The dead were scattered for miles all about the dying fields.
Famine was evident in the landscape.
He turned in every direction attempting to discern where he was when he noticed a figure stalking toward him in the distance. His first instinct was fear, but he quickly reminded himself that this was a dream.
“No one can hurt you in a dream,” he mumbled under his breath.
With that knowledge at the forefront of his mind, Brooks walked to meet the approaching figure head on.
It wasn’t long before he could make out some of the features. Dread soured his gut. The nightmare that stood at the foot of his bed all those weeks ago walked toward him with menacing determination.
Brooks took a few more steps before stopping. Everyone knew the best tactic in battle was defense.
Or was it the other way around?
His nightmare approached swiftly and in the blink of an eye was toe-to-toe with it.
They stared at each other for long moments before Brooks swallowed and managed a weak, “Who are you?”
His nightmare with blazing blue eyes replied, “I think you know who I am.”
Black ink wriggled up the nightmare’s veins just like they had in his dream with his Siren.
Xia.
She’d spoken her name aloud and something inside clicked into place. Why a name made her feel more real, he would never understand. With every step he took into denial, she pulled him two paces forward into acceptance.
What if…
What if she was real?
That would mean he was not schizophrenic.
If he wasn’t schizophrenic, then he didn’t belong in the asylum.
“Her name is like honey on our tongues,” the demon spoke.
Brooks fell back to reality and startled.
“I didn’t say her name out loud,” Brooks said hesitantly.
“You didn’t need to. I was there. I amalwaysthere.”
“Are you spying on me?”
”Iamyou.”
“I don’t understand what’s happening to me.” Brooks placed his hands over his eyes and tried to rub them until he fell back to reality.
“Look around you. Pandora’s box has been opened. Pestilence, war, famine and death have taken control of the Earth and they will soon spread to Olympus. They have spread to your illusion. We can contain the carnage. No one else.”
“Why me?”
“Not you.We.”
“Fine, why us?”
“Because we are the darkness from which Chaos is born.”
