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: You're safe now, sir. I'm here to help... Just take my hand and come with me. (Toby extended his hand, a warm smile now on his face)
Little Fred doesn't take the hand. He just keeps crying, whispering "Help me" over and over again.
"No, no, no! You have to get out of here, Toby. It's not safe!" (Older Fred yelled from within, his warnings unheard)... Damn it, I have to find a way to warn him. I can't let him get hurt! This is my burden, my trauma. Only I should have to bare it! (Fred bellowed in anger, furious at his own powerlessness)... Toby, you have to hear me! It's dangerous here. If you get hurt, it affects you in the real world! Hear me!!! (The older Fred screamed at the top of his lungs, but no sound left lips of his younger self, so Toby heard none of it)
Toby Robinson: Should I carry you? (Toby asked)
[Warning: You Are In The Presence Of A Dangerous Nightmare Being, A Wraith]
[Be Wary]
Toby quickly turned back, catching sight of a dark figure approaching the room door. And the moment it stepped through, he finally Saw the Wraith.
Toby Robinson: There you are. (Toby said determinately, keeping a wary eye on the humanoid monster)
[Name: Abusive Dad]
[Race: Humanoid Type Nightmare Being]
[Level: Normal Grade Nightmare Being]
[Skills: Powered By Fear]
Toby Robinson: I've got this! Tamed Summoning, summon Prince Charming, Noble and Browny! (Toby commanded in a confident tone, thrusting his hands forward)
[Tamed Summoning Failed]
[Corruption Energy Interference]
Toby Robinson: Oh, yeah. I forgot about that. (Toby realized, suddenly feeling a little foolish)
[New Quest Received: Survive Your First Encounter With a Wraith]
[Quest Reward: Level Up And More]
[Quest Penalty: Possible Corruption, Certain Death]
Wraith: Why do you do it, Freddy? Why do you make me want to hurt you?!" (The nightmare roared, its booming voice shaking the furniture around them)
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Dad! Please forgive me!" (Little Freddy pleaded, staring at the monster that was clearly not his real father)
Wraith: Oh, you're gonna be sorry... Once I'm done with you." (The nightmare growled, removing a strap shrouded in shadows from its waist, stepping forward slowly)
Toby Robinson: Funny... It's so funny that you actually think, you're about to do something with that. (Toby said in anger, his eyes brimming with dream energy)... I swear... I won't let him hurt a hair on your head. (Toby assured the boy)
The monster lunged forward, moving faster than the average eyes could track. But Toby's eyes were special, already charged with dream energy, and his favourite word slipped quickly from his lips.
"Dream Beam!!!" (Toby bellowed, blasting the monster in the chest with the beams of dream energy, launching it straight through the ceiling and out of the house)
Witnessing the awesome power of the attack, a look of astonishment spreads across young and old Fred Clover, their minds merging into one. For the first time since this nightmare began, he can finally express himself.
Fred Clover: What did you just do? (He asked in shock, his form slowly reverting back into that of an adult)
Toby Robinson: Did I just blow up the ceiling... Or did I just blow your mind? (He joked, turning back with a grin as his eyes continued to glow with dream energy)
[-13 Dream Points]
[Dream Bank: 4824 Dream Points]
Next: How Strong Is A Wraith?