| The Other Side |
| Sarai felt her heart grow heavy as she walked further away from the other girls. She still wasn't able to call them friends. She doubted she would ever be able to call anyone a friend. Just the same, they were the closest thing she had. They were her responsibility, and she took it well. In ways, she was the best and worst possible choice for a leader. She didn't enjoy power, nor did she seek after power. She did, however, hold herself responsible for every little thing that went wrong. She would let guilt and worry her more than was healthy. The effects of this were already starting to show. Not that anyone would notice, but dark circles were starting to form around her young eyes. Derek was behing her, talking to his young brother, trying to encourage him as they walked. "Why can't we just teleport there?" Timmy asked sadly, his small feet unaccustomed to all this walking. "Because we don't know where we're going. Don't worry. We'll stop soon. Then you can rest for a little while." "Will the monsters come back?" "No. They won't. If they ever do, you just let me know and I'll make them go away," Derek said kindly. Sarai felt anger within her soul. What kind of evil jerk used his own brother to gain power. And someone so young. "Can we stop now?" Timmy asked. Derek looked up at Sarai. He knew she was the one to ask. She was trying to move as quickly as possible. She stopped and turned. "I suppose so. Why don't you rest and your big brother and I will figure out where we want to go? That sound good?" "Uh huh," the boy said happily. He sat down where he stood, landing with a plop in the long grass along side the road. Derek and Sarai moved out of hearing distance, noticing he was thankfully out of sight among the grass. "Just what are we looking for?" Sarai asked rudely, sounding more like Avana than her usual self. "I could tell Timmy was a source because he felt...right. I don't know how to explain it. I'm just following my feelings here," Derek said. "Why don't you rest for a while too? You look tired." He put an arm on her shoulder, looking at her with concern. "Don't touch me," she said pulling away. "Sorry. Geez. Don't throw a fit. I was just trying to help." "Yeah, like you're trying to help your brother?" she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Pardon me?" Derek said, looking confused. "Oh give me a break. 'I'll make them go away?' You probably make them come! You're using your own brother for your own gain. How do you sleep at night?" "Bite me! You know nothing about me or him!" Derek said, his calm exterior suddenly gone. "I started controlling nightmares because I wanted to protect him! If they are out in the real world, then they aren't tormenting him! So you and your high horse can go suck a lemon for all I care!" He stormed off, leaving Sarai dumbfounded. She had never been left speechless before. Throughout her life, she had learned to accept that most people would just disappoint her. She never expected someone to actually have an unselfish reason behind their actions. He was probably just trying to manipulate her again, but...he had seemed so genuinely upset. Eddie lied. Avana lied. Everyone lied. This wasn't any different. Derek was the enemy. Of course he would try to throw her off, but...he was such a different person with his brother, so caring and considerate. Sarai through her arms up in exasperation. "Aiya!" she cried. Derek was out of hearing distance by now, so he didn't even turn. Sarai swallowed her pride and ran after him. "Hey! Derek! Wait up!" she said. He stopped and turned to look at her, his eyes red but dry. He had been crying. This shocked Sarai even more. He was smart enough to know that he would make it more noticeable by trying to hide it. More confusing thoughts. "What?" he asked. Sarai was about to answer, but instead pointed behind Derek. He turned to see a demon-like nightmare flying towards them. It's face was distorted and short like an ancient dragon. Skulls covered it's shoulders and black robes shielded it's body. "Did you do that?" Sarai asked. Derek shook his head. "No, but I can make it go away," he said. He closed his eyes and small white lights, with long white tails began to emerge from his heart. The twisted around his body and then raced together up towards the nightmare. The lights moved into it's ears and the nightmares eyes lit up for a moment then returned to normal. Derek flew backwards into Sarai, and the two toppled to the ground. "Get off!" Sarai said, pushing Derek to the ground. "I can't control it. You'll have to destroy it." "Gee thanks for the help," Sarai said, standing up. She removed her gloves once more and let the black sparks gather around her fingers. The demon was right on top of them and then...it flew up and over her head. Sarai blinked, then took off running after it. "It's after Timmy!" she called back at Derek. Derek's eyes got huge and he was on his feet running after her. There was no way they were fast enough to catch the demon. Sarai took a shot at the demon-nightmare, but it simply moved out of the way. Derek had already passed her on their way. "What do we do?" he asked her. Derek knew Sarai would be the only one who could save his brother now. Sarai thought quickly, once again. Her brain had yet to fail her, and this time would be no different. She had a plan, but it was a desperate plan. "Can you tell if TImmy is asleep?" she said as they ran. The demon had landed and was searching the grass for the child. "Yes, why?" "Is he dreaming?" Sarai asked. To Derek's credit, he caught on. "Are you insane? What if I can't control it?" "Do you have any other ideas?" Sarai asked. Derek had to concede this point to her. He took a deep breath and stopped. Once again the white lights came out of his chest. This time the raced towards the grass. A bright light shone from within the weeds and a beast rose it's head. Drool dripped down as the horned reptile eyed the other nightmare. It leapt without warning and had the demon pinned. The grass shielded the children from seeing the gruesome fight as they ran to grab Timmy. The found him sleeping peaceful, his nightmare gone from his mind. Derek bent down to check the child for any damage. "Derek! It's coming" "Shh! he's trying to sleep!" "Derek!" Sarai said, grabbing his shoulder. "What?" he asked, looking up at her. Her eyes were huge as she stared blankly. Derek saw the nightmare coming towards them. He hadn't told it to do that. "RUN!!" |