Chapter 2: I'm Not Making It Up!

'Like you… we um' Dean faltered and Helen nudged Sam, but he seemed to have gone silent. So much for being the voice of the team, huh?

They had never really had to explain what they did to anyone, for various reasons. The three lived the lives of other people, with fake IDs, and they helped those in trouble, never needing to reveal their past. Dean coughed, and resumed talking.

'We deal in the Supernatural' he said simply and the girl Ariadne, frowned.

'Supernatural? As in ghosts and spirits?' she asked.

'Yeah. Ghosts, demons, you name we've fought it' Dean said and Sam and Helen nodded along with Dean.

The Dream Team seemed to have gone a bit quiet. Mr Cobb, for example, appeared to be trying to work out if Dean was lying or not. Eames had come back, intrigued by the talk, but didn't say anything.

'You're saying all the creatures you hear about in stories exist?' Arthur asked and Sam spoke before Dean could open his mouth.

'Yes. I know it's hard to believe but we've seen stuff fit for good horror movies'

'A few months ago we confronted a set of vampires, just north of Massachusetts' Helen said and it worried her slightly at how easily she was able to say that. It was about as easy as talking of buying a new CD.

'You work with stuff inside people's heads, we work with the stuff that's out there' Dean said. There was a silence.

'Well, you're definitely one of the most interesting set of clients' Ariadne said in a laugh and Helen couldn't help but laugh at how silly it sounded. They were in a room with people who worked in a field nobody believed in or knew about. Where had Helen heard that one before?

'So these nightmares are a product of the work you do' Mr Cobb said slowly, evenly.

'Pretty much' Helen said, and eyed the case (PASIV?) behind Mr Cobb.

'Why don't we hook you up, and see what we're dealing with? Arthur will set up'

Helen swallowed and rubbed her forearm, feeling her skin get sensitive. She nodded and Arthur motioned for her to get up and go over to him. She sat down on an artsy-looking chaise longue. He opened the case.

'Hold out your arm for me' he asked and she did what she was told, her heart hammering a bit. Hell, this was surreal. She heard Mr Cobb begin to talk to Dean and Sam but it was in a lowered voice. She strained, but it was useless. Arthur dabbed her forearm, an inch before the crook for the elbow, with surgical spirit.

'Relax' he said more softly and she breathed deeply. She felt her heart slow slightly, as he slipped the needle in her arm. She cringed. It felt alien (ha-ha) under her skin, but she got used to it as her body settled. She smiled at Arthur, telling him she was fine. She received a small smile in return. 'Dom' he called and Mr Cobb turned and walked over. Dean and Sam came forward, looking more intently at the equipment. Mr Cobb put himself in the chair next to her. It was almost like being in a therapist's office. Dean was leaning against one of the scaffolding pillars.

'Arthur, set us up for five minutes' Mr Cobb said, sliding the needle under his own skin with a practised ease, which calmed her, but also made her realise that she was not the only one who had got used to a world that no one else knew. Arthur fiddled with the dials.

'Five minutes?' Dean asked, a slight frown on his face in confusion.

'The brain works faster when you're asleep, so time appears slower. Five minutes gives you an hour in the dream' Mr Cobb stated to all three parties. 'Ready?' he asked Helen who looked at the needle, then at Dean and Sam, then at Mr Cobb.

'Yep' she shifted to get comfy. Arthur pressed something on the case and Helen could feel the drug flow into her system.

'Have fun. Don't do anything I wouldn't do' Dean said with a smirk, but there was concern etched in his face. She smiled and closed her eyes.

She opened her eyes and found herself standing in the middle of a street, which looked very symmetrical. There was a feel to it, the light breeze, and the buzz of people. She turned and Mr Cobb stood by her, watching her reaction.

'This is strange. I remember a bit about Dream Analysis from school, is this my dream?' Helen asked and shifted the gravel under her foot. It came apart like it would in the real world.

'Yes, you're the subject. You gave me the basic layout and I designed it from there; the world around you is built by me essentially'

'You're like an architect, except it's all in people's heads?' Helen asked, and began to wander around. The cars zoomed past and they walked along the street.

'Exactly'

'So who are these people? You never have a stranger in your dream, right?'

'They're called projections. And you're right. They'll be people you pass in your peripheral vision that your brain stores, but doesn't think are that important. They're yours and they're ignoring you and me, like people do in reality'

'Okay. How are you going to stop my nightmares?' Helen asked and Mr Cobb stopped.

'I don't see anything bad at the moment'

'I'm not making it up!' she said defensively, and rather loudly. A few of the projections stopped and looked around. 'What happened?' she asked in a quieter voice. The world had taken on a tenser atmosphere.

'I never said you were. Your projections have sensed something that you don't like'

'So, what, they just stop like in a video game?' she asked and viewed the world. The projections began to move again, and the chattering buzz continued.

'If someone gets really uncomfortable with what's happening then the projections will start to attack'

'And what happens then?'

'In this case the projections will go for me first since I'm the one creating the world and you are the subject. But the projections become rogue and, once the invader is taken out, you will be too'

'A way of getting you away from a phobia you don't want to confront?' she asked and Mr Cobb smiled.

'Correct. You're quick at catching on' he commented and Helen laughed.

'Well, working with those two, you have to have an open mind' she said and Mr Cobb sat down on the bench by the sidewalk. She sat next to him, and felt an urge of déjà vu from when she was talking to Sam.

'How did you get involved in the work that you do?' he asked, his curiosity obvious.

'Funnily enough it's one of those hero moments. Dean and Sam saved seven other people and me from a demon that began hurting and killing people' Helen shuddered when thinking about it.

'So you left your life? A bit of a strong change isn't it?'

'Maybe, but I enjoy it'

'Could you explain to me, your emotions when you have these nightmares?'

'I feel… scared. But then I also feel guarded, like I know something can protect me. It's… I don't know' Helen was at a loss at how to explain, her voice dipped and she tucked a strand of hair behind her hair. She looked around once again. The architecture began to melt and changed. The buildings twisted into low rise houses, more like the ones she was used to. The projections looked around at the new surroundings with her. 'What are you doing?' she asked, getting up.

'Just testing something out. Are you alright?' Mr Cobb asked and she swallowed, nodding.

'Yeah. That just looks a bit like the place I used to stay at when I was studying' she pointed to the house over the road. Something made her turn, it was the creep of a shiver on her skin. Something was not right. She couldn't pin point it. She spun about suddenly. Then the feeling disappeared and she felt incredibly stupid.

'Are you sure you are okay?' and when Helen nodded, Cobb asked 'What were you studying?' That was a different question.

'Oh, I did a course in Criminal Law' and a smirk grew on Mr Cobb's mouth. 'I know, ironic isn't it? But I didn't know the kind of world which I could have, existed'

'Life is about opportunities. Where do you think you would be if you weren't with Sam and Dean?' he asked and Helen noticed a park where children were playing happily.

'Probably unemployed' she laughed and crossed the road, checking the cars before she did. Just like in reality a car stopped and let her pass.

'What about your family?' Mr Cobb asked and Helen analysed the railings, before putting one hand on the top and jumping over. Turning she watched at Mr Cobb took the gate that appeared. 'Too old' he stated. Helen grinned.

'Not really Mr Cobb'

'Flattery doesn't get anywhere with me. And if you call me anything, it's Cobb' and Helen made a note in her head to remember that. Cobb was looking expectantly at her. Oh, the question.

'Family? They're okay. I think…' Helen shrugged.

'It doesn't bother you then?'

'Not really. Sounds horrible, I know. If you're thinking that's the problem, then you're wrong' she sat on one of the swings that had been recently vacated by a small child.

'I'm just asking basic questions. We're just getting started. How does the world feel to you, will you be happy with this?'

'Yeah, I think so. It's very… weird. Like the feel and look is so real'

'Well that's good. I wouldn't want you to be uncomfortable, it is therapy after all' Cobb said, and he sat on one of the swings next to Helen. 'How many…. Creatures… have you killed?' Helen had to smirk at his wording.

'I guess quite a few. I lost count, it's not a nice thing to think about…' she trailed off. Seeing a projection, who caught her eye, in the midst of the others. The hair looked familiar… all dark and short but a bit floppy like Sam's. Huh.

'Can I ask a question?' she asked, trying to follow the projection with her eyes. Nope. He disappeared. Cobb nodded his swing swinging as he rocked his heels.

'Is it possible for you to have people, you know in your dreams, like friends, as projections?' she asked. Wondering, why she thought she saw Sam and if she did why didn't she see…

'The subconscious is tricky. The projections are access to your deeper thoughts, wants, desires anything. So, they can take on a friend's appearance, if the feeling is related to them'

The swing creaked, and she looked up into the sky that had light fluffy clouds decorating it. Looking back at normal level, she looked at Cobb.

'Have anything to go on, yet?' she asked.

'I might, I'm not entirely certain yet. Your subconscious is stable enough…'

'Really?' she asked as she froze in her place. The projections had been fine, and she wasn't paying much attention to them. But one of them had stopped and turned to her. The movement wasn't only odd, but she knew what type of thing turned like that. She swallowed.

The projection was of a short girl, and she stood with her feet covered by the green grass. Her hair was short, dark and thick and her paler skin stood out against her light pink cheeks. The eyes were brown; her hands were behind her back, hiding something. Her frame was dressed in baggy jeans and a Rolling Stones t-shirt that looked like it had been in the wash too many times. What scared her was that she knew exactly who the girl was.

'What is that?' Cobb asked.

She instinctively reached for her gun. But there was nothing there. It began walking towards them. Helen swallowed her fear and watched it. Its eyes blackened and it smiled teeth and all, at her. A demon.

'Helen?' he asked sharply and she found she couldn't move. The projection was now no less than two or three feet away from them.

The projection or demon's hands came from behind her back and she showed them. On the arms were scars and burns.

'Look what happened to me!' it shouted, the architecture shifted once again. The gates rose up, but this just angered the projection. Helen stumbled back, with Cobb who looked intrigued and yet slightly worried at the same time. The projections eyes blackened once again. 'You did this to me. You let it happen' the bars washed away like melted chocolate as the projection touched them. 'You'll pay for it. You know you will' and the projection stopped. Cocking its head to one side, it looked at Cobb.

'Who are you?' and it laughed, a giggly manic laugh.

'Oh, I'm Michelle. Nice to meet you' and that phrase echoed in Helen's head as a memory she thought she had stopped.

'Stop it' Helen said and it turned to her.

'Why? Your boys can't save YOU!' and a silver blade appeared in the projections hands. It was too quick; he didn't have time to get away. The projection stabbed Cobb in the gut and twisted the knife. Pulling the blade out, blood dripped off. Blood bubbled and seeped out of his mouth as he dropped forward. It was just a dream. That would wake him up, right? Helen thought. The projection twisted and snarled.

'Run Helen' and she didn't need to be told twice. Running was useless, but adrenaline pumped through her veins and she needed it all to stop. Looking back, Cobb's body was still crumpled on the ground. If he was gone, why was his body still there?

She ran into a house, not caring which one and slammed the door shut. Clicking the lock shut. She breathed deeply, looking around.

'You never really were good at art, were you?' a voice mocked and Helen froze. The lock on the door didn't budge as she pulled at it. Closing her eyes she swallowed and turned. The projection stood in the doorway.

'All this time, you didn't give me one thought. Why did they save you? Hmm? Why you? Because you were brave enough to pick up that gun?' it stalked towards her until it was not a foot away. And Helen couldn't move. 'It's funny actually; you can kill countless ghosts and spirits in reality. But the second it's going on in your own head, you're not the hunter you think you are'

Michelle Ryan, her roommate from the house she stayed at while studying. Two rooms across to Helen's, she always handed in essays on time and never forgot to pay rent. That night, November 4th 2010, the demon had wrecked the house. Clearing everything out, this included anything that got in its way. Helen had heard the screams and the crash of furniture. She first thought it was a break in gone wrong, but how she was corrected. She had come out, onto the landing, and saw the bottom rooms ablaze. Some of the bedroom doors were open and she checked them. There was a gun on the floor and she remembered seeing a boy or man drop it. She picked it up, and as she got up what she saw in Michelle's room made her stomach turn. Michelle was on the floor, scars and blood all over her. The demon knelt beside her and looked up. Michelle was screaming but it covered her mouth. She kicked and thrashed. Helen fired a shot and it hit it. Just about. Giving an angry roar, Helen watched as the demon took the life from Michelle. Fire ignited around her, and her brown eyes bored into her own. She tried to shut the door but it was too late. The demon was taking control of the house. She screamed, and then was roughly pulled to the side. It had been Dean who told her to jump from the window and run. This she did, tears making tracks down her face. She looked back at the house, sirens wailing.

'Time to wake up' the projection smiled and Helen felt the cold steel slice through her. The pain shot through her body. It felt as if she was being infected with acid, all the while the projection laughed at her.

Her eyes snapped open, and she was back in the warehouse. Dean, who was shouting at Cobb, turned and knelt by her. She nearly smacked him in the face as; her skin still felt like it was on fire so she jerked when he put his hand on her arm. It all felt so real. She had forgotten it was a dream, the pain, the burn everything. She leant forward and hid her face.

She heard the voice of the girl Ariadne, say something to the others.

'Hey, Helen' she said and Helen looked up. Ariadne wore a weak smile.

'I know exactly what you're feeling right now. Believe me, same thing happened on my first time under as well' and Helen felt annoyance sing along her blood.

'I really don't think you do!' she yelled and stood up. She was shaking was being watched.

'Helen, what happened?' Sam asked and she breathed out.

'A… um demon showed up?' which wasn't entirely truthful.

'A demon showed up in your own head. As in a 'projection' of a demon?' Dean asked, sounding like he was trying to make this into something that made sense. Helen nodded. Clearly the others had explained stuff to Sam and Dean while she was asleep. 'Where does this leave us exactly?' his voice teetering on violent.

'If you feel like you can carry on with the therapy then we will continue with what we agreed' Cobb said and Helen nodded. The feeling of true reality sinking in.

'I think I should do that' she said, surprised at herself for not freaking out more. Not noticing that Ariadne had gone, when she reappeared next to her she had a glass of water and an aspirin.

'If you need it' she said simply and Helen gave her a weak smile as an apology for shouting at her.

'Thanks' she said quietly.

'Well, I want you to get some rest okay?' Cobb said, making sure she looked at him. 'Don't stay awake, it'll make it worse. If you can, when you wake up, note down everything that happens in your dream' he said softly. Helen nodded.

'Have you guys got a place to stay?' Arthur, who was sitting on one of the chairs, asked. Helen looked at Sam whose eyes widened a bit.

'Nope' Dean answered after his brother's reaction. Arthur jotted down something on a pad and tore the paper off. He walked over, handing the paper to Dean.

'It's not far from here. Tell the person at the desk you know Arthur Callahan; you'll get a free room' he said and Dean thanked him. Helen curled her hands around her.

'We'll see you in a few days' Cobb said and Helen nodded.

'Sorry about the-'and he smiled a wry smile.

'It's only a dream and I've had worse. Take care' and she walked away, nodding to everyone. Eames held the door open and winked a 'take care'.

There was silence all the way down the warehouse and into the street. Dean walked ahead and Sam and Helen followed. She didn't know what to think of the experience. They got to the Impala, which was parked a good block away on a back road. Sam and Dean began bickering a little.

Helen put a hand on the handled, closed her eyes and felt tears murmur out from her eyes. Sam was telling Dean something, and Dean was biting back in reply. She couldn't hear; the rushing in her ears was enough noise. She didn't know if they'd notice. So when she felt a hand tug at her shoulder, she turned and was enveloped by strong arms. Helen buried her head in his shoulder, sliding her arms around his waist she gripped tight.

Neither said anything, and soon they let go and both got in the car. Helen was still wiping away fake tears with her sleeve, if only to avoid eye contact with either Winchester.