There's someone in the hall.

Shhh.

Click. Click.

The sound of slippers gliding across the floor, someone walking, perhaps trying to tiptoe slowly.

Silence.

Quick and shallow breathing.

Pink hair quivering.

New sweat beading over old.

Thoughts racing with remnants of the nightmare.

Terror.

Shhh.

Closer.

Thoughts of too many horror movies, courtesy of Odd.

Eyes shutting. Heart beating.

Shhh.

Just another late night bathroom trip for one of the girls.

Is it?

Right outside the door.

Hands curling.

One around a doll, one around the knife under her pillow.

She doesn't like it, but it is necessary.

Doorknob turning.

Thoughts of this ridiculousness.

Why is she afraid?

Nightmare flashes.

Breath hitching.

Heart speeding. Body tensing. Terror coursing.

A sliver of light falls upon her.

Fighting not to pant. Not to scream.

Stillness.

Knife gripped.

Silence.

She can hear them breathing.

Sound drowned out by her heartbeat.

Silence.

What are they waiting for?

Nearly dizzy from controlling her breathing.

Unbearable silence. Then—

"Aelita?"

The gentle whisper sends the girl whirling, knife in hand.

The movement sends the boy jumping backwards.

Startled glances. Knife clattering to the floor. Sheepish apology.

Relief.

"Jeremy. I've been on edge all night, and I had a nightmare earlier…"

Gentle reassuring.

Light glinting off of eyes.

Suspicious blackness replacing blue.

Relief overpowering suspicion.

Door sliding closed.

Hand behind back.

Eyes flashing black. A familiar symbol.

Knife glinting in the moonlight. Not hers.

Horrified realization.

The shriek is loud enough for the whole dorm to hear.