DISCLAIMER
Semi-inspired by "Nightmare On Elm Street". I only own characters you don't recognize. Slightly AU in that Emma never died, although Lexa still joined the team. Tana's name is pronounced with a short 'a' sound.
"The---Shadow?" Lexa questioned.
"The Shadow. I'm not quite sure what he is. He can---he can change shape, trap you---he's already killed a whole bunch of us," Scott answered shakily.
"Wait a minute. Everyone just calm down and someone explain to us what exactly is going on," Adam stated. Brennan sighed and straightened his shoulders.
"We were sixteen when it first happened. A friend of ours hadn't been sleeping well and when he told us about his nightmare, we realized we all had been having the dream," he stated.
"How is that possible?" Emma wondered.
"Apparently there was a killer that got turned into a spirit---or something---I don't really remember the story. Anyway, it came after us," Tana responded.
"I don't understand. What does he want with you?" Jesse questioned.
"Revenge or something. We don't know," Chrissy answered.
"Revenge. Why?" Adam asked.
"From what I recall, our parents encouraged the guy to be put to death by gas. I---guess it turned him into a spirit or something," Brennan stated.
"And he has the power to enter your dreams?" Lexa questioned. The small group nodded.
"Not only that. If you die...you don't wake up. You die for real," Scott stated.
"Wait. What?" Lexa asked. "How could you possibly die for real in a dream?" she queried.
"It's what he does. He makes you so twisted---too afraid to fall asleep, and then when you finally succumb---" Tana's voice trailed off.
"You die," Brennan whispered.
"Oh, come on. You don't actually---" Jesse began to object.
"Look what it did to me, Jess! You think I did this to myself?" Brennan interrupted, holding up his right arm.
"Oh, my. Let's get this taken care of," Adam stated. Brennan allowed the team leader to tend to his wound.
"Are you guys hungry?" Emma queried. The group nodded.
"Starving," Scott verbalized.
"Follow me. I'll get you guys some food," Emma told them. Tana, Scott, and Chrissy followed Emma to the kitchen.
"Brennan, I'd like to you...alone," Adam requested.
"I'm gonna---" Jesse began.
"Yeah, I think I'll---" Lexa said. The two walked off.
"What, Adam?" Brennan asked.
"I need you to tell me all you know about this shadow creature," Adam said.
"We just did," Brennan snapped.
"Brennan, scientifically---" Adam began.
"NO! Don't you say this isn't real because it's not backed up by science! Adam, the Shadow killed one of my best friends!" Brennan interrupted. "Man, you don't know what's it like---being afraid to fall asleep, worrying if your next nightmare is gonna be your last!" he continued. Adam stared at Brennan. The elemental was right. He didn't know what that kind of fear was like. But what Brennan and his friends were saying just didn't scientifically make any sense. But then again, in their line of work, anything was possible. He knew that better than anybody.
"Okay, you're right. I'm sorry," Adam apologized. In the kitchen, Emma watched as Chrissy, Scott, and Tana ate in silence.
"This is going to sound really stupid, but are you three all right?" Emma queried after a while.
"It's just---it's been the third night we've had to deal with this," Scott said.
"Oh. I'm sorry," Emma told them.
"I just---I don't want to die," Tana confessed.
"We won't let that happen," Emma assured. After they were done eating, Tana and Emma went to bed. The plan was for Tana and Chrissy to sleep in Emma's room while Scott bunked with Brennan. In the kitchen, Chrissy yawned. Then, she shook her head. She had to---she had to stay awake. It was---it was the only way she was going to survive. However, it soon proved to be a losing battle. She put her head on her arms and fell asleep.
Chrissy looked around. Where was she?
"Hello?" she asked.
"Chri---i---i---issy," a voice called. The girl tensed. It was here! He was here! She began to run. The was a sinister laugh.
"Yes. Run, Chrissy," the Shadow taunted. She quickened her pace.
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.
A black mist started trailing her. Then, it surrounded the girl. She gasped.
In his room, Brennan awoke with a start. Something was wrong. He could feel it. He rose from the bed and walked around Sanctuary. Then, he heard a moaning sound.
"Chrissy," he said in concern. He heard another moan and hurried towards the sound. She began screaming.
"NO!" The elemental ran towards the kitchen, where he saw her swaying from side to side as if being shaken.
"NO!" With another shout, Brennan ran to her. Then, he began shaking her himself.
"CHRISSY! COME ON, CHRIS! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!" he shouted.
"Brennan!" he heard Jesse shout.
"What's going on?" Adam asked.
"Chrissy!" Tana shrieked.
"Brennan, wake her up, man!" Scott cried.
"CHRISSY, YOU GOT WAKE UP! DON'T LET HIM TAKE YOU! WAKE UP! PLEASE!" Brennan exclaimed. Chrissy screamed. Brennan summoned his powers. A black mist began to cover her body and the elemental lashed out. Chrissy gave one last shriek and then slumped over, dead.
"No," Brennan said emotionally. Tana gasped and leaned into Scott.
"How is she?" Lexa asked.
"Dead," Brennan answered thickly. "Oh, man. I'm sorry, Chrissy. I'm so sorry, kiddo." He began to cry. The rest of the team stared, unsure of what to do.
