Doctor Nichols was laid on the floor near a wall with a blanket placed onto him. His body was still warm but was rapidly losing heat. It had come to a great shock to everyone but no one had to ask what had killed him. He'd fallen prey to the nightmares that affected them all but hadn't had the strength to wake up. Bessie carefully placed one of Robyn's flowers on the man's chest and then walked away to sit down.
Sportacus sat glumly in the far corner of the town hall; he should have been able to prevent all this. He should have known that Robyn was being attacked but something was blocking the power of his crystal and he was as clueless as everyone when danger occurred. Something inside him told him he had to stop this, whatever it was. People were dying and it was more than likely that he and his friends would die too. He didn't know what it was he had to fight and hoped things would turn out right.
"I know what you're thinking, Sportacus. Come and do what you desire or I'll come to you." A familiar sing song voice called from the darkness.
Everyone looked at everyone else in total shock, they all knew that voice and had never expected to hear it again. No one was more shocked than Sportacus and this was all he needed to make up his mind. No one protested as he ran out of the town hall and into the enveloping darkness.
He looked around with a great amount of caution as he stalked through the darkness, the street lights weren't lit and he couldn't see very far ahead of him. He had to stifle a scream when he felt a touch on his shoulder; he whirled around to see who had touched him.
"Robyn?" Sportacus asked in a hushed whisper.
"Not quite," The sing song voice answered slowly.
"Lily!"
"Correct. Unfortunately Robyn isn't here right now. It's just me in this body that's available for conversation."
"How?"
"The girl has a special ability. She can see and hear those that are no longer of this world. First of all the spirits appeared as mere flickers, as the years went on they turned into shadows. Soon those shadows will become solid form. All she was able to hear was whispers but eventually the sounds became clearer and as the shadows become solid forms the whispers will be at their clearest. This ability has left her vulnerable to any that seek to exploit it as I have done. The door was unlocked and all I had to do was open it, the direct bloodline between us is the key. Now I can have the revenge I have desired for so long. I knew the brat would come in handy some day." Lily's voice became more and more excited the more she explained what was happening.
"You're responsible for the nightmares aren't you?"
"Yes. It was the only way I could get to any of you before I was able to take over the brat's body. The Doctor was the last victim of my nightmares; he knew too much and was getting in the way."
"The man in the car?"
"A mere convenience that had worn out its usefulness. The nurse was an obstacle that had to be removed; she was also my ticket out of that 'safe house'."
Sportacus couldn't understand what he was hearing, he didn't want to understand. He didn't know what to do. He couldn't fight Lily because he'd hurt Robyn but he also couldn't let his friends be killed.
"What a conundrum. Hurt me, hurt Robyn. Do nothing, your friends die. Such a difficult decision to make, brother." Lily's voice mocked. "You needn't worry, I'll have my revenge soon enough. I'll destroy this town and your friends."
Robyn/Lily walked closer to Sportacus and a wicked smile touched her lips, a smile Sportacus hoped he would never see his niece smile, "But first I'll start with you,"
With unnatural strength Robyn punched through Sportacus' ribs and tore his heart out. Sportacus fell to the ground as if in slow motion and the last thing he saw was Robyn smiling down at him.
With a silent scream Sportacus bolted upright in bed, sweat drenching him and his sheets. His breath came in rapid gasps and he was trying very hard to calm down. He tried feebly to shake off the nightmare he'd just had but the very thought of it made him tremble.