DARKNESS FALLS
DISCLAIMER
Semi-inspired by "Nightmare On Elm Street" and the dream part is somewhat similar, including the jump rope song. Slightly AU in that Emma never died, although Lexa still joined the team. Takes place after "Assault" without the weird ending. Written mainly 'cuz I've hit writer's block for my Smallville fic.
CHAPTER ONE: HE'S BACK
Brennan was running. He couldn't let it find him. He couldn't get taken again.
"Brennan," a voice whispered. There was a laugh. "Brennan," the voice whispered again. As he ran, Brennan heard a jump rope song.
One, two, Shadow's comin' for you.
Three, four, better block the door.
Five, six, use a cruxifix.
Seven, eight, it's way too late.
Nine, ten, never seen again.
The mutant kept running. Suddenly, a black mist surrounded him.
"No," Brennan said in fear. He tried to move, but found himself immobile.
"Brennan," a voice chuckled.
"No. No, no, no. Don't!" Brennan cried. Through the mist, a claw came out and slowly slashed Brennan's arm. He screamed.
"Brennan!" Lexa Pierce's voice and a strong slap brought Brennan Mulwrey out of his nightmare.
"Hey, you all right?" she questioned in concern as he sat up.
"Yeah. It was---it was just a nightmare," Brennan panted. She reached out to touch his right arm.
"Well, good. I---" Lexa trailed off when she felt the stickiness. "Oh, my gosh. Brennan, your arm," she said. Brennan followed her gaze to see a deep scratch.
"Then it was real," he said dully.
"Brennan, what?" Lexa questioned.
"Lexa, don't tell anybody else about this. I've gotta go," Brennan said quickly. He pushed her away and began to leave his bed.
"Brennan, where are you going?" Lexa wondered.
"I've---I've gotta go. I've gotta know if I'm the only one," Brennan said, as he hurriedly got dressed.
"Brennan, where are you going?" Lexa demanded.
"None of your business, Lexa," Brennan snapped. With that, he stomped away. Meanwhile, the other members of Mutant X had been awakened by Brennan's cries and had come out of their rooms to investigate.
"Brennan," Adam Kane stated.
"Look Adam, something's happened and I've gotta go," Brennan said.
"Brennan, what is it?" Emma DeLauro questioned.
"I'm sorry, Emma. Can't tell ya," Brennan responded. Emma focused her energy towards the elemental. The wave of pain and fear coursing through him nearly knocked the woman off her feet.
"Brennan, are you okay?" she asked in concern.
"I'm fine, Emma. Just---just let me do this, all right?" Brennan snapped. They watched as he walked out of Sanctuary.
"He's not okay," Emma told them.
"What do you mean?" Shalimar Fox asked.
"I read Brennan as he walked out---the pain and the fear---I've never felt those emotions so strong from him before. I mean, whatever just happened, spooked him badly," Emma replied.
"Lexa, what exactly did happen?" Adam wondered.
"I woke up to Brennan screaming, so I went into his room to check on him. He was having some kind of nightmare. I woke him up and he seemed fine...until I noticed a scratch on his right arm," Lexa answered.
"Did Brennan say anything?" Adam asked.
"He said, 'Then it was real'. Whatever that was supposed to mean," Lexa reported. Meanwhile, Brennan was in the Double Helix, on his cellphone.
"Yeah, it's me. Look, we got a problem. He's back," he said. He listened for a few minutes. "Yes, I'm sure! I have the scratch to prove it! Have the others meet us at the place---our place," he continued. Then, he hung up and headed for the seedier side of town. He continued driving until he reached an abandoned warehouse. He walked and waited. A few minutes later, he heard a car engine. Then, three other people---a guy and two women---walked in.
"Brennan, what's going on?" the guy asked.
"Scott, good to see you, man," Brennan stated. They hugged briefly.
"You said he's back? The Shadow's back?" one of the women asked fearfully.
"I'm afraid so, Tana. I figured you'd guys want to know," Brennan replied.
"Brennan, we barely survived his last attack. What do we do?" the other woman questioned in the same tone as Tana.
"Chrissy, please remain calm. You know that's imperative to our survival," Brennan reminded her. "Now, has anyone else had any of the dreams?" he questioned. Scott and Tana raised their hands.
"Same stuff as usual?" Brennan queried.
"Being chased, the mist following us, getting hurt," Scott said.
"We need to figure something out. We need to figure out how he's back. Then we need to figure out how to stay alive," Chrissy determined.
"Right," Brennan agreed.
"First we have to get someplace safe," Tana said.
"Follow me. I know a place," Brennan replied. Without a word, Scott, Chrissy, and Tana followed Brennan.
"Wow. Check it out," Scott gasped.
"Get in," Brennan ordered as the door to the helicopter opened. The trio did so. "Now, I'm going to have to do something to you guys and I'm going need you all to remain calm," he continued.
"Huh?" they asked. Brennan simply put a small white patch on the side of their heads. Each gasped as their visions were surrounded by whiteness.
"Hey! I can't see!" Tana exclaimed fearfully.
"Relax. It's only temporary," they heard Brennan soothe. Minutes later, Brennan landed in Sanctuary, where he removed the blinders.
"Okay. Here we are," he announced. Then, "Adam, I've got friends comin' in." Without waiting for a reply, Brennan led the others into the building.
"Are they like us?" Lexa questioned.
"No," Brennan answered.
"Then why are they here?" Shalimar wondered.
"Because we're all in danger," Scott replied.
"Danger from what?" questioned Adam.
"He's---he's back. I don't know how, but he's back," Scott said in fright.
"Who?" Adam asked.
"The Shadow," Brennan replied fearfully.
