Chapter Three - Nightmare's Awakening

Robin sighed keeping her head down during the drive towards headquarters. She frequently felt Miho's eyes on her, and it urked her in an unfamiliar way. She held her hands in her lap, biting her lip. She covered one of her hands with the other trying to hide the fact that she was shaking. What was that back at the hospital? Was she really just hallucinating? Maybe she was just tired. Yeah, that was it. No, she had been resting for hours. Ugh, she just couldn't understand it.

Karasuma looked over and frowned. "Are you sure you're alright, Robin?" She asked.

Robin turned to her, forcing another fake smile. "Yes, I'm alright." She nodded.

Karasuma turned her attention back to the interstate, debating whether not to believe her or not. "Maybe it would be best if you did take off a few days."

"No." She said, plain and simple. "I won't allow you and Amon to be out there alone."

Karasuma smiled softly. "So you're saying you don't want us to have all the fun?" She turned to see Robin's seriousness and swallowed hard, the smile disappearing as quickly as it appeared. "I am sure we can handle one night without you. We'll be fine. I'll ask Amon, but it would be the best.. For your own good."

I know what's best for me. Robin thought to herself, but said nothing. I don't want to be alone. I'm scared. She looked through the raindrop ridden window watching the world pass her by. She looked up to the sky watching the dark velvet-like clouds dance across the midnight moon. She stayed silent, her eyes caught on the raindrops of the transparent window that blurred her vision to the outside world.

It all seemed like a dream. For the first time in her life, she was actually really scared. Scared of the unknown and impending future. What would happen? Would these hallucinations continue? Would they grow worse and more violent? She let out a small breath and leaned back into the car seat, letting her head lay back on the soft and gentle fabric of the seat.

After a few moments, she looked over to Karasuma who had suddenly became quiet. What would really happen if she told them? Would they think she went insane? Would they think she was overacting, or being a drama queen? Would they believe her? She diverted her eyes back towards the window. She could tell that Karasuma knew she was staring at her. I don't know, she thought to herself.

Soon they were back at head quarters and silence still ran between them. Robin's eyes seemed even more exhausted then before. She pushed the car door open and slammed it shut, feeling the raindrops damp her black dress. The only sound that echoed was the wind in her hear. It was so peaceful, but she didn't seem at ease.

Miho followed her into the building, her hands in her jacket pocket. She looked to Robin from behind and she could tell there was something major bothering her. But if she wanted to talk about it, then she would. She didn't want to force her into anything.

Amon looked up from the computer screen, seeing Robin walk into the room. "Are you alright?" He asked without even knowing it. Just looking at her painful expressions made him wince. He hated seeing her like this -- it was almost like he could feel it as well.

Robin looked up from the floor forcing another smile. "Yes.. Yes, I'm fine!" She said a little annoyed and frazzled by them asking constantly. She sighed and sat beside Michael.

"Hello, Robin." Michael smiled, pulling the headphones from his ears. "I'm glad you're feeling better."

"Thank you, Michael." She looked to Sakaki and Doujima.

Karasuma looked to Amon with a worried frown, one that she had been wearing since Halloween night. Amon noticed. He pushed himself up from the chair and walked into the briefing room with Miho as Robin watched with a curious eye.

"I don't think she's ready for this mission tonight. Not right after she almost got killed." Karasuma said looking over the information of this mission in front of her. "I don't think it's a good idea."

Amon nodded. "She's a big girl; she can take care of herself." He said coldly.

"I don't think so!" She snapped back.

Amon's eyes narrowed. "She's 17, Miho. She's not a little girl anymore." He looked back to the screen staring at the face of the newest target.

"She was almost killed last night! At least give her a bit more rest!"

"If she wants it!" Amon sighed. He was tired of listening to Miho's whining so he ignored her for the time being as Michael, Doujima, Sakaki, and Robin walked into the Briefing Room. He looked over their faces and looked back down.

"The media, unfortunately, knew about this case before we did." Michael said as they all sat. "A local law officer was found dead in his home. There were no physical injury, and he was in almost perfect health. Witnesses say there was a woman that came to his apartment right before he was found dead. We have identified this woman as Naomi Regonald." Her face popped up on the screen. "She was in the STNJ database as a seed; her powers had just awakened."

Miho sighed. "And she's already starting to kill people." She shook her head.

Robin was half listening to what they were saying. Her eyes were staring off into the dark oblivion of her mind as she thought of the images in her head. Would they ever go away?

"Robin," Amon said for the third time. "Robin!"

She snapped her head up. "Huh?" She looked around. "Oh, um.. Hai?" She knew what was coming as she looked into Amon's eyes. "I want to go on this mission. I am fine. I don't need anymore rest. It's been a week. I've had enough." She swallowed hard, not saying the real reason. "Please, Amon?"

Amon looked down for a moment. "Fine.. You will come with us. But you will be staying either close to me or Miho. You're choice." He pushed himself from the chair and walked out, leaving the rest of them in silence.

Robin looked to Miho which had a face of disappointment and worry. She turned away and walked out as well. Why couldn't Miho just stop worrying so much? She wasn't a child. She wrapped her arms around herself and sat in the back of the car silently.

Karasuma reluctantly got into the front seat along with Amon as Sakaki pulled himself into the seat next to Robin.

He smiled over to her, placing his hands in his pockets. It was cold weather to them, frigid and nipping at their skin with a deadly curiosity but she felt nothing.

Amon stepped out of the car reaching their destination after reloading the .9 MM with orbo-filled bullets. Miho and Sakaki did the same, leaving Robin in the car alone for a moment. She looked up, watching them spread around the area.

She clenched her fists and closed her eyes. Her breathing became eratic and heavy. Maybe she should have stayed at the head quarters, maybe it would have been better. She jumped hearing a knock at the window and opened her eyes to see Amon with a worried look on his face.

She gathered herself trying to keep her mind off the images in her head and stepped from the car putting the glasses on the bridge of her nose. If she didn't think about them, she wouldn't be bothered by them. Right?

She forced a smile to Amon as he led her away into the darkness, keeping a close eye on her this time. She walked along the street, the small streams of newly fallen water tracing her feet. She kept to Amon, a few feet away.

Her mind was suddenly stolen away from her as her vision started fading in and out of focus. Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat. That voice. No, it couldn't be. No. She closed her eyes. It's not real. It's just a dream. Wake up! Wake up! She yelled to herself. She watched as Amon walked away, yelling that he had spotted the witch.

There was that feeling again -- like she couldn't move an inch. She could barely even breath. Over and over again that voice echoed in her ears. You'll taste great. It came again and it seemed like he was right beside her, behind her, in front of her. Her eyes widened and she forced herself out the fake trance and took a step forward. Amon was already out of sight. "A-Amo-." Her heart was pounding against of her chest so hard she thought she was going to faint. She fell to the ground, tears running down the side of her cheeks. Fear was creeping through her so did tremors and the shakes. "NO!" She screamed. It was like he was touching her, letting his breath trace over the damp skin on her forehead and neck.

She threw herself up. "Amon!" She said as loud as she could, hoping that he heard her. She screamed, being thrown against the wall face first as her head was pulled back. "No.." She closed her eyes. ".. It's only a dream." She whispered.

He pushed his body into hers, letting his hands roam down her wet, slim fascinating body as it shivered. He threw her around and threw his pelvis into hers as hard as he could. "Oh yes, you will taste great."

Tears ran from her eyes as she tightened them shut. "NO!" She screamed again and the pressure on her body was gone -- it had disappeared into nothingness. She opened her eyes just to see the lightning flash across the dark night sky like white spider legs. Her body hurt, ached. Every single part of her body, it throbbed without any end. She dropped to the ground, sobbing silently.

It was all just a dream. It had to be. But, it seemed so real. What was happening to her?