Little Fred Clover curled up in the corner of his room, sobbing quietly. His thoughts came rushing in all at once, leaving his chest aching and his heart unbearably heavy.
"Why do I keep having this dream? It's been years since I even saw my father, so why is he tormenting me now?!" (The thought echoed sharply in Fred's mind, sounding far older, far more aware, than the small body he was trapped in)... Any moment now he's going to come in, and there's nothing I can do to stop him. I'm stuck in this tiny body, but my actions are not my own. I have relived this nightmare dozens of times, and it always ends the same way. My mom tells me not to worry, she promises to protect me. But it never matters, he always comes through that door... and then hurts me. (Fred continues to tremble in fear, his crying becoming much worse)... I hate this, I hate being so helpless... If only I could move, if only I could do something, anything at all... I can't take this anymore. (He felt himself slipping, hope draining from him with every trembling breath)
Just then, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the hall. Little Fred instinctively looked toward the door, his body tensing with intense fear. He knew exactly what was about to happen.
"He's here." (Dread flooded Fred's mind as the figure at the door turned the handle with agonizing slowness, only for the door to remain stubbornly closed)
The figure tries the door a few more times, each attempt more forceful than the last. Young Fred watches in confusion, he's relived this moment dozens of times, and his father never took this long to get inside.
Toby Robinson: That's it!" (The young Dreamer yelled, suddenly kicking the door off its hinges)
"Is that... Toby?! What's he doing here?!" (Fred is visibly shocked, his mind and body syncing for a brief moment, but still no words are spoken)
Toby Robinson: I'm surprised that worked. Maybe I should've done that with the first door." (Toby said this as he turned, then stopped, spotting a young blonde boy crying in the corner of the bed)
"Help me." (The boy whispered)
"I don't understand... what is he doing here?! Are we having the same dream, is that even possible?! (The older Fred thought, still unable to speak through his younger self)
Toby Robinson: Hey... are you okay? What's wrong? (Toby said as he walked toward the boy, but suddenly stopped himself)... (Chuckles) Oh, I get it. This is a trap, you're obviously trying to trick me. You're that Wraith, disguised as a kid to catch me off guard... Well, tough luck, buddy. Because I'm not falling for it! (Toby expression hardened, he now saw this boy as a threat)
"What's he talking about? What's a Wraith?" (The older Fred wondered)
Toby Robinson: I am not playing with you here! Show yourself, or I'll blast you straight through that wall! (Toby voice bellowed, his gaze burning with intense dream energy, but then something clicked in his mind, and he hesitated)... Inspect. (Toby muttered the command, wanting to confirm the boy's identity before making a move he couldn't take back)
[Inspect]
[Name: Fred Clover]
[Race: Human]
[Level: None]
[Skills: None]
Toby Robinson: Oh my God, I am so sorry. Are you alright, Mr Clover? (Toby expression flipped instantly from hostility to shock, he rushed toward his teacher, feeling a little guilty for almost attacking him)
"Help... me." (The boy pleaded, tears still streaming down his face)
Toby Robinson: Don't worry sir, I'm here to save you. Just come with me. (Toby said as he extended a hand, wearing a warm smile on his face)
Little Fred Clover doesn't take the hand, he just keeps crying, and repeating the words 'Help me'.
"No! No! No! Toby you have to get out of here, it's not safe!" (The older Fred yells out, but his warnings go unheard by Toby, his voice still trapped in his younger self's mind)... Damn it all! I have to find a way to warn him, I can't let someone else get hurt! This happened to me, this is my trauma, my burden, only I should bare it! (Fred thought in anger, feeling very frustrated by his powerlessness)... Toby! Toby! You have to hear me! Get out of here right now! It's not safe, if you get hurt here, it will affect you in the real world! Toby!!! (The older Fred bellows, but his words do not exit the lips of his younger self, so Toby hears none of them)
Toby Robinson: Do you want me to carry you? (Toby asks him)
[Warning: You Are In The Presence Of A Dangerous Nightmare Being, A Wraith]
[Be Wary]
Toby quickly turns back, seeing a dark figure approaching the room door, and once it steps through it, Toby can finally see the Wraith.
Toby Robinson: There you are. (Toby said determinately, wary of the humanoid monster)
[Name: Abusive Dad]
[Race: Humanoid Type Nightmare Being]
[Level: Normal Grade Nightmare Being]
[Skills: Powered By Fear]
Toby Robinson: Don't worry sir, I've got this! (Toby says confidently)... Tamed Summoning, Summon Prince Charming, Noble and Browny! (Toby yells)
[Tamed Summoning Failed]
[Corruption Energy Interference]
Toby Robinson: Oh right, forgot about that. (Toby realises)
[New Quest Received: Survive this encounter with a Wraith]
[Quest Reward: Level Up And More]
[Quest Penalty: Possible Corruption, Certain Death]
"What did you do, Freddy? What did you do?!" (The nightmare being bellows, it's booming voice shaking the furniture around them)
"I'm sorry, dad!" (Little Freddy pleaded, staring at the thing that is clearly not his real father)
"Oh you're gonna be sorry. After I'm done with you." (The nightmare growls as it moves towards them, removing it's belt to use on the boy)
Toby Robinson: Fascinating... It's very weird that you actually think, that I'm going to stand here and watch this! (Toby said in anger, his eyes burning with dream energy)... Don't worry sir, I won let him hurt a hair on your head. (Toby tells the boy)
The monster rushes towards them, it's hand raised to strike Toby with the belt. But Toby's eyes are already burning with dream energy, and his favourite word escapes his lips.
"Dream Beam!!!" (Toby bellows as he blasts the monster in the chest with the dream beams, launching it through the ceiling and straight out of the house)
Witnessing the awesome power of the dream beams, sparks a look of surprise from young Fred Clover, and for the first time since this nightmare began, he is finally able to express his own thoughts.
Fred Clover: What did you just do? (Fred asks in shock, his form now back to that of an adult)
Toby Robinson: Did I just blow up the ceiling? Or did I just blow your mind? (Toby joked before turning back, smiling as his eyes continue to burn with dream energy)
[-13 Dream Points]
[Dream Bank: 4824 Dream Points]
Next: How Strong Is A Wraith?