"Alana."

A voice called out from the darkness. It sounded familiar but I couldn't fully comprehend who it could be. I was still very tired and not fully awake yet, so my brain was refusing to work properly. Oh well, I don't care who it was. I wasn't ready to get up yet. Maybe whoever it is will leave me alone once they see I'm trying to sleep.

"Alana."

The voice said again, this time closer to my ear. To my dismay, I could feel myself wake up the more the person called out to me. I still couldn't tell who was trying to wake me but now recognized the voice belonged to a man. But which man? It wasn't Nightmare, that much I could tell. I felt as though I was forgetting something simple and it made my head hurt.

Damn it, it's too early for this crap. Whoever that man is, why won't he leave me alone? Can't he see how tired I am? Or how I was purposefully trying to ignore him? Why won't he just let me sleep? Tightening my eyes, I snuggled deeper into my pillow and did my best to ignore the nagging feeling I knew this man in hopes he'd go away.

After a moment of silence I released a small sigh of relief. Did the man finally give up? Had he finally taken the hint and went away? Well, it's about time. Despite feeling like I was forgetting something important, including that I knew that man, I really couldn't care less. Once I wake up on my own accord I know I'll remember but, for now, all I wanted was to fall back asleep before my brain became too active. If that happened falling asleep would become impossible; no matter how tired I am. Unfortunately, my relief was short lived.

Just as I was starting to relax, I heard something shuffle nearby. Very nearby. Before I could even guess what was happening I felt someone loom over me and warm breath on the side of my face.

"Alana, if you don't get up, I'm going to have to carry you." His now very familiar voice smoothly whispered. Suddenly everything came flooding back.

I remembered being pulled into the forest by Ace. I remembered him ignoring my demands to let me go as he got us horribly lost. Lastly I remembered being forced to continue following him even after I was freed and eventually being forced to camp with him once it got dark.

Popping my eyes opened, I grimaced as the first thing I was undoubtedly greeted with was Ace's smirking face; only inches from my own. Upon seeing he was successful in waking me up, the man pulled back but it did little to help me feel better. He was the reason I was so tired and remembering everything he put me through pissed me off. This is what I had been forgetting and, though I hate the feeling, I wish it had stayed forgotten.

"What do you want? I was sleeping." I demanded, sitting up and rubbing my eyes.

"Aw, don't be like that. The time period changed." He answered in that highly annoying playful whine of his. Hearing him talk like that right after waking up made me want to punch him but, fortunately for him, I lacked the energy to do so. So I settled for glaring at him.

"So?" I argued, not understanding his reasoning. I don't care what time of day it was; if I'm tired enough I can sleep even if the sun was shining directly on my face.

"So it's time to go. It's afternoon so there may be people walking around." He told me pointedly, as if I should have already known. My eye twitched but I didn't get a chance to respond as his smile changed and he continued. "I don't think you'd like that."

I have no idea if that was meant as some kind of threat or a warning but it sent a shiver down my spine regardless. Why is it that this man can make me feel so unnerved with just a smile? Well, it's not just a smile. The tone he speaks in while smiling is downright creepy. This is the fourth time I couldn't tell if I was being threatened or not; and all four times he's had a smile on his face.

There was something just not right about him but I didn't want to sit here and figure it out. Though I was still tired I was now awake to the point that falling asleep was impossible. On the bright side that meant I could finally attempt to make my way back to the town. I vaguely remember Nightmare giving me directions so I just had to figure out where East is and get away from Ace. Hmm, I wonder if I can navigate by the position of the sun; otherwise I'm pretty much screwed.

"Alright, fine. I'm getting up." I responded tiredly and yawned as I stretched my arms above my head. I'm unsure if my unease had shown on my face but, if it had, Ace didn't mention it and I watched as a pleased smile quickly lit up his face.

"Great! I'll wait outside." He chirped and turned his back on me but continued to look at me over his shoulder. "Don't take too long, or I may have to come get you."

He said it in such a cheerful tone but I knew it had to be a threat. I didn't get a chance to respond as he then turned his head away from me and left me alone in the tent. Once he could no longer see me, I gave into my body's urges to shudder.

Well, inspiration did strike for a bit, and I still know the plot i want to go with, but I just haven't been inspired as of late. I hope this doesn't get people's hope up but also somewhat satisfies them