Sorry this chapter took so long. I been having a little writer block, but I think I'm over it. Anyways, here is the third chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own FF7

Nightmares and Phenomenon

Part 3: Dream Wounds

"Cloud, I'm home", shouted Tifa as she arrived home that night. As she walked into the living room, I could tell that h noticed that something was off. Fortunately, I've prepared myself for the incoming question: "Cloud, where is the living room lamp?"

I forced a smile and replied, "Well, the lamp blew a fuse and I couldn't fix it, so I got rid of it." Tifa seemed conflicted; as if part of her seemed suspicious while the other part desperately wanted to believe every word I said. I didn't really want to lie to her. Actually, I wasn't completely lying. After all, there was no way I could fix the lamp after it was cut into two pieces, so I had to get rid of it. Besides, if Tifa found out what really happened she would have freaked. She worries about me too much already so I didn't want her to worry even more.

Tifa apparently believed my explanation since we didn't discuss it any further. Instead, we just when about our normal routine as if nothing happened. We ate dinner, cleaned up the kitchen, did some chores, and watch TV before going to bed. Nothing was out of the ordinary and everything was as normal as it could be.

However, as I tried to relax on my bed, I couldn't help but think about the events that had occurred in the last few days. I thought about the strange dreams, the remote, the books falling off the shelf, the strange mark on my arm, and the incident with the living room lamp. Why were these things happening to me? What was causing them to happen? What exactly was happening anyways? These questions were running through my mind as I tried to go to sleep. Part of me didn't want fall asleep due to the chance that I would have another nightmare. However, I couldn't keep resisting sleep forever and I eventually found myself closing my eyes and drifting into my dreams.

"Cloud!" shouted a voice that came from the dark abyss. I recognized the voice as Aeris' and saw her figure appear from the darkness. She shouted my name again as she ran towards me as fast as she could. She looked at me with worry-filled eyes and said, "Cloud, you must get away from here. He's coming!" I didn't have to ask who she was talking about. I wrapped my arms around her and said, "Don't worry Aeris, I'll protect you. Sephiroth will never hurt you again." "But Cloud…" began Aeris, but before she could finish what she was saying she suddenly pushed me to the ground. I looked up to ask why she did that, only to see a familiar looking blade sticking out of her chest. If she hadn't pushed me away, I would've been stabbed as well. Then the blade was pulled out and Aeris' limp body fell to the ground, revealing Sephiroth behind her. I stood up and reached for my blade, but I didn't have it. I quickly turned back towards Sephiroth, yet both he and Aeris had disappeared.

I wandered through the dark abyss for a few minutes while shouting "Sephiroth, you bastard! Show yourself!" As I walked around, I felt the darkness close around me. I also began the feel loneliness and despair. Suddenly, I felt a great surge of pain in my back as if I was stabbed by the masamune. Overcome with pain, I fell into the darkness. While being swallowed by the darkness I heard a voice say "Cloud, wake up!"

My eyes suddenly opened and I saw Tifa standing by my bed. She looked very worried and asked "Cloud, are you okay? I heard you scream." "I'm fine, Tifa. I just had another bad dream", I replied as I sat up on my bed. "Are you sure?" she asked as she placed her hand on my back. When she did that, I felt a spike pain and felt her quickly pull her hand away. Tifa quickly flipped on the light switch which revealed the fact that her hand was covered in blood. After staring at her bloody hand for a few seconds, Tifa quickly rushed to my side and took a closer look at my back. I heard her gasp loudly before screaming, "Oh my god! Cloud! You have a large wound on your back!" Turning around, I noticed that my normally white bed sheets were red. In fact, they were covered in blood!

As Tifa frantically ran into the bathroom to search for the first-aid kit, I began to think about what just happened. I remembered the end of my dream and realized that the wound I received in said dream was in the same place as the mysterious wound I got now. How the heck did I get that wound anyways? I didn't have any sharp objects around, and even if I did, it would have been hard to injure myself when I was awake and even more so while asleep. As I keep thinking, another thought comes into my mind. Was it possible that my wound was caused by my dream? No way! It's not possible. Then again, I can't help but think that there may be some sort of connection.

Suddenly, my attention drifted away from my thoughts as I hear loud footsteps running towards me. I turned my head to see Tifa at my side again as she opened up the first aid kit and began wrapping bandages around me and applying pressure to the wound to stop the bleeding. Then she used a cure materia to speed up the healing process. When she was done and realized that I was going to be okay, she motioned me to get off the bed so she could clean the sheets.

While Tifa went to the laundry room to clean the bloodied sheets, I suddenly realized something else. Now that Tifa had seen that wound, she would no doubt have some questions. I really didn't want to get her involved with these bizarre nightmares and phenomenon, but it now seems as though I don't have a choice in the matter. Then again, I should have known she would find out sooner or later. Either way, I can no longer hide it from her. My realization was proven correct when Tifa walked back into the room and said, "Please Cloud, tell me what's going on!"

I really didn't know what to say to her. How could I tell her what was going on when I didn't really know myself? All that I knew was that the scar on my arm and the wound on my back were somehow connected to the strange nightmares, but that still didn't explain exactly how or why they appeared. As for the books and the lamp, I wasn't quite sure how they tied into the nightmares and the dream wounds but I had a feeling that it wasn't just a coincidence. The only other thing I knew for sure was that my nightmares were hurting me, and it wasn't just the mysterious physical wounds either. Every time I saw Aeris die in my dreams it wounded me emotionally. I don't know how much more pain I can take. I just want my pain and suffering to go away and leave me at peace.

I could see that Tifa was waiting for answer so I replied, "I don't know Tifa, I just don't know." That was as truthful as I could be without going into the details.