adventures I seek

What I seek, unknown to me

One fact stands

Not only am I lost when my eyes are closed

My open eyes don’t dare to see

The path of the lost is infected

And infested with emptiness

There is nothing left in me

A life of my own I cannot live

Instead, the past lives of others reply in me

What I am

Is a record

Of lost last memories

--

 Fidgeting with a pencil, Wes stared off into space. Hal, sitting across the living room looked up from his textbook to glance at his love. It was obvious that he was lost in thought again. What Wes was lost in, Hal would be intrigued to know, but he knew better than to ask.

 Physically in front of Wes was the TV. However it was off and he had no intention of turning it on. By placing himself in front of the big screen he could step into another world. One he couldn’t describe without words, no matter how hard he tried.

 Juvallian, a cat humanoid known also as a Tabaxi, knew that he’d have another one of these moments. The blank TV screen helped him seem less insane to anyone who didn’t know what he was actually doing. It took a few awkward encounters but he was finally there. He found her, the one close to death. By the way she was acting he could tell that she wasn’t awake like himself. To be ‘aware’ in this world he was in took a lot of concentration.

 From afar Wes took note of the girl. Physical appearance when out of the world were his worst. He was better with emotions and auras (the feeling of a person that surrounded them. However not felt by the person it belonged to)

 Her core (located in the middle of the chest) pulsed a black. Despite this appearance, Wes knew that the black wasn't’ a negative aspect to her detail. What concerned him was the trance she seemed to be in.

 In this world. Wes was never located in the same exact location as the person or thing he was looking for or into. Instead, he could view and observe what he needed to collect to help the person or thing when they passed..

 However, in this girl Wes wasn’t sure but she seemed to be searching. Although where she was searching would only make it harder for herself without guidance. Reaching out to her, Wes gasped as he began to see though her perspective with his vision doubling over her

 Scattered. The girl felt lost. But what she didn’t know was that she was made of many feeds, all trying to display themselves at once. Her actual self believed that it didn’t exist since it hadn’t been to the forefront of her mind since the beginning of living.

 A shudder ran hough Wes’s body this girl was made of shattered mirrors. Finding her peace would consist of directing her true self to her aware self. Through many years of practice Wes could tell the difference between his own deeper self and aware self. However, understanding that concept for anyone else was impossible.

 The girl thought she didn’t exist due to all the noise within her mind. Wes would have to silence it all in order to reach both her deeper self and aware self. He also had to be careful that he didn’t cause any more of an uproar which would be easy to do with all her fragmentionation.

 Taking a moment to breath, Wes took a step back and emerged back into the living room with the TV. Curled up in his lap, Hal snuggled and slept. Gently caressing Hal’s face Wes realized how difficult this save was going to be. He’d have to plan and take action physically if he had hope in saving this one.

Taking Hal in his arms, Wes took him to the bedroom when suddenly he froze. One of the many fragments played in his head. In real time only two seconds passed but in that world it was almost a lifetime.

 Wes held onto Hal for dear life in the physical world. Sighing he managed to make it to the bed where he tucked in Hal and slipped under the covers where he would build his defenses mentally against her fragments. If he wasn’t careful he’d allow the fragmentation happen to himself. Then the situation would only escalate from there.

 Kissing Hal goodnight, Wes closed his eyes to experience a very familiar sense that the girlf labeled ‘nightmare’.

 

Week Twenty One: Unhinged: Nightmare V

 Placing her backpack next to her, Devon took the seat adjacent and took out their assignments. Next to them, he placed their text books. Then looked up at her, he frowned as he saw the bags under her eyes.

 “When’s the last time you actually slept?” He questioned.

 Shaking her head, Vali sighed. “I have never actually slept.” She said. “But it was depressing for me to stay in the facility at the hospital and also not cost efficient.” She explained. “No amount of pills helped.” She pushed her tongue up against her cut in her lip.

 Getting up, Devon return with a box of tissues. “You physically cannot handle whatever it is you’re going through emotionally or mentally.” He said sternly, “But you can’t afford help.”

 “Pretty much.” Vali smiled, placing the tissue over her lip, then dabbing it a couple of times. “My father is nonexistent because he works out of town and my mother can’t handle my stress so she completely avoid me. My brother works so that he can make sure me and him can make it.” Vali shook her head. “The worst part is…” She let a couple of tears fall. “I can’t tell anyone what’s really going on.”

 Keeping his eyes on her, Devon replied gently. “You can tell me.”

 Tears continued to fall. “No, Devon. I can’t.” She said, this time, Devon reached over and dabbed her tears from her face. “However long it takes, I’ll be here to help.”

 Hearing the scream echo in her head, Vali cringed. “You don’t want to know about any of this.” She said shriving up. “I’ve tried to tell my brother but he forgets. It’s weird. Even, Rhena, my best friend will listen but she can’t understand or remember it.” She coughed out. “It’s as if I’m cursed.”

 Laying his hand on her, Devon sat quietly. Looking up at him, she noticed that his eyes never left hers. She truly had his undivided attention and he honestly wanted to help. This made her long to trust him but she knew that it was impossible, she could talk to no one.

 Beside him, Rhena appeared. Squinting her eyes and wiping away a couple of more tears, she stuttered. “Rhena?” She said, making Devon turn.

 Smirking, Devon blinked twice. Seeing nothing, he turned back to Vali. “Hate to tell you this, Hun.” He said gently. “But no one’s there.”

 Wide eyed, Vali looked up and down Rhena then looked harder to see the slight transparency. “I don’t have time for you.” She spat, not caring that Devon was listening at this point. “I can’t sleep because of things like you, now you’re wanting to invade my physical life. I don’t think so.”

 “Looks like you’re going to lose your only friend, Vali.” Fake Rhena hissed. “Time’s ‘a ticking.” She cackled. “Soon you’ll be lost forever in this world.” She smiled. “Can’t wait to see you in our world.” It hissed then disappeared.

 Sighing, Devon felt Vali’s forehead with the back of his hand. “You’re not running a fever.” He said as he slowly took his hand away. “But I don’t care how crazy it sounds.” He said sternly. “You have to tell someone even if it doesn’t make sense to them.” He added.

 “Looking at you like this,” Devon said taking his other hand away and gesturing to her. “It makes someone like me, a complete stranger, concerned for you.” Making a small smile with his lips, Devon took a second to think. “I don’t want you to think that you’re weak.” He began. “If anything, I’ve seen you go through this in the distance and I frankly can’t handle seeing someone in pain for this long.”

 Sitting up, Vali inhaled. Before she could speak, Devon held his hand up. “Let me finish.” He said quietly. “Please, Vali. Even if I forget by tomorrow…” He shrugged. “Tell me over and over again until you can look more alive than you do.” He said, as a girl sat across from her.

 “I’m sure Kiana will understand.” He said passing her a smile and a look that Vali knew meant that she was more than a friend.

 “Hi, Vali.” Kiana said, her emerald eyes gazed over her in concern. “Devon has told me about you over the semester and said he was concerned for you. I told him that he could approach you if he’d like and I wouldn’t feel jealous. But if it makes you feel a little more secure you can talk to both of us. Individually, together, however you’d like. I’m not going to be here long seeing that I’m supposed to be in another classroom but Devon texted me and I swung by before coming back from the bathroom.”

Seeing her complimenting aura next to Devon’s made Vali smile. “You two are beautiful.” She said, without thinking.

 Blushing, Devon turned away in embarrassment while Kiana smiled. “Thank you.” She said, taking Vali’s hand in hers. “Whatever you need from either of us, we’ll do what we can okay?” She said then gave Devon a kiss on the cheek before she left the table.

 “She’s an upperclassman.” Vali said in amusement as she realized the uniform difference.

 “Yea…” Devon said, recovering from her presence. “She’s super understanding which is why I went ahead and told her what was going on. I know that I didn’t tell you but you need help and not in a bad way.” He added quickly. “All I want to do is help you and she has been through some tough times. I would like to include her if possible.”

 Glancing over at the assignment, Vali picked up the pencil and gestured for a text book. Silently, Devon watched as she turned to the page, glanced over the section the paper was over and finish it within ten minutes. Sighing, Devon pulled his paper to him and opened up his textbook. “That easy huh?”

 Vali shook her head. “You want me to trust you and tell you things, yea?” She said closing the textbook and pushing the assignment towards him.

 “Yes, but I don’t want to copy off your paper.” Devon replied sternly.

 “Of course.” Vali smirked, feeling herself waver again. “Let me allow you to be in on a secret of mine.” She said, still looking at him without full focus.

 “Go for it.” Devon nodded.

 “A part of me already knows all this.” Vali said pointing to the textbook. Then spreading her arms out to gesture at the whole library she pushed what little focus she had left into her last sentence. “I know most of this.”

 Feeling herself fade away, she watched as Devon hurried to catch her. Touching her neck, Devon sighed. Then picked her up in his arms. It was distant, but she could hear Devon assure her. “I’m taking you to the nurses and hopefully, we can help you with whatever it is.”

Week Nineteen: Unhinged: Nightmare IV

 The classroom around her shrunk as she felt a piercing pain in the side of her temple. Suddenly, her breath was short and she was a man running for his life. The battle had spread across the lands. A battle between all species. This man was an elf, out of arrows, but a speed that Vali had never encountered before. Behind him, a spirit.

 It had a black void for eyes, Vali could feel its vengeance. The elf had never encountered a spirit that could surpass a few prayers or chants that he knew from the heart. Around his neck was a charm that usually prevented encounters like so. The elf’s heart raced. The spirit has separated the soul of his eagle. (Which was another thing he had never seen before) So running was his only option.

 Vali felt her physical body jolt in distress. This elf was going to die. That was the only way she could connect with the scene. But how? Coming to the edge of the mountain, the elf came to a screeching halt. Behind him, the spirit persuade. He could feel his soul being sucked towards the spirit. Wide eyed, Vali felt the legs of the elf jolt then felt the wind past his face, a long spell left his lips as he cascaded down the mountain.

 Two minutes. That would the be the amount of time it took for him to hit the ground in a splat. Embracing the fall, Vali felt for her physical body. It was nowhere in her mental reach. A second before the elf slammed into the ground, the spell translated.

 Barriers of the heart be my ground.

Survive shall be the sound.

From truth will honesty bound

A soul to its true calling.

May it be heaven, may it be hell.

 Biting her lip, Vali gripped her desk in hopes of finding her physical body. This hadn’t happened while she was awake before. At least she was sitting. Tasting the blood from her lip. She opened her eyes slowly. Her body quivered as she came to.

 Surrounding her, the whole class stared. Impatient, the teacher pushed her glasses up and crossed her arms. “Xevolta, we don’t have time for one of your ‘mental’ breakdowns.” She said in aggravation. “Would you like to leave?”

Nodding, Vali tried to get up. Feeling the weakness in her muscles, she panicked. Her mental self wasn’t connecting with her physical self. Tears forming, Vali sat helpless as the teacher tapped her foot.

 “Don’t have time for games, Ms. ‘Volta.” She pressed, her lips doing the slant Vali knew everyone hated.

 “I…” Vali shuddered. Feeling the tears run down her cheeks.

 “You, what.?” Her teacher rolled her eyes in annoyance.

 Vali felt herself get heavier and farther from her body. The whole class was quiet. She absolutely could not stand her teacher. Most of the time she’d be quiet and do her work but this teacher had something against her. Especially when she came in crying the first time in class.

 Suddenly, Vali felt herself be lifted from her side. “Let’s go, Vali.” A baritone voice, showered over her. “I’m sure our teacher won’t mind me escorting you to the nurse.”

 Another glare was pointed in her direction. Vali wasn’t sure what her teacher had against her. She did all her work, the only thing that she did that might bother her is that she cried sometimes in class due to the emotion stress of neverending nightmares. A strong hand held her steady as the boy partly guided partly carrier her out of the room. Once he shut the door behind them, he leaned her against the lockers.

 His hazel eyes met hers in concern. “You okay?”

 Wide eyes, Vali stood speechless. “Santiago…?” She asked in a daze.

 “Devon…?” He said, waving a hand in her face. “You with me, Xevolta?”

   Vali felt her mental self reconnect with her physical self. “Devon…?” She asked, feeling her voice speak in the back of her throat.

 “Yea…” Devon blushed. “Guy who doesn’t talk much. Sometimes turns in your paper for you when you pass out in class for exhaustion…” He shrugged. “That guy?”

 Looking Devon over, Vali smirked as she saw his aura bleed off of him in a haze. Of course he would help her, there was a connection he didn’t understand that existed. Taking in a slow breath, Vali sighed. “I’m sorry that you have to help me in class so much.” She said still feeling the shakiness in her body.

 Touching her side, Devon urged her to lean on him. He was steady, and it almost felt romantic, had Vali not felt bad that he was the one pulling her weight in more than a literal sense.

 “Please don’t take this the wrong way…” Devon blushed. “I have a girlfriend…” He muttered. “But if I let Ms. No Soul abuse you anymore I wouldn’t have forgiven myself.” He smirked. “So to the nurse or would you like to go somewhere else?”

 Another sigh left her lips as she felt her weight adjust to Devon’s side. “I’m sorry, Devon.” She said, tears in her eyes. “If I could explain the kind of exhaustion I go through I would but…”

 “Don’t worry about it.” He smiled, shifting himself to be in front of her. “Piggyback ride to wherever you decide?” He asked lightly.

 Pulling her onto his back, Devon stood waiting for direction. “Would the library be okay…?” Vali managed, feeling herself lose focus again. A scream of pain rung in her ears, making her grip on Devon tighten. “All I want is for it to stop.” She cried.

“Whatever it is.” Devon said, holding her tightly. “I’m sure you’ll get through it. You do assignments without looking practically. And don’t say you can’t. I’ve literally seen you do it without looking at your paper as if you knew before she explained everything.”

 Vali gave a tired laugh. “I appreciate it, Devon.” She said, resting her head on his shoulder.

“Like I said” Devon smiled as he pushed the library door open. “Don’t worry about it.” He smiled. Turning his back to her. “Let me get our backpack and I’ll be back okay. Don’t pass out until I get back.”

 With what strength she had, Vali nodded. “I’ll try.” She said, hearing his laugh in the distance.

Week Sixteen: Unhinged: Nightmare III

 Her first instinct was to hide. She could hide, then return home, but then she would have to put the barriers up once again. He could sense this in her, and that’s why he sat quietly in his room. This was a big decision on her part, now that he knew how she truly felt about the situation. This was one of the aspect of this dimension that she hated. Nothing was a secret here. At least, between them.

 After her como relationship with him she spent more time appreciating who she was physically around. Although the memories of their love life lingered in her heart, she set her eyes on what she could physically see and focused on providing the love and appreciation that she was not able to give for her ten month coma.

 To allow him to be part of her life again was a big question. Because in her eyes, they had a life here in this dimension but not one in the physical world. He was loving and understand and persistent. Although, there was the language barrier.

 Appearing in the room with him, she looked over his body from head to toe. He was still physically attractive. More so, emotionally considering she knew everything he did in his perspective. It was hard to want to say no to him. To return to a life that seemed real enough that she forgot that her physically body was frozen made her long for what they had.

 “Baby steps.” She finally said as she looked deep into his eyes. “We never actually talked about where either of us were from.”

 He smiled. “If waiting two years isn’t long enough then I will do what I can, my love. I was hoping that this action itself could prove to you how much I care.”

 Vali looked through his memories as she tampered with a pencil at his work station. “Santiago Acero Cifuentes.” She said as the name came to her and rhythmically left her lips.

 “Vali.” He said, his head tilted. “I always thought it was short for something.” He smiled. “Like Valentine.”

 “No.” She blushed. “Although, I don’t mind you calling me Valentine if it’s easier for you.”

 “Vali- Sylvia- Xevolta….” Santiago said, his accent adjusting certain vowels. “That’s…” He smiled. “Muy bonita.”

 “Very beautiful…” the translation came to her with a smil. “Santiago…” She said as she stood from his work station. “Here, we can translate… In real life we can’t do that.” She smirked.  

 “Whatever language you speak.” He, said approaching her. “I’ll learn it.” He said as he took her hand. “I want us to be together.” He said, placing a kiss on her forehead. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

--

 Benjamin sat up in discomfort. There was something not right. Getting up quickly, he slipped into a shirt and jeans then ran to his sister’s room. Knocking on the door quietly, Benjamin spoke up in the way he did before he would enter her room. “Vali, I’m coming in.”

 Running to her bedside, Benjamin placed a light hand on his sister’s forehead. She seemed to not have a fever, that’s usually what woke him up if it was small. A deep fear emerged as he spoke to her in a shaky voice. “Vali…” His voice lost in fear.

 “Can you hear me, Vali?” He asked bringing her hand in his. “Please tell me you’ll be back soon, Vali.” He said with tears in his eyes. “I have a feeling you’re not going to be able to hear me this time.”

--

 Laying next to Santiago with his arm around her, Vali let out a comforting sigh. “I miss cuddling with you.” She said playing with his finger.

 “You don’t have to tell me twice.” Santiago smiled, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “Who is that?” He said as he looked up, a boy appeared at Santiago’s work station, arms crossed with his head down.

 “Who’s?” Vali questioned, turning to see the boy. “Ben…” She said, looking into Santiago’s eyes. “That’s my brother.” She replied.

 “How is he?” He questioned in concern. “Can he do what we can do?”

 “No.” Vali replied, now in more alarm. I need to wake up.” She said, giving Santiago a long kiss on the lips. “He needs me. He’s never jumped into this state before and if he’s-”

 Santiago’s lips stopped Vali from continuing. Pulling away a moment later, Santiago nodded. “Do what you have to do. I don’t want you to go through that pain again,” he said allowing her to stand.

 Nodding, Vali embraced Santiago once more then approached her brother. “Ben, how are you in Santiago’s room…?” She questioned then quickly adjusted her speech.

 “Hey, Ben…” She said with a smile. “Can you hear me?”

 “I…” Ben’s figure fluctuate as if the connection between the two was hazy. “You’re asleep how are you…?” He said, staring at the wall of Santiago’s room.

 “It’s a long story, brother.” Vali said, the queue of the nightmare leaking into her sense. “Brother, please I’ll come to you. Go to bed. I will awaken soon.”

 A silent pause was held between them. “You better.” He said, his figure fading from view. Turning to Santiago, Vali smiled. “I love you.” She said, receiving a reply in whatever language he spoke, Santiago frowned and pointed to his heart instead.

 Nodding, she touched her own then turned away from his. Around her the world slipped into darkness. The warrior’s kiss lingered on her lips. Heart breaking, Vali watched as she once again lived through the last moments of people’s lives.

 The last cry of the innocent child emerged from her lips, Vali shot up in a startle, her breath shaken and her sweat running down her face. Within second, her brother emerged at her door, tackling her in her bed.

 “I don’t know what happened, or what that was…” He said as he cried in her arms. “But whatever that is…” He held her tightly. “I love you and please…” His breath was slow. “I need an explanation.”

 Metting her brother’s eyes, Vali’s eyes widen as she saw the look that she knew she had given after her first interaction with the nightmares. “Please tell me you didn’t see anyone…”

 “Why?”! Ben’s voice raised in confusion and anger. “Is this why you wake up screaming almost every night?”

 Vali’s tears fell from her face as she held her brother tightly. “Yes.” She said squeezing him. “It’s a hell I hoped no one else would have to imagine.”

Week Twelve: Unhinged: Nightmare II

 Her breath in her chest beat as Vali emerged in tears. Awake, she was fully awake, thankfully. She felt the weight of her body anchor her but when she moved, she stumbled then took a breath. Oh no, not again. It had been months since she last projected, why she would do it now was beyond her.

 Feeling her weightless self she touched her body. At least she was breathing. Sometimes, when she projected her body would freeze, as if time had frozen and at that point she would need to find whatever it was that she was supposed to find before she could return to her body. Cursing, Vali walked over to her brothers room where he was sound asleep.

 “As I always do…” She smiled as she kissed his forehead. “I will return. No matter how long it takes.”

 Sometimes, it would take days. There was a time it took months, almost a year for her to return but she could hear her younger brother cry as he told her about his day and how much he missed her. Other times, she could feel his eyes on her and then later, maybe the following morning or the next he would tell her, “I know you think I’m crazy but I could have sworn I saw you. I always try to call out to you even though I know you can’t hear me but one of these days maybe you’ll be able to hear me and come home.”

 Her emotions swarmed her as she felt a heavy heart in her chest. In her sleep, if she felt any emotional pain she would feel it ten times worse in this dimension. She smirked as she continued to walk away from her house and into the neighborhood. The love for her brother was strong but the pain she felt for her brother was also intense because she always found herself regretting this double life of hers.

 One time, when she went into her coma state and was able to hear her brother speak, she had apparently had been gone for three months. However, so had he. The amount of remorse he felt for getting in his first relationship and never once taking a step into her bedroom to tell her goodnight weighed heavy on his heart. He never forgave himself despite the amount of comfort she gave to him when she came to. Although, what he didn’t know was that she also never forgave herself for she was not able to be there for his first love and his first heartbreak.

 As if it were a sixth sense, a color emerged in her thoughts. Its warmth and her attraction to it feel deeply within her. This was impossible. She had buried this memory long ago. She locked it away under barriers and barriers of locks that she threw the keys away to. Why was this feeling emerging now? Memory coming to the forefront of her mind she frowned. The last time she had been gone for almost a year it was because of this feeling. She was trying to run from it and at the same time it pulled her in. More importantly, the last time she had an addition to her hell in sleep she projected like so and found herself in love.

Meeting his hazel eyes, she bit her lip in annoyance. He was home, wherever that was, in his room, waiting for her. There was something different about him, she could feel the ware on his as his memories coursed through her eyes. He broke them down. It took two full actual years but he broke down every barrier that she had placed on his memory and was now beaten out of his strength. He hummed a tune that fluttered her heart, one that he knew in his language but couldn’t explain to her in hers. It didn’t matter. In this world, she knew every word and what it meant to him.

 He stood away from his body, looking out the window as if something was going to change about the scene. Something else was different about him, he seemed, heavier. Not physically, but in his heart. She felt his anxiety of not being able to reach her. The depression washed over her as she was enlightened about his discovery of the first barrier. She could also hear her say to him, in a stern voice, “I have to go. Even though I absolutely love everything about you. I have a life to return to. A real one.”

 He was remembering the last time they spoke. The last kiss lingered on her lips. Cursing, she could feel the regret in his heart as he tried to move on in the physical world but despite his efforts, he couldn. He couldn’t understand why none of his physical relationships were even close to theirs. A smirk came upon her lips. Could it even be considered a relationship consider that she was in a coma in the physical world and he would return to her after going to sleep in his?

 “Two years.” She said to herself, although she knew he could hear her. “You know, maybe you should physically meet up with me since you’ve gone through all this trouble.”

 A mixture of emotions coursed through him as he heard her voice for the first time since two years ago. “I don’t think you understand how much I want to yell at you.” He said quietly, under his breath. “Those barriers you placed…” Tears collected in his eyes. “They were created specifically to make sure I wasn’t going to be able to contact you.”

 There was a pause as he she felt him push away the anger. “But it doesn’t matter how much I want to yell, scream, embrace you, or anything honestly.” He said as she felt his tears flow down his cheeks. “Is it too much to ask to speak to you?” His voice cracked as he began to sob.

 “What I don’t understand is how you can love me…” He said, his breath heavy. “And then turn away to forget about me…” He wondered.

 His emotions flowed rapidly through her body. Slamming into the weightless body she acquired, she clenched her hands into a fist and then fell to her knees to stare at the asphalt of the road. She wasn’t going to go to him. After what she had put her brother though she swore that she would never do this again. Every minute could be longer in the real world and every moment she spent wasting her time, the more distance from her brother she would be..

 “Your brother means that much to you?” He said, his voice clearing. There was a happiness and sadness that fluctuated in his voice. “I’m not going to ask you to not be with him, or you real life…” He whispered. “What I’m asking…” He said with a sigh. “Is…” He paused. “Can you make time for me?”

Week Five: Unhinged: Nightmare I

 A breath of life surfaces, suddenly, life itself plays out its role. A warrior kisses his wife their last kiss, gives his child their last hug, and makes an unfulfillable promise. This, is where it begins. As a death await one man, a war takes to the skies.

 One of the luckier times about dying first in battle is the fact that it is over quickly. One spear through the heart, one magical blast seering through the body…one moment is all it takes to relive a life well spent. Becoming one with nature gives the brethren a boost. Filling them with hope, with a purpose.

 Sadly, despite all efforts, there are no survivors, However, it all starts with one. Then the next. Odd how death has no enemy, how it brings a restful peace. Yet, it can muster a vendetta. All in all, the breath of the first deaths channel through years, inspiring the next generation to do different, or end up the same.

 Holding back the string to a bow, the archer stands tall next to his assigned lined. Not all are men, some are woman, others... are neither. For the first time in history do orcs, goblins, dragons, spellcasters, warriors, orcs, and mythical creatures of all kinds, have come together due to a common enemy.

 What the war was about? No one will know. However, what the future withholds is every death, every breath taken, every screech, all of it.... Shall be played individually. As if it were a song set on repeat. One breath in, the other, gone.

 This condition later became knowns as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Although, there was only one issue that came to this specific set of nightmares. Most, if not all, did not experience their traumas first hand. The victims held by these nightmares were mythical creatures and humans of all age, shape, size, and form.

 With the bow tense between the archer’s fingers, the signal echoed across the land and all together, as if one body, and one mind, the line of archer’s fired. Then, they continued to fire. Adrenaline rushes to the host’s body as the archer continues to fly through their arrows. Around them, their brothers and sisters fall. Screams of war ripple through the air. Roars of mythical creatures overlap one another, men and women scream as they feel their life’s being sucked away by spellcaster’s summons.

 Cold sweat trickles down the host’s face. The warmth of the room meaning nothing to their bodies experience this war. If anything, some mumble, or groan. Others move as they feel their minds focus in on the experience. Suddenly, the first choking breath enters the mind of the host. The archer has been pierced by another arrow, then another. The chest begins to beat, wanting to release air but cannot.

 In this way, some host die in their first as well as last encounter with the nightmare. Others, awaken in shock and a cold sweat, running to their loved ones to tell the tale. Some, cannot express the experience with words. In reaction, victims draw terrifyingly accurate scenes of the war. Others spread tales of these nightmares to take the pressure off their chest. A few, hide it, and pretend that the nightmares do not occur.

 Had they known, ignoring the nightmare would only make it ten times worse on their end then they’d open up and share the tale with others. This allowed the nightmare to spread, through word of mouth, then, eventually, through genetics. What time period the war was actually fought seems to be a mystery. What doesn’t remain a mystery is the nightmare’s existence.

 Those who die due to stress on their unconscious bodies are considered lucky. Each night that a victim can withstand the fight on their vessel proves that the victim is one step closer to being able to end the nightmares for good. So far, no one has lived since the three hundredth encounter. Meaning, either they were lucky and died before then… Or, each passing day they pushed through, knowing that it was a nightmare, that at moment… They would wake up.

 Only one has made it to the three hundredth encounter. Surprisingly, and horrifyingly, this victim is a child. A fifteen year old mythic who lives under the surveillance of scientist. She would like to believe that the scientist were doing everything they could to keep her alive (and at times this is true). Deep down inside, she knew the truth, they couldn’t keep her alive with their power alone/ She had to do something to stop the nightmares for good.

 Vali’s eyes open, reviewing a world she knew too well. Some of the other mythics had the same condition as she did, but none of them had lived through their fifth encounter. This, would be her three hundred and sixtieth. For almost a year now, Vali’s mind would wander into this dark place where mythical creatures or all kinds died different deaths.

 The first one would be simple. It was a warrior, an honorable one, jumping in front of his brother to save him, for only a moment. In the next moment after, she would breath the life of the brother, watching his fellow war buddy breath his last breath. From behind, would spawn a witch, zapping him with lightning, frying everything up to his brain, where he would slowly feel the burn throughout his body, and see only one detail of the witch, her ring.

 After his last breath, she would become the witch, would send a cold chill down her spine. Feeling the heartless wench sould first hand determined that pain was nothing but a cake walk. Instead, an orc’s club would slam through the witch’s side, allowing her to scream and place a curse on the club. Once the witch’s breath ceased, the orc would stumble and fall, not sure why he felt ill and could not let go of his club. As the thought occurred to him that he had been curse, the orc fell, face hitting the dry earth, the orc watched as a mother gave birth to a child, her dead body shielding the child from harm. Vali always woke up in tears if this was the scene she would be allowed to wake up to.

 Tonight, she would not be waking up, instead, she would see through the child’s eyes, how death came upon it.