Gabby found herself, lying on a cold hard soil. Her head was aching, and she could feel a chilling sensation, that simply won't fade away.
She rubs her eyes, and saw a thousand stars shimmering above her. She panicked. Looking around she felt shocked as she was surrounded by tall and large...
Trees.
Trees.
And more trees.
She could smell the scent of pines, everywhere.
The sound of crickets even added a more realistic feel to it.
She swore that she could even feel her fingers mix itself with the granules of soil. It was sticky. And some of it was even stuck on her nails. It felt..too real to dismiss.
She tried her best not to panic, but she was just too tired to yell anything. She wanted to ask for help but this could be a dream.
Kudos to the sand fairy though, this dream was like a VR experience.
...
"Hello there," a cold voice greeted from behind.
She felt her heart rushed its rhythmn.
Gabby turned around.
"Ah, I see you look scared,"
Her mouth felt dry at the sight of the man before her.
She could not make out his face.
But she could see one red eye gleaming in the darkness. Matched with an evil grin, she was sure that if this was a dream, he definitely will be her sleep paralysis demon.
Gabby tried to stand up, and thank goodness, she can still walk...and run!
However, she seems to be running on an endless loop.
She...never seem to have gone far enough.
That was when she lost it again.
No matter how hard she despise herself for being a burden, a damsel...she was only human.
And her instict tells her to call for help quickly.
If this was a dream, she don't want it anymore.
And if it wasn't...oh boy, can't she catch a break?
GABBY: Help me! Red! I...wanna wake up!!!
The demon appears on her front, smiling, it's hands starting to grow long long claws. He looks at her, his face still dark.
And smiles once again...a very wide, unnerving smile.
"Where do you think you're going?"
He chuckles.
"You're kinda cute, think we can get along?"
But all he recieved was more trembling from her.
"Hmmm, still no reply?"
Gabby's eyes began to water, afraid at what he would do.
But still wanting to live, she ducks his attack.
She ran the other direction, although uncertain if it would get rid of him.
Gabby was running out of air, but she was persistent on surviving this.
GABBY: I...I need to run away.
Two dry hands began to cover her mouth however, and she was forced to stumble.
Now in a certain defeat, she closes her eyes, while mumbling cries for help.
The man scratches her cheek, making it bleed.
The pain felt familiar. She just can't pinpoint it. But it was...
She saw her own blood fall to her hands.
Why...was this too realistic, for it to simply be a dream?
"See you soon, little doll,"
He whispers to her ear, before finally letting go.
Her worn body falls to the ground. Her eyes greeted by thousands of ghouls and spirits, all smiling at her.
She was so scared, that she passed out completely.
...
Silas was amused.
Surely it was a dream, but it felt so real.
And her skin, felt so soft...almost as if-
His thoughts stopped.
He remembered 'her' again.
Perhaps her longing for 'her' makes him have such silly dreams.
He touches his head, and wonders what his dream could have meant.
He peeks outside the huge tree's hollow, looking at the twinkling stars.
Her screams. Her eyes. Her scent. It...makes him want to kill her too.
Whoever the girl he saw back then, she reminds him of 'her' in some way. She smells awfully like...her.
He frowns in distaste and was about to scream, until two white snakes appears hanging from the branches.
"Sssshhhh," They reminded.
That was when Silas remembered Hanayo sleeping on the same hollow. Having Jinko's wings as his own blanket, with Jinko being extremely uncomfortable.
The Jorugumo, Fia...was transformed as a spider to occupy less space. And was holding her laughter, watching her friend's discomfort worsen.
SILAS: *sigh* The demigod, Hanayo, can control a lot of forest animals by will, but can't sleep without a blanket?
CRYSA: Don't talk to our master like that! Aren't you the one who needs his help?
FLORA: And how dare you insult him while he is fast asleep?
SILAS: I...*sigh* I apologize.
JINKO: Oi, you're awake right?
SILAS: Yes, of course. I have my eyes open, and I'm sitting up. Of course I'm awake.
JINKO: Then at least get something warm to cover the pretty boy. My wings are getting tired.
SILAS: Just endure it. It's almost morning.
JINKO: That's the freaking point, Dark fairy or some... I... I want to sleep, you know! Even for a few hours. My energy is drained, and I need it to sustain my abilities.
SILAS: Fine, fine, just stop whining.
JINKO: I'm not whining!
Silas ignores him and jumps out from the tree.
SILAS: (I swear once they're no use I'll destroy them too, such brats to order me around)
...
Gabby wakes up, terrified of what happened in her sleep.
She was crying, touching her cheek while opening the lights and looking at her phone's screen, searching for the injury. There was none. But the pain was still there.
Red and Humility pops in her room, all curious as to why she was covered in sweat and tears.
RED: Another bad dream, huh?
HUMILITY: She often have these?
Red hands her a glass of water, then turns back at his friend.
RED: Sometimes. The first one was pretty bad, the others that followed were about horror movies she watched. This...is the second worst I think. She looks...really scared.
Gabby wipes her tears.
They heard a knock on her door. That was when Gabby began trembling again.
Humility opens the door, and saw the old worried Deltha.
DELTHA: I heard some noise, how's the girl doing?
GABBY: Oh, it's...it's just you.
HUMILITY: What's your dream about? You look so upset.
GABBY: I...I imagined the guy you were trying to chase with Murasaki's father.
HUMILITY: Oh, him? Heh, we're working on it. Zefarih is going out with Shika to get more men, so don't worry. That 'guy' will be taken care of soon. We'll do our best to keep you safe this time. Sorry for failing you...I can't blame you for feeling unsafe but...as long as we're still standing, we'll risk our lives to protect you.
Gabby felt touched.
While Red was plain sad.
Gabby was affected very badly that night. Staying with her, could easily make her one of the targets.
Is it really him protecting her, or...is it him giving her more troubles?
GABBY: Red? Are you okay?
Red smiles softly, not wanting to worry her more.
RED: I'm fine.
GABBY: You're not.
DELTHA: Yeah, you're obviously not. Just tell the lil' girl you like her and get this late drama over with.
RED/GABBY: Uh..that's not it!
Both then turned beat red.
Humility felt like dying of how much he wanted to laugh right there and then.
He almost forgot that he was about to convince his friend to leave her.
Upon remembering it, he hesitates on whether he should tell him later or perhaps tomorrow, since Gabby's hands were clinging tightly on Red's green sweater.
HUMILITY: Hey, Red.
RED: Hm?
HUMILITY: Guess I'd chat for ol' Deltha for now. Keep Gabby company for now, okay?
Red's cheeks turned even redder.
RED: Eh??!! (On the same room??? At night??? With her wearing that thin flimsy night gown???!!!)
HUMILITY: Don't act like you haven't been dreaming of this opportunity, little Red.
RED: Shut up!!! I was gonna say 'yes,' anyways. I was just...shocked that...you...
HUMILITY: I?
RED: Argh, forget it!
HUMILITY: You're so silly, you've lived with Gabby's apartment for so long. Don't act so shy and flustered now.
Humility winks at him then leaves. Deltha even gave them a knowing smile while waving at him teasingly.
DELTHA: Enjoy then, young love birds~~
RED: Shut up, you guys are freaking her out.
Gabby however, just simply don't mind. To be honest, she feels proud that they were somehow acknowledging their obvious liking to one another.
GABBY: You're...actually the one freaking out.
Red's gaze turned towards her.
RED: Eh??!
GABBY: Calm down, I...I don't mind them teasing.
RED: Ugh, and as for you. For goodness sake you're 20. Your body is already well developed. And you have guys at your apartment for most of the time. That Murasaki, and that...flirty Hoshi, not to mention us and Deltha...we're...we're all guys.
GABBY: But I'm only dressing like this when I'm sleeping. I didn't expect to have some nightmares.
RED: Ugh, I just...don't want those guys seeing you like this. Look how big your chest is!
GABBY: Ah...Ah?!
His words suddenly strucked him.
RED: Ah, I...I didn't mean it like that! I wasn't staring or anything! Please don't think of it the wrong way.
GABBY: Hahah, don't worry, I'm cool with it. But...my, my, you sure are overprotective.
RED: I mean, I...I should be!
GABBY: Whatever you say. So...by the way, are you just gonna watch me sleep?
RED: Uh, yes?
GABBY: Oh...well, gotta change my upper body clothes then.
Gabby walks out from her bed, going to the opposite direction to pull out a shirt from her cabinet.
Red tried his best not to look at her.
GABBY: What are you doing? I'm not gonna get naked. I'm putting this on top of my night gown, how silly you are!
RED: Just making sure!
GABBY: You're so cute when flustered, you know!
RED: Ah, quiet you! Just go back to sleep, damn it!