Shadow Moon
Dragon Lady
Ch.4: Nightmares
Disclaimer: Although I really wish I did, I don't own Sailor Moon, only the characters I create.
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Altera tosses and turns in her sleep, limbs thrashing wildly, her covers twisted and falling from the bed. Tears run down her face in tiny rivers, soaking her pillow.
In her dreams, tendrils of smoky darkness wrap themselves around her. They grasp ankles and wrists, pinning her down. The air is becoming thicker and she can't breath. She looks to her left and sees that her hands are covered in blood. NO! She struggles and the tendrils begin to loosen, but only slightly. She feels it creeping up inside her…
"No!" her eyes fling open and she sits up, arms behind her for support. She puts a hand to her face and wipes away tears and sweat. Her body is quaking and sweat mats her hair. Her throat is horse from screaming and her head id pounding.
"I will not let darkness have me. I can control my own powers."
Altera walks through the halls in a daze. She had gotten no sleep the night before, nightmares plaguing all her dreams. The day has dawned cool and rainy, lightning lighting up the sky. Altera's clothing is soaked and she leaves pools of water where she walks.
What a dreary day and I'm so tired. I wish I could get some sleep.
"Altera!"
Altera's head snaps up and she turns around to see Serena running toward her. "Oh, hi Serena."
Serena runs up to her, panting. "Are you okay Altera? I called your name three times, but you wouldn't answer. You just kept on walking."
"Sorry, I didn't get a whole lot of sleep last night and I'm a little tired."
"Oh. Well don't worry, it happens to me all the time, I know exactly how you feel."
The side of Altera's mouth curves up in what is almost a smile. "So I hear."
A bell rings, signaling the beginning of class. "Well, that's the bell. If you don't want to be late, you'd better hurry," Altera says.
"Plenty of time."
"Altera shrugs and walks off, leaving Serena behind. Serena watches her go a worried expression on her face. "Not enough sleep huh? It seems to me that there is more than just a little trouble sleeping involved." With no one else to talk to, Serena walks down the hall toward her first class. I might actually be on time for once. She pauses for a moment and leans up against a wall. I'd better slow down. I don't want to give the teacher a heart attack when she sees that I'm actually on time.
"Well, this is a delightful surprise. It looks like the scout of darkness is having some trouble with her powers," Pyra says, staring into the pool
"So she is. Perfect timing too."
Pyra smiles. "Her mother was like that too. She also had a hard time excepting her fate, although she did in the end."
"I remember. We almost had her," the voice pauses, thinking. "Now would be an excellent time to strike. She is very vulnerable now."
"Of course Master." Pyra steps up to the pool and is about to jump in when the voice stops her.
"Wait a moment. There is no need to summon a monster to this world."
"Master?"
"Use Dream Keeper, he can take care of this little nuisance for us."
Pyra smiles wickedly. "Perfect."
The day has gone by slowly. Altera sighs as she takes her seat in the back for the last class. As the teacher calls role, Altera stares blankly at the clock. Only one more hour. I don't think I can remember the last time a day lasted so long.
"Altera, are you okay?" Orion, the boy beside her says.
Altera smiles at him. At least he is nice to her. Most of the school goes out of their way to avoid her, all but Orion and the scouts. Everyone else seems to despise her, all but Bran, who never says much of anything to anyone.
Altera looks across the aisle at the two boys. She is almost positive the two are brothers. Both Orion and Bran have red hair and brown eyes, although Orion's hair is a bright red and Bran's more of a copper. Orion also has a darker complexion. Other than the small differences though, the boys look very similar. Both are tall and slightly built and both of them have a way of smiling that seems to brighten up a room (when Bran actually smiles).
"I'm okay Orion, I just didn't get nearly enough sleep last night."
"Oh, sorry," he whispers. "Maybe you should just take a nap."
"In the middle of class!"
Orion shrugs. "Sure, why not? It's not like anything they teach you in this class is worth anything."
"That's awful."
"Yet too true."
Altera looks up as footsteps come up beside her and stop. "Is there anything you would like to share with the class?" Mr. Tereagishi is staring down at them, arms crossed and frowning.
Orion leans back in his chair and places his pencil behind his ear. "No not really, but if you like I could make something up."
"What did you just say?" Mr. Teragishi's face reddens and his fists clench. Altera winces slightly.
"Are you feeling okay Mr. Teragishi? You don't look so well, are you sick?" Orion smirks and giggles rise from the rest of the class.
"You insolent little…"
Orion's smile broadens.
"You out now!"
"As you wish Mr. Teragishi. I hope you feel better soon." Orion gathers up his books and his bags and walks toward the door. As he passes, he gives Altera a wink and Altera hides a smile of her own behind her hand. Well, at least he gets out of here.
The class continues despite Altera's wishes. As the teacher's voice drones on, Altera feels her eyelids grow heavier. Her head sinks to the desk, cushioned by her arms.
The room begins to fade and shadows creep forward, covering everything in view. No! I must have fallen asleep! I've got to wake up! Altera tries desperately to open her eyes, but her efforts prove futile. The darkness sweeps up through her, tasting her, wrapping around her like a lover. Altera can feel hot tears burning against her cheeks. Her breath is becoming shorter, her struggles weaker. She can feel her mind and body beginning to shut down.
A shrill bell pierces the terror and her eyes fly open. Students are grabbing their books, coats, and bags and are leaving the classroom. Tears still streaming down her face, Altera grabs her bag and runs to the door. Students move out of her way quickly to avoid getting trampled as she runs down the hall and towards the doors.
A cold shock of water greets her as she leaves. Rain pours over her, soaking her cloths and mingling with the salty rivers running from her eyes and down her cheeks. Wet silvery strands of hair wrap around her face as she runs, becoming tangled and knotted.
Finally, she stops, exhausted, by a lake near a small apartment complex. She leans against the rail to the dock and sobs. Why can't I control it? Why can't I control my own power?
Bran watches as the girl stands up and runs form the room, tears streaming down her face. What's with her? Bran walks to the door and is about to go down the hallway when he suddenly stops. He glances in the opposite direction, towards the set of double doors the girl had run out of and scowls. Why should I care if something's wrong with her? Since when do I care about her at all? He begins to turn and walk back down the hallway and then stops again. Damn. Bran turns back toward the doors and runs as fast as he can into the pouring rain.
Shit! It's coming down in torrents! What is she thinking going out into a storm like this? I should probably leave that stupid girl wherever she is.
Without knowing where he is going, he follows the path Altera took to the lake. As he does so, he mutters a very long string of curses and tries to keep his dark red hair form getting into his eyes.
Once he reaches the apartment complex, he smiles. Well, at least I'm close to home. Then he sees her on the dock and his eyes widen. She is sitting on the dock, her knees drawn to her chest. Silver hair covers her arms and her body shakes form sobs and the cold rain.
Cautiously, he walks up behind her. "Altera?" The girl sits up startled. What am I thinking? She's just some foolish little girl!
Altera stands slowly. "What are you doing here?"
Good question. "I came to see if you were okay." With a great amount of effort, he tears his eyes from hers and allows anger to rise up inside him. "You shouldn't have come out here like this! What kind of fool are you? Do you not realize that it's pouring down rain? Did you not notice the lightning?"
Altera backs up a step. "I'm…I'm sorry."
Bran sighs, exasperated. What am I getting so worked up about? Why should I care if she wants to stand by a lake in the middle of a thunderstorm? Why am I out here having this damn conversation?
"Well why…" Bran stops and turns. A strong feeling of approaching danger fills his senses. What is this?
"Altera, get out of here, quickly," Bran says urgently.
Too late. Bran turns back to Altera just in time to see her body sway. He catches her and wraps her in his arms before she hits the ground. He cradles the small girl in the circle of his arms. He sighs in relief as he sees her chest gently rising and falling.
As carefully as he is able, he carries her into the apartment complex, its walls shielding them form the vengeful downpour outside. Bran carries her to the top floor and to a door in the corner. He fishes through his pockets for a set of keys. After getting the door open, he begins searching franticly for the light switch on the wall.
Finally, he sets Altera's limp body onto the couch and kneels beside her. She is still breathing softly. Bran nods and gets up, heading toward the bathroom. He pulls a thick wool blanket form the linen closet. He returns to the room and spreads the blanket over her still form and pulls up a chair beside her, waiting patiently.
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Rena: Not bad, it's really starting to heat up. There's just one problem with this chapter though.
Author: And what's that?
Rena: I'm not in it.
Author: Sorry, you just didn't fit into the plot this time.
Rena: Can I be in the next chapter?
Author: Maybe.
Rena: If I give you a free fortune cookie, can I be in the next chapter?
Author: Oh, so you're resorting to bribery now are you? It won't work.
Rena: *Sits back, thinking * Two?
Author: …