Chapter 7: Nightmare and Training

Blackheart tossed and turned in a very uneasy sleep. As a demon, he didn't have dreams, but he did have nightmares. And this one was the worst. It was about Christine.

Everywhere he turned, he watched Christine be tortured by some unknown and was unable to save her. Every time he tried to reach her, he was thrown back. She cried out for him and he for her. She screamed in agony. It nearly tore his heart out. "Christine!"

"Blackheart?! Wake up!!" It was Christine's voice, but it held more worry than fear. "Wake up!!" His eyes snapped opened, and he was nearly blinded by the morning sun. "Are you okay?" He looked up at Christine. She sat beside him, worry very much evident in her eyes. He felt her hand gently run along his cheek. "You're sweating. What happened?"

"Nightmare," he said, sitting up.

"Must have been really bad. You were terrified." She moved closer to him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I've never seen you so frightened. What happened?"

"I'd rather not talk about it." She looked at him, still worried, but accepted his answer.

"Ok. Well, I'll be downstairs. Come down when you're ready."

Christine stood over her kitchen sink, thinking. What could possibly have Blackheart so scared? This hadn't been the first time he had that nightmare. She had watched him toss and turn helplessly while he was unconscience. And he had cried out for her so many times. She had never seen him so terrified. She had thought he was completely fearless.

Footsteps coming down the stairs broke her train of thought. She smiled. "Finally." No answer. She heard a sword unsheathed and reached for her own weapon, which was hidden under the sink. She turned around and Blackheart lunged at her.

She dodged him, and then swung her own blade at him. Their swords met in the air with a loud clang. He swung at her again and she jumped out of the way. She retaliated from below, but he blocked it. He had her backed into the couch. She swung again and he blocked again. After several rounds of ducking, blocking, and dodging, Christine and Blackheart stood in the center of the living room, with Christine about to fall over. In fact, Blackheart swung at her and, in blocking him, she did fall. He pinned her to the ground between his knees, holding his black blade to her neck.

After a few moments, he said, "Not bad." He stood, then helped Christine up. She gave him a confused look. "Jake told me about your training. I wanted to see for myself. You're not half bad."

"Um… Thanks. I think." He chuckled.

"Did you think I would actually hurt you?"

"Well, I was a little surprised. Plus,with your reoccurring nightmares."

"How do you know they're reoccurring?" Christine turned to him.

"Because you acted as though you had same nightmare from when you returned. I wouldn't pursue the subject if you hadn't been so terrified." He turned away. "Blackheart, I know it's about me." He turned back to her, shocked. "You kept calling like I wasn't there." She placed a hand on his face, gently running her thumb along his cheek. "What has you so terrified?"

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"Please, let me help you."

"Christine, you wouldn't understand."

"Than help me…"

"I said NO!!" Blackheart waved his arm and Christine was thrown back into a wall. She looked up at him, a look of pure shock covering her face. His eyes were soulless pitch black. He just stared down at her coldly. His eyes soon turned into orbs of melting blue ice.

Blackheart stared down at Christine as his rage subsided. His own expression quickly turned into sheer shock as realization hit him. He was speechless. He had hurt her. He had promised her just last night he would never hurt her, and yet he just threw her across the room. He took a few steps back before turning on his heels and running away, ignoring Christine's cries for him.