If all went as expected, that girl's abilities should be key to Jon's plan to kill Freddy. As well as the girl, Nancy, was the linchpin in his audacious plan to end Freddy's reign of terror in this world. Jon's research had led him he was now in the third part of the 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' movie, and Nancy was a key character to accomplish his tasks.
Upon entering the stark, fluorescent-lit lobby, Jon's eyes darted around, searching for someone who could assist him. He approached the reception desk, where a staff member sat engrossed in the glow of their phone screen. "Hello, I'm looking for Miss Nancy!" Jon's voice was firm, edged with the urgency of his quest.
The staff member's eyes flickered up, a glimmer of annoyance crossing his face before he returned to his digital distraction. "Are you a relative of a patient?" he inquired, his voice devoid of interest.
"No." Jon's response was terse, his patience fraying.
The staff member's attention remained tethered to his computer as he muttered, "There are many who want to see Miss Nancy. She's quite popular around town. I suggest you come back after six in the evening. She usually goes out for dinner around that time, and you might get lucky and run into her!"
Jon's brow furrowed, a frown etching itself onto his face. "I'm not here to ask her out!" he clarified, the frustration in his voice rising like a crescendo.
The staff member's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes finally meeting Jon's. "Yeah, I get it. You're not here to ask her out." The sarcasm dripped from each word, a mocking undertone that grated on Jon's nerves.
Jon exhaled sharply, his fists clenching at his sides. "How about this, can you pass on a message for me? I'm here to deal with Freddy," he said, his voice a low growl.
"Freddy? Is he her ex-boyfriend?" The staff member's tone was now laced with impatience, his curiosity piqued but still dismissive.
"Wha…!" Jon's retort was cut short by his disbelief. "Listen, I need to see Nancy. It's important," he implored, the gravity of the situation pressing down on him.
"Six in the afternoon!" came the indifferent reply, the staff member's gaze once again lost to their phone.
Jon's expression darkened, a storm brewing behind his eyes. The insolence of the man before him was infuriating. He was on the brink of unleashing his anger when a new voice sliced through the tension.
"Hey, did you just say you're here to deal with Freddy?" The question came from a middle-aged man dressed in a suit, his demeanor exuding authority.
Jon's temper cooled as he turned to face the newcomer. "Yes, that's right. I need to see Nancy!" he affirmed, his voice steady but insistent.
The man's eyes held a glint of understanding, a silent acknowledgment of the nightmare they all faced. "Follow me," he said, his voice a command that brooked no argument.
***
Jon followed the man through the mental hospital, passing many rooms filled with psychiatric patients—some muttering to themselves, others screaming, some hysterical, and some violently throwing things around.
"A few days ago, we admitted a group of patients!" the middle-aged man explained as he led the way. "They're all children who have been having strange dreams about a man covered in burns chasing them. That man is called Freddy."
"Do you think it's a mental disorder?" Jon asked, raising an eyebrow. By now, he was almost certain that this was the timeline of the third part of this movie series.
"Of course, why else would they be here?!" the middle-aged man said with conviction. "It must be a kind of group psychological disorder, like a mild form of PTSD. The nature of these dreams is nothing more than a byproduct of some guilt, psychological trauma stemming from moral conflicts and suppressed desires."
"If you think so, they'll definitely be in safe hands here ~!" Jon commented sarcastically.
"What did you say?" The middle-aged man turned around, frowning, clearly not understanding Jon's humor.
"Nothing." Jon shrugged. He saw them as fools who will not admit any supernatural activity. Explaining anything to them was pointless.
As long as he could meet Nancy, he could resolve the issue.
"We're here!" the man announced, stopping in front of a room.
Before Jon could enter, he heard shouting from inside.
"No, I don't want to drink this, you must have put sleeping pills in it!" a girl yelled from the bed.
Jon walked in and saw Nancy holding a cup of water, trying to get the girl to drink.
Nancy's voice was a gentle balm as she tried to reassure Jennifer. "Calm down, Jennifer. There's nothing in it, just plain water. You haven't eaten or drunk anything all day, and that's not good!" Her words were measured, her experience with this kind of terror evident in her steady tone.
Jennifer's response was a mixture of desperation and defiance. "You put sleeping pills in everything you give me. I'd rather die than eat your food. You don't understand, falling asleep is worse than death!" Her voice cracked, the edges of her sanity fraying with each mention of sleep.
Jon's heart clenched at the raw fear in Jennifer's voice, a fear he knew all too well. He stepped into the room, his presence drawing the attention of both Nancy and Jennifer.
"I understand, Jennifer! I've dreamed of him before too!" Nancy's admission was a whisper of solidarity, a shared understanding that bridged the gap between caregiver and patient.
"Save it, I've heard that line from other doctors many times before. I won't be fooled!" Jennifer continued to struggle.
Seeing no other way, Nancy put the cup down and sighed.
At that moment, the middle-aged man approached and introduced Jon to Nancy, "Miss Nancy, Mr. Jon Vinson asked to meet you. Claming that he's here to deal with Freddy."
Nancy was taken aback and then stood up to shake hands with Jon, "Hello, Mr. Jon Vinson!"
"Just call me Jon" Jon said smiling while shaking hands.
Nancy was indeed a very pretty girl, no wonder the receptionist had assumed Jon was there to hit on her.
Jon glanced at the middle-aged man and then said, "I would like to have a private conversation with Miss Nancy here, if that's okay?"
"Of course!" The man agreed and then left.
After the man left, Nancy poured another cup of water and handed it to Jon, then said, "Jon, as you just saw, because of that nightmare, the children refuse to sleep no matter what!"
"Do you think it's just a dream?" Jon asked directly.
Nancy paused, then said, "Are you..."
"Freddy is real, and I think you know this better than anyone else here." Jon stated.
At that moment, Jennifer, who was lying on the bed, scoffed, "Heh, the act starts now!"
Clearly, she thought this was a ploy by the hospital to lower her guard.
Nancy looked helplessly at Jennifer and then back at Jon, her eyes carrying a hint of the same question, "Jon, may I ask who you are..."
Jon smiled slightly and then said, "My profession is an exorcist. I've come to Elm Street with the purpose of punishing Freddy!"
Jennifer continued her sarcasm, "If you guys weren't so stingy, hiring a professional actor would have made a more convincing story!"
This time, Nancy ignored Jennifer. When she heard the words 'exorcist,' a glimmer of hope rose in her heart, and she asked with a dazed look, "How can I believe you?"
Jon didn't speak but opened his palm. After a moment, a flame slowly rose in the center of his hand.
Nancy's eyes were wide, reflecting the flickering flame that danced in Jon's palm. The room, once filled with the sterile chill of disbelief, now seemed to hum with the warmth of possibility.
Even Jennifer, who had always suspected that this was a trick by the hospital to make her let her guard down, but now, seeing Jon demonstrate supernatural abilities, she had no choice but to believe.
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