Adrian was walking around a dark expanse.It was pitch black, so dark that he could barely see the water around his feet. He knew that he was dreaming but it felt extremely real. The surroundings were extremely silent except for the splashing sounds of the water around his feet. He didn't know why he was walking but he felt compelled to do so. Nothing changed for a while, but then a foreign sound started emanating behind him. He turned around but saw nothing.
Feeling distressed he called out to the sound, "Who's there?"
There was no reply.
He was concerned but he turned around. He kept walking but the sound returned, still behind him. It would stop when he stopped but he could tell that it was getting closer. Now it was close enough that he could hear the heavy breathing, similar to an animal. Adrian started running but it was of no use as the water turned thicker the more he tried to run. The splashing of the footsteps grew closer and closer until it stopped right behind him. Adrian could feel the breathing right behind him. Its hands rested on Adrian's shoulder. He wanted to turn around but was too afraid to look back. His gaze lowered onto the floor and he saw the glowing eyes of the beast looming over his left side reflected by the water. His eyes were trembling as he saw the beast's hand move across his face. Then it all went black.
Edberg was lying on his couch, a bottle of whiskey and a glass half filled with the same on the coffee table, the tv was on with the late night shows running in the background. He wasn't paying much attention to it as he was busy talking with Emily who had just been done with the clean up.
"Have you left?" inquired Edberg.
"Yes we just got done. How is Adrian doing?" Edberg could tell that Emily was exhausted by the events that transpired a few hours ago.
"He is still asleep, the sedatives Haru gave him are still in action, I guess."
There was an awkward silence on the call.
"Look." Edberg said, breaking the silence, "It's about to be 4 am. The sun will be up in a couple of hours. Why don't you come over?" Edberg proposed.
"I don't know what to do." there was a long pause before she spoke again
"Adrian was a good guy. He didn't need to know about this world we live in."
"What has happened has happened. We cannot change it." Edberg knew that Adrians survival all hinged upon the decision made by The Lady, and he didn't like the situation being completely out of his influence.
"I don't know what to tell him once he wakes up, hoping that he wakes up as Adrian and not -"
"He will" Emily cut in before he could finish, "I have faith in Adrian, I know you do too."
"I know but I just can't help it"
"Don't worry. I just got a cab and I'm coming over. We can discuss this when I'm ther-"
"Wait." Edberg was alerted to some sounds of struggling coming from his bedroom. He lowered his TV volume to hear it more clearly.
"I think Adrian woke up." Edberg was unsure whether he should be happy or sad.
"Don't do anything rash, I'm getting there as fast as possible!"
Edberg was up on his feet. He switched the TV off and switched the remote in his hand for the syringe of sedative he had received from Haru. He slowly made his way into the passage and walked towards the room. The sounds of struggling became clearer, enough that Edberg could tell that Adrian was still secure in his bed.
He slowly opened the door, trying to make as little sound as possible. He finally had a good look at Adrian. The sight was horrifying, almost out of a horror movie. His body was arched with his chest almost a foot from the bed. Edberg had not seen anyone's spine bend that much and was astonished at how it hadn't snapped yet. His body slammed back into the bed and arched back up. It was almost like he was trying to break free. Edberg did not waste any time and ran to his side. He held the syringe with his teeth while he tried to grapple Adrian on the bed. With all his weight he forced Adrian on the bed, he took the duct tape on the side table from when he had taped his left arm securely to the bedside. He put two long straps of tape on his chest, securing him to the bed. His left arm was completely immobilized and you could barely see any skin under all the duct tape. Comparatively his right arm and legs were just strapped on to the sides using some belts. After subduing Adrian, Edberg checked if he should sedate him again. Haru had said that it was quite potent and strong and it did last for 5 hours.
'If I overdose Adrian he might die!' he thought but decided to inject him for safety.
As he got close to his neck he saw something peculiar. The bite mark that Adrian had showed him yesterday seemed to have developed some sort of internal clot. Now that he had a good look at it there seemed to be two deeper marks, almost like a snake bite. Edberg slowly pieced together the puzzle.
'It was that bitch, the one at the bar, she is responsible for all this. She isn't going to get off easily.' He had made up his mind but he knew he couldn't do anything currently.
He slowly brought the syringe closer to the neck and was about to penetrate the skin when he was distracted by Adrian's right arm. It seemed that he was walking up. Edberg hurriedly tried to inject him but was stopped by a single word.
"Edberg?"
It was enough to pull Edberg back. The voice of his friend reminded him of a time before. Holding back tears, he looked back towards his friend.
"What is happening? I don't understand anythi-"
He clenched his jaw and let out a cry of pain. His head was throbbing with pain
"Don't move too much. Everything will be explained. Wait for Emily to come home."