Author's Note: This chapter is now set in the present time, and switches back to Jessie.

Chapter 9

Present

Jessie looked down at Sandra, shocked that she was sleeping on the job. Sandra made noises as she slept, obviously having some kind of nightmare.

Jessie went to Sandra's side and shook her gently. Sandra did not stir. Now that Jessie was close to Sandra, she could see that Sandra had some scratches on her arms. As she slept, Sandra moved her arms about her, flailing around and thrashing as if she were having a seizure.

Jessie tried to move Sandra away from the stove so that she would not hurt herself, but she was too heavy. Jessie got the cordless phone from the bar and brought it back to the kitchen, just in case there was a need to call 911.

Suddenly, Jessie noticed more scratches on Sandra's face and arms. She was pretty sure that the scratches hadn't been there before. She must have scratched herself during the seizure, Jessie thought.

Sitting down next to Sandra, Jessie got comfortable enough so she could lean against one of the cabinets in the cupboard and watch Sandra. She wanted to make sure that Sandra didn't hurt herself during her epileptic spell.

Jessie felt tired as she sat and watched, and before she knew it, she had slipped into a sleep as deep as Sandra.

Jessie sat up from the counter. She must have only been sleeping for a couple of minutes, but Sandra was standing at the stove, looking frightened.

"Oh, Jessie, you're here too? You fell asleep, didn't you?" Sandra questioned.

"Yeah, but I'm awake now. How are you feeling now. You had a seizure and I found scratches on your body."

"You're not awake. This is a dream. Mine and your's." Sandra looked around, making sure that everything was clear. "I guess it's time I explain about..." She paused. "Well, about the town itself. The history."

Jessie looked confused. Her beautiul green eyes clouded over, and she started to question Sandra when a screach came from outside the swinging kitchen door.

"Shit. I guess there is no time for explanation now. Just trust me when I say that this is a dream. A killer, named Freddy, is here in this dream and he wants us both dead. We need to find a safe place, or wake up, and I will tell you all about this. But right now, the only thing you need to know is, if you die in your dream, you are dead. You won't wake up. You know all the dreams you used to have? It's all bullshit. Forget the rules of other dreams. Think of this as a no-holds barred fight to the death. Just follow me. I know this place like the back of my hand."

Before Jessie could say anything else, the door to the kitchen burst open. A man. Wait, not a man, but a hideously burnt figure. He wore a striped shirt, not something of fashion in the new millenium. Clear your mind, she thought. You think of stupid shit at a time like this? Right now, you have to believe what Sandra says. You need to be on your toes, thinking like the big girl you are.

"You little bitch! I've waited a long time to kill you!" the man in the striped shirt screamed. "Sandra, you whore, get over here and give me a big, sloppy kiss!"

Freddy's tongue shot out of his mouth, and seemed to stretch until it reached Sandra. It wrapped around her neck and pulled her towards Freddy. Sandra struggled, but she was no match for the dream master's tongue.

"How 'bout I lick you out? Would you like that?" Freddy sucked his tongue back in. Sandra dropped to the floor. "Huh. Still as fat as ever, I see. You dropped like you had cement shoes on. I told you to go on that diet!"

Freddy, who had hidden his claws behind his back, now pulled them out. They glinted in the air as he swung them down. They slashed at the shirt, tearing the tender flesh of Sandra's stomach apart.

"AAAHHH!" Sandra screamed as the blood poured out of her gash. "RUN, JESSIE, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!"

"Ever hear of seppuku, bitch? I have just performed a demonstration!" Freddy laughed in delight, and he lashed violently up her stomach.

Sandra screamed again ina nguish as her intestines poured forth from her body, leaving their systems. "Have you tried eating raw organs, Saaaaaaaandrrrrrraaa? They're very tasty, especially fresh. Here, try some," Freddy said as he picked up her small intestine and shoved it into her mouth.

Sandra violently vomited the organ back up, along with some blood. It splattered onto the floor around them. "Oh, don't like? That's ok, more for me. I guess I'm done with you." Freddy picked up a kitchen knife and pushed Sandra against the wall. He swung the knife forward, and stabbed it into her head hard enough for it to come out the other side and stick in the wall.

"Now for you, Jessie!" He looked around, but Jessie was already gone.