He was desperately running through a dark forest, surrounded by strange, glowing masks. It felt like he'd been in this forest before, a long time ago, the same ominous feeling looming in the air.
"You will never escape us,"a strange, grinning mask sneered at him.
"Surrender yourself,"said, a cold, glass mask.
"Is the boy really worth it?"
"In time, he will also fall into our hands."
"Just like the rest of you pitiful beings."
"I'LL NEVER HAND HIM OVER TO YOU!" Arthur screamed, as the forest shattered into pieces.
The silent night was pierced by the sounds of Arthur's gasps echoing through the room. His hand clawed at his chest, as if trying to free something from within. Arthur wanted nothing more than to rip the dream from his mind and throw it into the flames until it was nothing more than a harmless pile of ashes. This same dream had been tormenting for the past few nights. It was a warning, he could feel it. But from whom? Arthur felt sure that he'd seen that forest somewhere before.
He cleared his head and went to check on Alfred, as he always did after these nightmares. Arthur needed to make sure that Alfred was safe and still sleeping peacefully in his room. Lighting a candle, he walked down to Alfred's room. Taking care not to make a sound, he cracked the door open and peered inside. At the sight of Alfred's peaceful sleeping face, he let out a relieved sigh. He'd promised himself to protect the boy ever since he'd first laid eyes on him...Which was when? Arthur couldn't remember. Nor could he remember where. He tried his best to recall the memory, but then...
ACCESS DENIED
The words were a blaring red. 'I must not be sleeping enough,'Arthur tried to tell himself. He closed his eyes, but he could still see the message, clear as day.
'What's going on?' His head started to throb painfully. Arthur stumbled back to his room, willing the headache to go away. "Has this happened before?"the words came without thinking.
A surge of pain came, crashing like a tidal wave. Arthur crumpled to a heap on the floor. Everything faded into night.
"How is he?"a familiar voice said. Arthur struggled to open his eyes.
"It looks like he's about to wake up."
"Then apply another dose of the serum. And make sure to strengthen the barriers on his memories. We can't have this incident occurring every other day." He felt something prick his arm, and he fell unconscious.
Arthur was standing in a large house. He saw a blank white doorand tried to open it. But no matter how hard he pushed the door would not open. "Damn it!"Arthur yelled, frustrated. "You bloody bastards can't do this to me!"
Oh, but we can, and we will. You're our toy, you see.
"Show yourself!"Arthur yelled angrily.
We could, but that wouldn't be any fun, now would it? Maybe one day you'll be able to open that door.
"What's behind that door?"Arthur demanded, even though he was sure he already knew the answer.
Your true memories.
