Chapter 6: She Returns

Zack continued to twist and thrash in his bed as his dream continued.

- Zack POV -
I watched as Matthew approached after having just killed my brother. Anger surged through me. I twisted again, I still couldn't free my arm. Matthew inched closer to me, a smile beaming across his face.

"Now it's your turn," he said triumphantly. He raised the blade at me. I looked up at him, my eyes blazing with rage.

Suddenly I felt someone grab my shoulder. Everything around me dissolved into a bright light. I felt my left arm become free as I used both to shield my eyes. I felt a wind pulling on my hair. Finally the wind died along with the light as I slowly opened my eyes. I blinked, trying to grasp the situation. I was back in my living room, only my body was abnormally light. I looked down and noticed, I was floating! I gasped, startled at what was happening. Suddenly, I heard a soft laugh coming from across the room. I looked up, confusion still in my eyes. I wasn't alone. Across the room from me, also floating was a woman in a white dress. She had dark blond hair and pretty blue eyes.

"I'm guessing you're Zack," the woman across from me said in a warm, caring voice. She reminded me of my own mom. After seeing the look on my face she laughed again. Not a cold evil laugh like Matthew's, but a warm, welcoming laugh.

"Who are you?" I asked, still confused. "And how did I get here?"

She chuckled again. "I brought you here and away from my son."

"You're son?" I asked, really confused. "Wait! Are you Matthew's mom?"

She nodded, "Catch on quickly don't you? No wonder your brother looks up to you."

"You know Cody?"

"Yep," She replied. "I spoke to him a long time ago. Speaking of whom, that's why I've come."

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You have to wake up now, he's in grave danger."

"Wait I just saw Matthew kill him...and wait you're his mother! Why are you helping me?" I replied. I also backed up as much as I could. If she's really Matthew's mom, she's probably trying to lure me into some kind of trap. Why would she help me instead of her own son?

"Cody will be fine, if you get to him in time." She scanned my face for a second, as if she could read my mind. "Why should you trust me, is that what your wondering?" She asked. My mouth dropped, causing her to laugh again. "Don't worry, there will be a time for explanations, right now, Cody is in trouble. Wake up, save him, and I'll explain everything to you later..."

- Normal POV -
Zack woke up with a start, snapping awake. He looked around. He was back in his own room, his blankets were a knotted mess next to him. It was a dream, but it felt so real. He thought to himself. Looking up, his eyes widened. Cody's bed was empty. "CODY!" He said to himself. He got a feeling in the pit of his stomach, something wasn't right. Where would he go in the middle of the night? Maybe to the bathroom? As soon as the word crossed his mind, the feeling grew exponentially worse. Suddenly a memory flashed through his mind.

"If I watch you any longer, I'm gonna puke." Cody had told him before heading to their room. A few moments later, Zack watched Cody bolt for the bathroom, fear written all over his face. Zack began to turn away, but his brother's screams re-captured Zack's attention.

"AHH! LEAVE ME ALONE! ZACK! HELP ME!" Cody screamed.

Zack bolted to his room and dug through what seemed like everything he owned until finally he found a way to pick the bathroom lock. Finally he got it open, and his unconscious brother fell into his arms. Eventually Zack learned that everything that had happened had all been Matthew's doing...Matthew's doing...

Zack finally realized what was going on, and the truth hit him full force. "CODY!" He breathed again, and bolted out of his room.

"Helpless mortal..." Matthew said, his hand still in Cody's chest, grasping his heart. He smiled as Cody continued to slip away...he was only inches away from death now.
Once out in the hallway, Zack frantically looked around. Nothing. Then the corner of his eye caught the bathroom mirror. It was fogged up. Also a mist seemed to emit from the bathroom. What? Zack thought to himself, as he dashed over. His mouth fell at what he saw next.

Cody was slumped against the wall, his head down, one his hands clasped his chest tightly. Cody raised his head slightly. His lips were blue, as were his fingers. His eyes drug down his face with dark circles around each, the rest of his skin was pasty white. "Z-A-CK..." His lips managed to mouth the word before falling. The thing that horrified, and angered Zack the most was seeing Matthew there, his hand stuck what looked to be deep into Cody's chest.

Breathing heavily, anger surging, Zack approached. "Get...away...NOW!" He spat at Matthew. Matthew calmly turned and stood, facing Zack, Cody slumped completely against the wall, as Matthew's hand finally pulled out of his chest. Matthew turned further, so his eyes made direct contact with Zack's. Zack began to shiver slightly, his eyes wide. Air left him in short gasps and formed a misty cloud in front of him. Matthew's eyes glowed through the mist and continued to stare right into Zack's. Despite his fear however, Zack only had one thought in mind, protect Cody.

"Leave...him...alone," Zack breathed, holding his ground as Matthew began to approach. With each step he seemed to glide over the floor.

Suddenly, he stopped. He looked up and smiled again, his eyes coming back to Zack. "Foolish," Matthew winded before disappearing.

Zack stood still for a second, then the sight of his brother's weakened condition brought him back to reality. "CODY!" He said as he rushed over and picked up his little brother. Initially Zack jumped back in surprise. Cody's skin was colder than ice. "No! Cody!" Zack breathed, fearing the worst. He touched his brother's neck. He winced at the cold touch, but was relieved to find a near non-existant pulse. "You gotta get warmed up! NOW!" Wincing, Zack picked Cody up and rushed back to their room, where he wrapped Cody in every blanket available. He also rubbed Cody's back, hoping to quickly warm his brother up.

"Za-ck?" Cody finally said weakly.

Zack smiled, resting. "Don't worry, he's gone...for now."

"Ok," Cody replied softly before resting his head on Zack's shoulder. "I'm so cold. Everything's cold."

"We'll get you warmed up, just hang in there for me. Please Cody?"

Cody nodded before relaxing his head again.

I've gotta keep Cody talking to me until he's back to normal, Zack thought desperately. "Cody what happened in there? Please I have to know. What was he doing to you?" Zack asked, speaking quickly.

"It just got so cold, everything...I dunno," Cody replied in a soft voice. "I could feel him holding my heart...it was like he was draining my life out of me somehow...it felt like everything slowed down. I had no energy. It was getting colder and colder. My heart was stopping...I couldn't breathe...I couldn't think...everything...it was like I was back in that room. It felt like dying. The cold, it was like I was drowning in it, like heat doesn't even exist." Cody's eyes then flashed at Zack. Zack was startled slightly at first, then he was back to normal. "Zack..." Cody began.

"Yeah?"

"Please, remember your promise. Please," Cody continued, swallowing deeply. "I'm so scared. Please don't let him kill me. Please...don't let him kill me..."

"I won't Cody. I'll protect you." Zack replied unsure. He would do anything to protect Cody...but what if he failed Cody again? And that dream...what if he was actually helpless and couldn't save Cody? Everytime Cody had a dream about Matthew...it came true. Would it be the same for him too? What if he couldn't get to Cody in time again? The thought scared him, but Zack tried not to show it.

Cody rested his head again. "And I'll protect you...if I can, I'm so weak. You've saved me everytime, Zack why can't I fight him like you...Why can't I be strong like you?"

Zack looked at him. "I'm your big brother, it's what I do. But you are strong Cody...in fact you saved me last time. Getting to you...that was all I could think about. That one thought saved me."

"Ok," Cody replied in a softer voice, laying down again. "Hey Zack?"

"Yea?"

"How'd you know where to find me?"

"I-I don't know...I had this dream, some woman told me you were in trouble...then I just woke up," Zack continued in an unsure voice. "I saw your bed was empty...something just...something just didn't feel right, I just knew."

"Oh," Cody said with a yawn. "Goodnight Zack...I'll...protect...you." He was asleep before he finished the sentence. Clinging his brother tightly, after about an hour, Zack too began to doze off. Finally he gave into his sleep, resting his head on top of his brother's.

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