Prologue
Nikolas Cassadine awoke with a start. He sat up and looked around. He realized that he had been having a nightmare. For several minutes he sat trying to catch his breath.
This was not the first time Nikolas had been awakened by this dream. He glanced at the clock and saw that it was still the middle of the night. He sighed knowing it would be a long time before he would be able to go back to sleep.
Nikolas carefully got out of the bed, trying not to wake Gia. He walked over to a chair by the window and sat down. Soon he was lost in thought as he stared out the window.
He didn't hear Gia get up. She walked up behind him and placed her hand on his shoulder. Nikolas jumped.
"I didn't know you were there?" he said turning to face her.
Gia sat down in his lap. "Where were you at?" she whispered.
"On an island, a long way from here?"
"Oh Nikolas," Gia said sympathetically. "You had that nightmare about growing up on the Cassadine Island again, didn't you?"
"Yes, but this was the worst one yet. The memories are so clear."
Gia stood up. She took his hand and pulled him to his feet. "Come on Nikolas. Let's go downstairs. I'll fix us some warm milk and you can tell me about it."
Nikolas nodded and followed her out of the bedroom.
