Out of the blue, just as Nightmare was about to put its claws on Emma, a book flew in the air and hit her in the head.
"UGH!" She held her forehead in pain.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! GET OUT OF HERE! NOW!" Shouted Rain waking Emma up from her shock. She quickly grabbed her backpack and ran away screaming in fear.
Nightmare turned to face the teacher, then stared at him for a moment. After that, it filled the room with smoke, darkening the place. Suddenly, smoky strings rolled around Rain's legs and arms and chained him to the wall. Then, creepingly, Nightmare crawled towards him fast, jumped up high, and raised its claws in the air, then came back down aiming for the man's neck. He tried his best to escape from the strings but failed to do so.
"AAAH!!" Rain screamed his lungs out as his life flashed before his eyes.
"Stop." With one word, Nightmare froze in place. The whole place went silent, only heavy breathing and deep soft growling roamed around.
"Please, Nightmare. Stop."
As the hung-up man was sweating and shaking, Nightmare's sharp claws almost went through his neck.
"Put him down, Nightmare. Please."
"Why?" His growling voice was filled with rage.
"He's done nothing to deserve this, Nightmare."
"He protected the one who has caused you harm!"
Dina looked at the teacher as he froze in horror.
"That's expected, Nightmare. Because to him, she's the harmed one, while I'm the cause of harm."
Nightmare couldn't go against Dina's commands, however, it remained hesitant. Its protective nature rose high, and the desire for killing emerged as well. That day could've ended badly, but Dina's self-control helped save the situation.
In terror, Rain fixed his eyes on the monster's claws as they slowly backed away from him. Then gently, he was put down and released from his chains.
"Thank you, Nightmare." Dina wiped her tears and turned towards the teacher.
"Are you alright, teacher?"
From the shock, Rain remained silent.
"Ugh!" She sighed heavily then sat down on the floor. After a few seconds of thinking, she called.
"Nightmare."
"Yes, Dina."
"Can you please do that 'thing' again?"
"What 'thing'?"
"You know... that 'thing' from last time. My heart feels tight from all the darkness around us."
"Oh! Of course." Nightmare stood tall and lit up its smoke.
Dina watched as the place went from gloomy and dead to joyful and alive, shining like fireworks and easing her heart, bringing a smile back to her face.
"Is that pleasant enough to you, Dina?" It warmly asked.
"Thank you, Nightmare. This helps a lot."
The young one crossed her legs together and enjoyed the view.
Meanwhile, Rain glanced with widely opened eyes. Fear had consumed him whole. However, a feeling of amazement was awakened as well.
"What on God's earth did I just witness?" In his mind, the man had plenty of questions, yet he couldn't ask anything. He remained quiet for the sake of his safety. After a moment of relaxation, Dina stood up and dusted her clothes off.
"Alright. It's time to go."
"Shall I accompany you to your house?"
Dina looked Nightmare up and down, then chuckled.
"Is that a 'yes'?" The beast leaned down and got closer to Dina's face.
"I fear we'd reach home with your stomach full."
"I don't have a stomach." It wondered.
Dina chuckled more then teasingly asked, "Didn't you say that when you're purpose is fulfilled you disappear?"
"Yes... Uhm... About that..." Nightmare crawled backward, awkwardly looking away.
"Is there something else you haven't informed me about?"
"I... I disappeared before because I knew my presence would bring back your anxiety. So when you were calm I had to leave. But now..."
"But now you sense that I'm at ease with your presence so you decided to stay."
The beast remained silent.
"Thank you, Nightmare. You may leave, I'll walk home alone."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, don't worry."
"Alright, I'll be here if you're in need."
"You sure are, Nightmare. You sure are."
Nightmare vanished, taking away all the smoke and clearing the view.
After everything was back to normal, Dina, with her wet eyes, observed Rain for a moment, looked down, then fell on her knees.
"Oh! God!" He screamed with worry as he ran to her.
"Teacher, don't!" She screamed.
Rain stopped then slowly took a step back.
"My body is very sensitive for the moment. Touching me will cause serious pain, and believe me Nightmare won't be hesitant to slice your neck this time. So please, just stay where you are." She quietly warned.
He froze in place not knowing what to do, and all he could think of was obeying her orders.
As she breathed heavily, trying to bring back her stamina, Rain stood in complete awe, with his fist held tight. After safety was brought back to the place, he had time to process everything. Every time a scenario from earlier appeared in his mind, his eyes glittered.
"I thought this day would never come..." His face surely didn't show anything but confusion, but deep down in his heart, excitement was shining bright.
"After all these years!" The young man was fighting the thoughts and questions that were eager to come out, but only one thing escaped his will.
"I have finally found you!"