Masks Lie and Nightmares Never Die

/

In a forest away from the noise from the city…two figures one male who seems to be in his twenties and a young girl walk down a path like they have many times before, conversing about a certain problem in their life.

“Mother? Do you know why your parent’s can’t see me?” spoke the tall male figure.

“Desmond I don’t know why mom and dad can’t see you. It’s as much a mystery to me as to you,” responded the young girl.

“That’s unfortunate; I would love to talk to them face to face.”

“Desmond, please don’t be sad. We will find a way for my mom and dad to see you.”

“That will be the day,” Desmond said with a hint of sadness.

“Aww… let’s not worry about that right now. Look!” the young girl said as she pointed to a bird perched above them, “It’s a robin!”

Desmond looked at the bird with interest. Though, moments later the bird looked back in his direction surprising him, “Mother did you see that? It can see me! The robin can see me!” he said in excitement.

“I noticed, and look it’s flying towards you!” True to what she said the robin flew towards Desmond and perched itself on his hat.

“Whoa! Ha ha ha! Looks like I made a new friend,” Desmond said as he took off his hat to see the bird, “Hello there little one I see you taken an interest in my hat,” The bird chirped in confirmation, “Well you don’t suppose I can have it back now?” he asked kindly. However, the bird shook its head in response to the question, “Oh? Why not?” Desmond asked while unaware that his mother is doing her best to avoid bursting into laughter. The bird chirped in sequence while moving its wings to help better explain what it’s trying to say. “Oh? You’re saying that you need my hat in order to attract mates?” The bird chirped in confirmation, “Oh my…I’m afraid to tell you this, my little friend, but this hat is too big for you,” Desmond said, causing the bird to droop in disappointment, “…However, if you give me back my hat I promise to make you one to fit your size,” The bird pondered for a moment before nodding it’s head and flying off the hat only to perch itself on Desmond’s shoulder, “Well I suppose that’s a better place to be for now, but since you gave back my hat I believe it’s my turn to live up to my promise,” True to his word Desmond gather materials from the forest around him grabbing a twig, a pebble, a flower, and a small pile of dirt. Desmond’s mother and the bird became confused with the materials he gather only to be surprised when he placed the materials inside his hat and shook it around causing a strange glow of light to emanate from where he placed the items. When the light faded, Desmond reached into the hat only to pull out a small version of his top hat embroider with a small jewel placed in the center of a flower, “Here you go my little feather friend,” he said with a smile as placed the small top hat on the bird’s head. The bird chirped in excitement as if it’s trying to say thanks, “Ha ha you’re welcome. I’m sure now you won’t have a problem finding mates now,” The bird gave one more chirp of thanks before taking off leaving Desmond and his mother by themselves once again, “Well…aren’t we eager?”

“Desmond how did you do that?!” his mother exclaimed in astonishment.

“Honestly mother, I’m not one hundred percent how it works, but I discovered I can create things by placing materials or objects in my hat.”

“Whoa, that’s cool!”

“But wait there’s more! I also learned that this trick can make old objects look brand new!” To prove his claim the man pulled out a rusted out coin and tossed it into his hat. Again a light came out of the hat and once it faded away he took out he coin and it was all shiny and clean.

“Desmond that’s amazing!”

“I know right?”

“You think you might have more secret powers then those?” she asked.

“I cannot say for sure, but I can say it’s a possibility. You did create me after all.”

“Yeah the possibilities,” Desmond’s mother trailed off as she imagined him using a magical beam that creates cute animals.

However, Desmond himself feeling awkward in the silence spoke, “So uh…mother what we should do now?”

His mother hearing his question snapped out of her daydream, “We should explore the forest some more and see what other animals can see you Desmond.”

Desmond nearly forgetting the fact that something else beside his mother can see him leap at this idea, “That’s an excellent idea! And who knows maybe I can make some clothes for the animals too!”

Desmond’s mother giggled, “Sure why not,” she said with a smile, “I mean I always wanted to see a squirrel in a tuxedo and a rabbit in a dress.”

“Hey…let’s not get ahead of ourselves mother. I mean I’m not sure that’s what they’re going to want when I ask.”

“Well I bet yah five gold pieces that one of them will want a tux and a dress.”

“I’ll gladly take that bet.”

The two continued to walk down the forest path talking and conversing on what the animals might want in turns of clothing before finally laughing together on how ridiculous they must of sounded. Time passed as the two met a variety of forest creatures wanting different types of clothing. Unfortunately, for Desmond’s mother none of them wanted a dress or a tuxedo which in turn made her worried that she might lose the bet she made. However, just before they saw the exit to the forest they heard a cry for help.

“Help, Please anybody help!” pleaded a voice.

“Joseph?” Desmond’s mother said in confusion, “What’s he doing here?”

“Joseph? Mother who is this Joseph?” Desmond asked curiously, but before she could answer his question a terrible roar was heard.

*Roawww!*

Hearing this, cause the duo’s eyes to widen as they recall only one creature in the forest that can make that kind of roar, a bear. Not wasting time the duo made haste through the forest until they reached the source of the pleading and roaring. They ended up in a clearing in the forest only to see a brown bear towering over young anthropomorphic rat with fear written in his eyes.

“Joseph!” shouted Desmond’s mother unwittingly catching the bear’s attention.

*Roawww!*

“Jocelyn run! Go find help!”

“No! I won’t leave you!”

“Don’t be a fool just run!”

“Don’t worry about me. Desmond’s here with me”

“Are you serious?! You’re imaginary friend can’t help in this situation!”

“Just watch him. Desmond find a way to calm the bear!”

“On it!” Desmond responded as he quickly ran up to the bear quickly holding it in place.

Seeing the bear struggle with an invisible force had Joseph dumbfounded, “What the…?! The bear is struggling?! How?!” he exclaimed in confusion.

“How about you stop questioning it and get over here!” she shouted causing Joseph to flinch and quickly scramble to where Jocelyn was standing.

“How are you stopping the bear?!” he asked.

“Not me, it’s my son Desmond.”

“Son?”

“Well he calls me his mother, which isn’t wrong since I did create him, so I felt it would be appropriate to start calling him my son.”

“I find that weird on so many levels.”

“Well it’s the same weird that’s saving your butt right now, so be quiet!”

“Eeek! Yes ma’am,” Joseph said while looking down towards the ground.

While his mother was having mini conversation with Joseph, Desmond was having a conversation himself with the bear, “So…I guessing that young err… rat upset you somehow am I correct?”

*Roaww!*

“I see…”

*Roaw Roaw!*

“Really? That’s what this is about?”

*ROAWWW!!!!*

“Okay okay geez…Look I’ll cut you a deal.”

*Roaw?*

“I can make you a new one just bring me the supplies and you’ll have back good as new.”

*Roaw?*

“I promise. I’ll wait here.”

Once Desmond said that the bear calmed down, when the bear relaxed Desmond let it go, which in turn quickly ran into the forest.

“Whew! Now that the bear is gone we can finally leave,” Joseph said with relief.

“No, we can’t leave yet,” responded Jocelyn, “Desmond made a promise to that bear, so we have to wait for the bear with him.”

“Are you crazy?! That bear tried to kill me and now you suggest we wait for it to come back!?”

Nothing but silence came from Jocelyn as she looked at the last direction where the bear went off. Desmond quickly explained the bear’s situation to her as Joseph tried to get her attention.

“Hey are you listening?!”

“Joseph… Desmond told me you did something to upset that bear. What did you do?” she said in a menacing tone.

“I didn’t do anything! That bear chased after me after I accidently knocked down this weird looking scarecrow thing outside its cave.”

“Scarecrow? Why would a bear have a scarecrow?”

“That’s what I like to know!”

“Well the damage has already been done. Just be glad my son Desmond has the power to fix it. Although, one thing still bothers me”

“What would that be?”

“Why were you in the forest to begin with? I know you Joseph you’re not the type to wander off from the underground considering how my people treat your people.”

“Oh! Uh…well I just saw you walk into the forest by yourself err… I mean with Desmond and I thought well…you wouldn’t mind me coming along.”

Jocelyn mentally smiled at his answer as she already figured out the real reason why he followed her.

Moments later the bear returned with a pile of leaves in its paws and dropped them in front of Desmond, “Is that it?” he asked confused. The bear shook its head in response and turned around to pick up a piece of rope it brought along with the leaves, “Well it looks like I lost a bet,” Desmond muttered under his breath, “Well let’s get started shall we?” he said as he gather the materials into his hat and shook them up. Once the light faded from the hat Desmond reached inside his hat and pulled out a green strap dress with leaf patterns at the edge of the skirt, “And it is done milady,” he said with a respectful bow. The bear simply smiled as a bear can and took the dress in its mouth and ran off into the forest with no intention of returning.

For a few moments there was silence since everyone was still trying to comprehend what just happened, “Ha! You owe five gold now Desmond!”

However, Desmond looked less than enthusiastic when he heard his mother’s voice, “I kinda figured that mother the moment the bear told me she needed a dress.”

“Yeah…about that why would a bear need a dress anyway?” she said, now puzzled by the facts given.

“Actually mother I believe that would be our fault.”

“Really? How so?”

“Well remember we started giving the forest animals clothes for them to wear?”

“Yeah? You’re point?”

“Well the animals now in fashionable clothes decided to throw a ball in a undisclosed part of the forest, and miss bear here wanted to make a dress herself so she can go.”

“Ooohh…so that’s why.”

“However, before she was finish with her dress she told some ruffian crashed into her dress and destroyed all her hard work.”

“Well we have the culprit right where we want him. Isn’t that right Joseph?” Jocelyn said as her eyes focused back to the rat boy.

Joseph on the other hand was still trying to understand the events that happened before his eyes, but there is one thought he managed to voice, “That bear is a girl!?!”

/

The group finally made it to the entrance of the forest while Joseph was filled in on what Jocelyn and Desmond talked about. “So that bear was angry at me for accidently destroying her dress?”

“Pretty much”

“Wow…no one in my family is going to believe that.”

“It does sound crazy doesn’t it?”

“But not as crazy as your ‘son’!” he said with growing excitement, “I mean I first thought you were going crazy when you first told me your imaginary friend Desmond is now your ‘son’, but now I understand he is real, I just can’t see him!”

“Yeah Desmond and I are still trying to figure out why other people can’t see him, but I can.”

Joseph ponder the reasons why, but could only come up with one conclusion, “Uh…maybe because you imagined him? Isn’t that how imaginary friends work?”

“I thought of that actually, but thanks to our walk in the forest that’s not the case.”

“Oh right…Desmond actually talked to the bear and the bear responded to him. Even though I can’t hear anything from your son.”

“But you saw the dress he made right?”

“How can I not? It just appeared out of nowhere to me though.”

“And that’s all the proof I need.”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Joseph, Desmond is able to pull off amazing things that can easily be considered miracles. I believe he is much more than a simple imaginary being.”

“Well…whatever he is we won’t figure it out here, and besides we need to get back to our homes. Our parents will be worried about us…well mostly my parents since my kind is look down upon here.”

“Yeah…I wish it wasn’t this way though. I mean why do my people treat your people like dirt? Aren’t we alike?”

“In some ways we are, but other than talking and walking like humans, our appearance of a rodent keeps us apart. My people are even considered filthy animals that carry diseases ever since that incident that happened fifty years ago.”

“I learned about that in school, but all the books told me it was the Ratcyst’s fault for the Black Death outbreak.”

“Ratcyst? Is that what they are calling us these days?”

“Unforunately.”

“Tch, like it even matters it wasn’t even our fault that the Black Death happened in the first place.”

“Then tell me your people’s side of the story”

“Well…according to the elder who was told by the elder of his generation one of our fellow NOMATS… came home to us complaining that one of the humans sprayed him with a strange liquid at first they thought it just another sign of disrespect, but after a few days passed the same Nomat complained of itchiness all over his body. They had our best doctor check the problem a found fleas all over his body. The doctor came to the conclusion that the liquid he was sprayed with attracted them. As a result the rest of the Nomats decided he should quarantined until it clears out, but after a week has past they found him dead. The scene itself was too gruesome to describe he says, but he does tell me that the black splotches around some areas of his is the tell tale sign of death itself. Eventually others fell ill as well with similar symptoms which resulted in a mass outbreak among our kind. Our living conditions didn’t help either resulting most of the uninfected Nomats to flee our home in order to save themselves. The dead were burned in a fire in hopes that it will stop the infection from leaving the bodies and infecting humans, but they were wrong. Before we knew it the infection made its way to the surface and started to infect the populace above resulting in numerous deaths almost matching our amount of dead.”

“I knew the Black Death was horrible event that left a scar in our city, but I didn’t know your kind was the first to suffer from the outbreak.”

“I just glad I wasn’t born when it happened, but I feel bad for the elder though.”

“Yeah, it must have been horrible to see everyone you know die such a horrible death.”

“Thankfully the cause of Black Death was indentified it was from the fleas whom were infected with it first along with the general sanitation of the city at the time which honestly was pretty crappy, no pun intended.”

“Huh, I didn’t know that maybe that’s why a lot of people I know are neat freaks these days.”

“I think the reason why is because the higher ups didn’t want to let the public know that they were the ones responsible for it in the first place.”

“Wait…are you saying the government was responsible for Black Death?!”

“Partially the Nomats still believe the spraying of one of our brethren was done on purpose, but who would believe a bunch of rat people?”

“I believe you.”

“Thanks, but unless some concrete evidence shows up my people are still consider the perpetrators of the outbreak.”

“Hey maybe Desmond and I can find some evidence.”

“No Joce, please don’t get yourself involved I’m not supposed to get involved either, but I’m hoping that the elder can find a way to clear our names.”

“But what if the elder can’t find a way to clear your names?”

“I don’t know, but please don’t get yourself involved. I heard what happened to humans when they tried to help Nomats…it isn’t pretty.”

With nothing else left to say Joseph left leaving Jocelyn and Desmond with the information he gave them. Desmond looked at his young mother before seeing a spark in her eyes, “Mother I know that look in your eyes you plan on finding evidence anyway aren’t you?”

“Yup.”

“Well can you at least wait until tomorrow?”

“Uh…Yeah I am feeling a bit tired.”

“Good, as your son I worry about you sometimes.”

“Heh, that’s funny, as your mother I should be worried about you sometimes.”

“Ironic isn’t it?”

After having a few fits of laughter from their standings as Mother and Son the duo began walking back to their home to rest for the night.

/

“Ahhhhh!!!” Twilight screamed as she continues to hold onto Fredrick as they flew through the fungal forest at high speeds with the Lord of Nightmares in questions deftly dodging the giant mushrooms.

“I’m pretty sure you saw friend Rainbow Dash fly at speeds similar to this, but never experienced yourself. Am I right?” Fredrick said.

“Wait your going as fast as Rainbow Dash?!?” The mare exclaimed in surprise.

“Well if you want to get technical I’m flying just a tad slower than her by at least ten notches.”

Twilight hearing the word notches immediately found the panic in her system disappear and replaced with confusion, “Notches? Is that how you describe your airspeed?”

“Well…it’s the best way to say it without confusing myself.”

“So basically you use notches; the word. To describe that the velocity you’re going is ten less than Rainbows fastest restricted speed,” Twilight said with a slight scientific tone in her voice.

“Uhh…yeah let’s go with that,” After few more moments of dodging giant mushrooms Fredrick finally exited the forest showing a change in scenery that caught Twilight’s eye.

What she saw was rows upon rows of flowers of different families with some she could easily recognized such as the rose, violet, and sunflower. But as Fredrick flew closer to the flowers she discovered that there are flowers she haven’t even seen before with unique colors that are quite eye catching with some sporting a black and green color, and another with a bluish white flower with strange dark green patterns on the petals. Fredrick smiled behind his mask knowing that he once again provoked Twilight’s curiosity, “Heh…is there something that caught your interest my dear?” Fredrick asked in gentlemanly tone.

“Actually yes, but it can wait for now.”

“Whatever you say my dear.”

“Quick question, how much farther until we reach the memorial?”

“It shouldn’t be much longer my dear, and if my timing is right my mentor should be maintaining it as we speak. Not many nightmares come to see him you know? Matter of fact he can pretty hard to track down.”

“Yikes you make him sound like a recluse. Is he really that hard to track down?”

“Not really he’s actually quite open to visitors”

“Then why only a few nightmares manage to find him?”

“Remember the maze and the forest we just recently flow through?”

“Oh…right that makes sense.”

“Yeah not many have the patience to wander through maze or the forest to meet with him especially since the only way back is through the forest and maze again after walking through this flower acres or the harvest acres.”

“It does seem like a whole lot trouble to go through.”

“But my mentor does know all that needs to be known in this world and the dream world especially its history, so I guess it’s worth it in a way.”

“And you nightmares do have all the time in the world, so aging isn’t really a problem.”

“Exactly which in case point patience is the key skill in order to find my mentor…well except if you’re doing what I’m doing then that’s considered cheating, but since you’re with me there isn’t really a problem with it.”

“That’s good to know…I think.”

“Hey when you’re the Lord of Nightmares not many nightmares are going to question your motives for your actions.”

“Isn’t that abuse of power?”

“Not really since many nightmares knows the connection between me and my mentor, and many decisions I made for the nightmare race so far has been beneficial for them. And…I could go on explaining all of this, but we are closing in to our destination and I need to slow down.”

True to what he said Twilight could barely make out a statue in the distance as she felt Fredrick slow down his speed in order avoid the dangers of a sudden stop at high speeds. As they got closer to the statue which she assumes is the memorial. She saw that the statue shows one figure which happens to be Desmond giving a piggy-back ride to a smaller figure that Twilight guessed is supposed to be Jocelyn, “They look so happy together. I wonder what happened to them after the civil war?” she pondered to herself. However, before she could think of any possibilities she was snapped out of her thoughts when she felt Fredrick descending towards the ground slowly. It wasn’t long until they reached the ground. Once Fredrick was a fair distance from the ground he retracted his wings causing them to disappear the same way they appeared. With a little thud Fredrick touched down on the dirt road and as soon as he landed he gently placed Twilight on her feet.

“There you go my dear, and thank you for flying with air nightmare I hope you’re satisfied with my performance,” he said with a respectful bow earning a small giggle from Twilight, “Okay enough fun, the memorial should be just down this road, but of course you don’t need me to tell you that since you can see it in the distance already.”

Twilight looked in the direction of the memorial and noticed that it is much taller when she first saw it in the air, but as she looked closely she saw there is a small house near the memorial. She guessed that’s where Fredrick’s mentor stays ever since he gave the title of Nightmare Lord to him.

“Well that’s enough admiration from a distance I say we’ll have a better look at it when we’re next to it,” Fredrick said as he started to walk down the road prompting Twilight to follow him.

However, it wasn’t after a few steps when she suddenly felt the air around her go cold causing her to shiver. Fredrick noticed this and gave another hidden smile, “Ah Paranoia I was wondering when you’ll show up. Do have our guest’s bag?”

“Yes milord I have procured the bag you have asked for,” The nightmare responded.

“Good now give the bag to back to its owner,” Fredrick said pointing to Twilight. Paranoia in response turned to face Twilight and opened up a small portal. Paranoia then reached into the portal and pulled out Twilight’s bag and handed it over to her.

Twilight grabbed hold of the bag as it was dropped into her arms. Once she had secured over her shoulder she looked at Paranoia who did nothing but bow and turned to face Fredrick again, “Is there anything else you need milord?”

“Actually yes send out your son Umbra to pick up the remaining guests, and while he’s doing that I want you to prepare the other guest rooms for our soon to be new arrivals. Okay?”

“It shall be done.”

Shortly after saying that Paranoia melted back into the shadows taking the cold atmosphere he brought along with him.

Twilight raised a brow when she heard that new guests will be coming and decided to ask Fredrick about it, “Uh Fredrick? I like to know who are these new ‘guests’ you told Paranoia to send Umbra for”

“You shouldn’t worry about that my dear. Well…at least not now, but once the other guests have arrived I promise I will explain in full to you my reasons for bringing said guests here. However, for now let’s focus on getting some answers okay?”

“Well at least you promised an explanation so I will let that question go for now, but remember Fredrick I need to know what’s going on or else I won’t help you.”

The nightmare sighed, “I know Twilight, but have faith in me. My actions are questionable at best, but trust in my words when I say I do it with the best intentions.”

“Okay, but it’s hard to trust someone like you if keep up all this cryptic mystery around you.”

“A nightmare is what a nightmare does my dear. Everything will be revealed in time, and besides my hospitality I did not do much to warrant your trust, so you have every reason to distrust me. However, I assure you I’m not as bad as you think.”

“I see that, but you have done a lot of questionable things just to get me here in order to help you to find that star. This is an uneasy alliance at best you know.”

“I am aware.”

“I’m glad we’re on the same page.”

“Still Twilight, I have my reasons for the things I do. I already told you the main important reason why I whisked you away, but did you know there is more to my challenges then you currently know.”

“How so?”

“You see Twilight, a nightmare’s purpose is to challenge the fortitude of would be heroes. We subject those who fear us to these various horrific conditions so they may leave stronger should they succeed.”

“I never thought of that, but it makes sense. So you were testing us in order to make us stronger, but that didn’t happen. Instead some of my friends got hurt, numerous royal guards got hurt, and even I got hurt through your challenges. We left your challenges not stronger, but hurt mildly mentally scarred.”

“That’s because you and your friends failed. It’s a disappointing result as I was hoping that one of you might break past their limits to rise to the challenge, but it would seem that expectation didn’t happen.”

“Break our limits? What do you mean by that?”

“I’ll explain it when we meet up with my mentor. He can clear up any questions that involve our race.”

“Good to know, there is so many questions buzzing in my mind right now.”

“Heh, with us nightmares there is nothing but questions. However, no matter how far you dig you’ll just end up with more questions, heh heh heh ha ha ha ha!”

Twilight gave Fredrick a confused look as he broke out into sudden laughter. It was spontaneous, random, and frankly the mare was simply perplexed, “Uh…okay? Is this some sort of inside joke you nightmares like to share? Because I fail what’s so funny here,” Twilight continue to observe the laughing nightmare as he stopped walking and began to search around his body for something.

“Ha ha ha ha, no! Ha ha ha, where, ha ha, is it?”

Twilight picked up the voice of desperation among the laughter and immediately knew something was wrong, “Fredrick? What’s going on?” In response the nightmare looked at her and to her surprise she saw his normally slow color shifting eye was rapidly changing color.

“Twi-Ha ha ha ha-light! Run!”

She was alarmed by this sudden of events, but didn’t hesitate on running as she made a break for the cottage ahead. As much as she wanted to help Fredrick herself she knew next to nothing how to help him with his condition, but maybe his mentor could help.

“Ha ha ha ha…little girl little girl why are you running?”

A disturbing voice echoed behind her and in turn caused her to run faster, however, it wasn’t enough as Fredrick suddenly appeared in front of her in a cloud of smoke as a glowing red eye stared back at her. The nightmare lord walked out of the smoke cloud, but Twilight could feel that something in him has changed, “F-Fredrick?” The nightmare laughed as he raised his hand and made a ‘no’ motion with his finger.

“Fredrick ain’t home right now little girl, just me and can I just say, what beautiful eyes you have?”

Twilight felt her hair stand on end as the nightmare took slow steps towards her. She attempted to charge her magic for self defense, but quickly realized that she was unable to. Fredrick’s mana block was still in effect, “Stay back…whoever you are.”

“Ah ha ha ha!!! That ain’t happening, do you know how much I waited for a moment like this? To be free again? To spread Terror? I want to enjoy whatever amount of time I have before old Fredrick takes control again. Besides, I want your eyes and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

The nightmare unlocked the lock on Fredrick’s cane and revealed a long blade hidden within it. Twilight stared in surprise as the nightmare gave off a wicked laugh before coating the blade in dark energy and released it in a slash motion.

Twilight gave a panicked cry as she jumped out of the way to dodge the incoming blade strike. However, the nightmare was already upon her as she felt a foot step on her back before flipping her over and forcing her to come face to face with him.

“Man, this body sure is powerful. In no time at all I already have you where I want you.”

Twilight struggled against the nightmare’s pin, but he proved to be too strong and he laughed at her futile efforts to escape, “Fredrick! Fight it!”

“Oh he’s fighting little girl, but it’s not just me. There are many nightmares in this body that want a piece of him. Trust me; he ain’t going to make it in time to save you.”

The nightmare’s words didn’t stop Twilight from calling Fredrick’s name again, but this time something happened. From the eyehole of his mask, blood began to leak out. Which made it look like the mask was crying. This surprisingly angered the nightmare in control of Fredrick’s body as his free hand slammed onto her throat and began to choke her out.

“Oh no! I’m not leaving yet! Not until you’re dead!”

Twilight struggled more, but soon found herself losing strength and consciousness as she was unable to breathe. To make things worse, the nightmare pulled out a dagger.

“As I remove the light from your eyes remember my voice as it will be the last thing you hear as you die!”

The last of her strength faded away as the nightmare said this and just before she lost consciousness she swear she saw a hooded figure right behind the nightmare that was going to gouge her eyes out.

/