A scream was stuck in my throat as I woke with a start. The dream was still upon me and I looked anxiously around in the dark. There was nothing moving in the shadows, just my curtains billowing in the breeze. With a shaky breath I leaned over the side of my bed and checked underneath. I jumped as two eyes looked back at me but calmed as my dog crawled out. With wagging tail he stood against the bed and whined.

"It was just a dream, Popcorn." I whispered, "Nothing to be afraid of right?"

Even though I was not allowed, I picked up my dog and placed him on the bed. He curled against me and my heart slowed its frantic beat. As I lay there waiting for the last vestiges of the dream to leave I stroked his thick fur. Looking toward my window I watched as a sudden lightening bolt lit up the sky. I was completely unprepared for the instantaneous boom of thunder and found myself scrambling from the bed. I stumbled out of my room as fast as my little legs would carry me. It was so like my dream that I was terrified the 'Bad Ones' would appear before me. As another flash and boom resounded I found myself scurrying down the hall. I'd go to Abel. He'd make the 'Bad Ones' go away. He always chased the nightmares away. I'd been overjoyed when father brought him home for my birthday now I was doubly so! Quietly sneaking past my parent's door I made my way down the hall. Pressing my ear to his door I listened. Nothing stirred within so with infinite care I pushed it open. Slipping inside I closed it behind me. Abel lay sprawled across the bed on his back with the covers bunched at his feet. I moved beside the bed.

"Abel?" I called softly, "Abel?"

"Huh, what? Please no more tests! Let me sleep." he moaned.

"Abel wake up." I shook him lightly. "Abel?"

He jumped out of the bed with a start; fists at the ready. I stumbled back with a whimper. The sound seemed to penetrate his sleep fogged mind for he shook his head and looked around. Spying me cringing he ran a hand across his face and queried"Gennie? What are you doing here?"

"You scared me!" I accused with childish resentment shaking a finger at him. Couldn't he see I was scared enough?

"I'm sorry Gennie. I was dreaming about the Lab…" his voice trailed off. "Now tell me why you're here."

The storm picked up momentum causing me to shudder. I took a step toward him and sensing my distress he held his arms out. That was all the encouragement I needed; I flung myself at him. He held my trembling body close, stroking my hair. I grasped his pajama top in my fists hanging on tightly. He lifted my head up. "Genevie, you're shaking like a leaf. Is the storm scaring you, Angel?"

Looking at him I shook my head, "No…well sort of. The 'Bad Ones' come with the storm; the lightening leads them."

"Bad Ones?" Abel stared at me and suddenly it dawned on him. "You had another dream about them?"

"Yes. Abel they're coming for me I know it." I cried.

"Shush now." He soothed. "It's only a dream."

"No, Abel, it's not. I know they are out there." I paused. "One day you'll see! They come with red eyes and fangs. Instead of hands some have swords. Wherever they go blood flows like a river. They want me and I'm afraid."

Abel sighed, "If they come I'll protect you, alright? I told you I'll never let them hurt you, but Gennie, you have to realize it's only a dream."

"I wish that were so." I whimpered, "I know you think I'm just a silly 7 year old, but Abel, I see things in my dreams. Things that happen. I don't want them to be real, but they are."

"C'mon, Angel, climb in." Turning he crawled back into bed and held up the blankets for me. "You can stay here until you calm down, Okay?"

I crawled in beside him and he settled the covers over us. Still frightened I snuggled close. He hugged me against his heart and the rhythm soothed me. I closed my eyes with a sigh. It was strange, but when Abel was here, it was to him I ran when frightened; not my parents. I don't know how many times this scene had played out, but I knew Abel accepted it just as I did. I always thought he secretly liked to be a slayer of dragons.

"Genevie, can you talk about your dream?" His voice broke into my thoughts.

"Do I have to?" I asked looking into his winter blue eyes.

"No." he softly replied. "But it might make you feel better."

I thought about that. Perhaps he was right. Maybe if I told him, the 'Bad Ones' wouldn't have any power over me. If that were so then maybe if he told me his dream the same would hold true.

"Well, I'll tell you but only if you tell me the dream that upset you."

I heard him sigh. "Gennie, that's something I'd rather not talk about. I'm sorry, but I'd rather you'd keep your ignorance about such things."

"I'm not such a child as that, Abel Nightlord!" I replied heatedly. "I'll have you know I'm testing at the 8th year level! Father said I already have an IQ of 250!"

I felt him shaking with amusement and growled. That seemed to send him deeper into hilarity and he pulled away burying his head under a pillow. I sat up scowling at his outburst and punched his arm. He rolled out from under the pillow, tears of mirth streaming down his face. I watched with jaundiced eye as he gained control of himself. Running his hand through his silver hair he grinned at me.

"I'm sorry Gennie. It's just that I haven't had anything to laugh about for a long time. You're so fierce like a tigress defending your maturity, but do you know what I see? A little girl who sought me out for comfort while wearing pink bunny pajamas that have feet sewn in no less! I'm sure you can appreciate my amusement at your lack of childishness." With that he broke into laughter again.

I wanted to be angry at him but he was right. I was a little girl no matter how much I'd like it to be different and he was a teenage boy. I looked down at my pajamas scowling. They were very pink with very fluffy bunnies. I felt a smile spread across my face; I could indeed understand. His laughter was contagious and I soon found myself giggling along with him. Finally we sobered and I realized I was not afraid anymore. I hugged him tightly as I buried my face in his chest once more. He resumed stroking my long unruly red hair.

"Gennie, I don't mean to hurt you with my silence. Please understand that you see the world in black and white. I don't want you to learn about all the shades of grey yet. Keep your innocence a while. Okay?"

"Okay Abel."

"Now are you calm enough to tell me your dream? Was it the same 'bad ones' you've been dreaming about?"

I nodded yes and began. I told him how the 'Bad Ones' took me to a strange place full of red dirt with strange buildings and a stranger sky. They showed me a battle taking place there and then pulled me under the ground. We emerged above the Earth. With their pointy fingers they showed me changes in the planet. Then the 'Bad Ones' took me to a city much like London. There an angel and demon led them in war. They drug me before the two leaders. They told me I belong to them and would never get away. Finally I spoke about the wave of blood that crashed over me while they laughed. Looking up at Abel I saw horror etched across his face. Realization struck me that he was disturbed that at 7 years old I could come up with such a tale. I watched as he gathered his thoughts and weighted each word before speaking. Gazing sadly at me he stroked my cheek.

"Gennie, I don't think you should take these dreams literally. The 'Bad Ones' I believe are your fears given shape. You know about the Red Mars Project; know I'll be going there. To you this is like death, are you afraid you'll never see me again?"

"Yes." I whispered.

"I thought this might be the case. Angel, dreams often reflect the stress and fear a person has. The first battle, which I believe is on Mars, is one such example; you're fighting fear itself. Now the world reshaping is easy; your world is changing and you don't feel you have any control over it. As for angels and demons, well your mother has raised you up in the Catholic Church. It's natural for you to feel anger at the world for changing; maybe even at me for leaving. Your demon is your guilt at these feelings and the angel the pain of them. Both feelings belong to you and so you belong to them. Understand?"

I thought about what he said. It made a kind of sense, but I didn't believe a word of it. I knew the truth. They would come and they would be fearsome. Yawning widely I snuggled deeper into his warmth. "Abel, I wish you were right." I yawned again. "They will come though and I'll be a part of them. You'll keep me safe though right? You promised."

With an exasperated sigh he tucked the covers again. " Your stubborn streak will be the death of you one day. Yes, I'll always watch over you. Now go to sleep."

Smiling to myself I closed my eyes. Abel began humming a loft lullaby and soon I felt sleep gather me in tender arms. So deep was my sleep that I never felt Abel pick me up and carry me to my room.