Chapter 4

For the next month, Elijah was given food once a week and water twice a week. He tried to act like he was having the time of his life but he was too hungry, and thirsty, and tired, He was too afraid to fall asleep.

The first day of the second month, at least that's what they told him when he asked, Adia came into his cell.

"Elijah?" she kneeled down in front of where he was curled up in the corner, "here," she held out a tray of food.

"You already feed me this week, didn't you?" Elijah coughed.

"Reala did," Adia replied, "but I didn't," she coxed Elijah to take the tray. He didn't.

"What is it like to be cold?" Elijah asked.

"You don't know?"

"I sort of know," Elijah coughed again.

"You sound sick," Adia felt his forehead.

"He gave me a name," Elijah said distantly.

"What?"

"That's it," Elijah brightened slightly, "he did something that Master never did, he gave me a name, an identity, I'm not just another part of him… I am Elijah," he laughed silently, "I've done something horrible. Why did it take me so long to realize?" he looked up at Adia, "the Wizemin isn't coming back, is he?"

Adia shook her head.

"Why are you giving me food?"

"Hun?" Adia looked down at the tray, "well, even though you did some really bad things, I care about what happens to you."

"What's 'care'?" Elijah sat up.

"That's hard to explain…" she thought for a moment, "well caring is… like, wanting to help someone that needs help, being a friend-"

"You want to be my friend?"

"Wha- uh…"

"It's okay," Elijah coughed, "what food did you bring me?"

"I brought you some soup, I thought maybe it would be easier to eat, because, in your current state you-"

"Thank you," Elijah smiled weakly, "for caring I'm going to try and find Nights for you okay?"

"That would be nice," Adia smiled back, "thank you."

Elijah closed his eyes. If he was going to find Nights he was going to have to go into a totally subconscious state, Elijah hoped it wouldn't be too hard. He took a breath, and fell asleep.

When he opened his eyes, he saw nothing but darkness. He sat up, and looked around. There he was, stilled chained, still trapped, "Nights," Elijah he jumped up and shook the chains that bound the wounded 'Maren. Nights moaned and opened his eyes halfway, "oh, it's you, come to gloat, other Nights?"

"No, I've come to free you," Elijah tried to find a lock or some other way to free Nights.

"Why?" Nights spat, "I thought you were waiting for master."

"I'm sorry it took me so long to understand," Elijah bowed his head, "I know now, he's not coming back and this body belongs to you not me."

"Why?" Nights sincerely asked Elijah, "why do you want to free me?"

"I care about you," Elijah was crying, "I don't know how to make these chains let you go," he pulled on them violently, "let him go!" the chains disintegrated.

Nights fell to the ground.

"Nights!" Elijah ran over and helped Nights to his feet.

"When I take my body back, what will happen to you?"

"I'll go away."

"What do you mean?"

"I'll die,"

Nights shook his head, "why?"

"I don't know…"

Nights grabbed Elijah and hugged him, "I'll miss you,"

"Yeah," Elijah sniffed, I'll miss me too," he laughed, "take care of yourself, and your daughter, if she doesn't grow up to be as brave and selfless as you, I'll come back to life and sock you."

Nights laughed, "Okay,"

"Goodbye," Elijah backed into the darkness, "thank you, for caring." He disappeared.

"Elijah…" Nights put his head in his hands and cried.

"What are you crying for, 'lijah?"

Nights looked up, "Reala!" he jumped up and threw his arms around his brother's neck, "it's me, it's Nights!"

"Why should I trust you?"

"Because when we were in Nightmare you slept with the light on, because you were afraid of the dark, and if you don't believe me I'll tell the whole castle!"

"Please don't," Reala said anxiously, "I love you so much Nights!" he wrapped his arms around his brother, "let's go get you something to eat."