DISCLAIMER COPY PASTE
Faith POV
I let out a tired sigh and put leaned into my hands, trying to block out the confusion surrounding me. Too many noises and thoughts were in my way as I tried to recall my dream for Marissa. "It's been the same every night," I started in an almost inaudible whisper, "I toss and turn trying to fall asleep but it doesn't come on normally but it's more like my body decides to shut down. One moment I'm trying to get comfortable and the next I'm frozen in a REM cycle." I looked up at my friends to see if what I was saying made any sense. Jonathan and Kira were frowning with concern while Marissa seemed…upset or worried, like she was dreading what I was going to say next. She leaned forward a little and gave me the aaaannd? look, wanting me to continue. I pulled my hoodie sleeves over my hands and shifted in discomfort suddenly feeling very cold. "It always starts on my driveway. I'm walking with a guy up my driveway, like he's dropping me off at my house and…I can never see his face, I've had the dream enough that I try to focus on it but it's blurry, like he's in a picture that won't let the foreground come into focus, everything else is sharp and clear. We sit down on the step outside my door and…he wants me to let him in. I say no but he always asks again." I stopped to let them catch up before continuing, " I always run for the door and try to close it but he catches it with his foot but he never makes any other move to get in…he only continually asks permission." I closed my eyes again finding it easier for my brain to handle. "I wake up in a cold sweat every time and a migraine. The migraines aren't going away anymore though," I said suddenly pleading for help, " I haven't slept in a week without that dream, and I wake up every morning feeling more drained than when I went to bed." I finally choked out, trying to fight the tears threatening to overcome me. I couldn't meet their eyes, they probably thought I needed medical help.
"Faith, I'm going to find a way to stop this, okay?" Marissa said quietly, I looked up only to see her seething with rage. "Marissa?"
Marissa POV
I started and looked over at Faith, who looked confused and worried that it was her I was angry with. I gave her a reassuring smile and got up from the table, " don't worry I think I have a solution, I'll meet you before you get on the bus, okay?" I said trying to calm her frayed nerves. She still seemed uneasy but she managed a nod as I got up. I mused over how protective I suddenly was over Faith. I had set out only to play her into Eric's hands, not to become attached to her. I shrugged inwardly, how could you not become attached to her, I said to myself, she's only the sweetest human girl you've ever met. I berated myself for my mental slip, she's only an assignment, I told myself, but still that little part of me wouldn't give up. She trusts you; you're her friend it insisted. I pushed aside my inner conflict and tried to focus. I couldn't allow Eric to continue to torment the poor girl; he knew better and I wasn't going to stand by and watch this girl drift toward madness.
Maxwell POV
I sat outside the school with my laptop trying without success to rack my brain for a loophole. This assignment was a flat out stalemate though; there was no way around it. I sighed and closed the laptop and ran my hands through my hair. I had to find a way around this; everyone was counting on me as the master's right hand man and I was failing. "Maxwell Clarence Hurst!" I jumped as Marissa rounded the corner extremely upset and angry…not a good combo. "Where is Eric," she demanded, "he had better have some answers!"
"Rissa, I wouldn't be here waiting if I knew where he was," I replied, "what's got you so riled?" She huffed and took a seat on the bench beside me, "He's been messing with Faith's dreams," she said sullenly.
"So what? It would be easy if she invited him into her…" I stopped short silenced by her glare. I gulped; I had apparently missed the point. "For the past week, that's what," she snapped. "What?!" I exclaimed appalled, "doesn't he know how…"
"Dangerous it is?" She offered with mock pleasantries, "Yes, he does," she continued bitterly, " Which is why he has a hell of explaining to do."
"It's that bad?" I asked quietly. She nodded all her hot air suddenly gone and replaced with a melancholy frown. She turned to me, "She could get permanently damaged if he keeps this up," she said solemnly and I swear she was fighting tears… which was absurd since Marissa never cried. Ever. She suddenly stood up and I felt compelled to do the same. "I should go back," she said quietly. I stood there awkwardly, not wanting to poke the bear but curiosity got the better of me, "Why doesn't this have you so worked up, Rissy?" I finally asked softly, fearing she'd be angry at my hint of her being emotional, it was a rare thing for Marissa to come close to tears. She tried to smile but it was more of a grimace and I heard her sniff and try to compose herself. "Damn myself, Max, I care about her," she confessed her gaze dropping to the ground, "As much as I wish I didn't, I can't help it." I must have looked surprised because she rolled her eyes at me as if to say yes, Max, I am capable of emotion. I had the sense to look sheepish and merely nodded as she turned and started walking back inside. She suddenly stopped and ran back to me, "Don't let him hurt her, Max," She suddenly pleaded, "please." If I was surprised before this time I had to wonder if Marissa was feeling all right. "Max," I shook myself out of my shock, "make him stop, I can't see her like this," she asked again. I couldn't believe this, "What has this girl done to you?" I inquired in disbelief. "I don't know, all I know is that she trusts me as a friend and I for unknown reasons wish fiercely to protect that trust," She conceded softly. "That good?" I said incredulously. "An angel," she whispered before she turned and walked back inside, leaving me to wrestle with everything she had told me.
A/N: Yay for chapter 11! Next chapter is going to be awesome. Feedback is welcomed! Please. Feedback. I crave reviews! Help me out here! Thanks for continuing to read!