It was another nightmare, another variant of the same dream that had kept Jason awake for countless nights since the accident. He knew it was a nightmare, but knowledge alone didn't help. Jason willed himself to move, to force his limbs into action. It was no use. His breathing remained slow and rhythmic.

I'm asleep, he thought. I'm asleep and I can't wake up. I'm trapped inside my own body.

It was a horrifying realization. Jason tried to soothe himself using words, his only weapon.

It's just a dream. I can get myself out of this if I really want to.

He tried to force himself awake by mentally flinging his body to the floor. Jason could visualize his arms moving beneath his body, pushing his chest from the bed, but there was no resistance. He couldn't feel anything. He couldn't make his body move. Then his mind slipped and the world fell out of focus.

The cliff was steeper now, in his dreams. He could see Keyop far below, taunting him.

Come and get me, Jason! Come and get me!

Keyop was running across the white sand toward the ocean, looking back at him and laughing. Jason watched in horror as a huge mecha arose from the ocean. Water poured from the giant crab as it clawed its way onto the beach. Metallic legs ripped gaping holes through the sand dunes. Shiny pinchers opened and closed in anticipation of the kill. Keyop was laughing, oblivious to the danger.

Keyop! Jason tried to yell. He tried to fly, but it was no use. He was frozen at the edge of the precipice. Jason couldn't feel his body. He couldn't move.

The mechanical crab drew closer. The larger of the two claws grabbed Keyop by the head and lifted him into the sky. Jason could read fear in the little boy's eyes as the claw began moving toward the crab's mouth. Keyop's laughing turned shrill and he began to scream.

Save me, Jason! Save me!

Keyop! Jason could feel the sensation of flight, but it was nothing like flying in birdstyle.

I'm falling, he realized. This is what it feels like to fall …

Jason awoke to searing pain. Heart pounding, he found himself in a heap on the floor, clutching his ankle. He sat, stunned, as reality slowly formed around him.

It was a dream. It was a dream, but I'm still living a nightmare.

He could hear Mark running down the hallway. "Jason! Are you all right?" Mark pounded on his door.

"Yeah. Just a minute." Jason rose and took a deep breath. It was just a bad dream, he told himself. I'm fine.

He limped to the door and released the lock. The door slid open to reveal Mark, his hair standing on end. The left half of his face bore a pillow crease.

"Are you all right? I thought I heard you fall." Jason noticed that Mark looked worried. He had seen this look of concern on his commander's face far too often lately.

"I'm fine."

When Mark's expression didn't change, Jason knew his words rang hollow.

"I, um, forgot about my ankle." He didn't realize how dumb it would sound until he heard the words out loud. Jason could feel his face growing warm.

Mark finally relaxed. He started to laugh as he patted Jason on the shoulder. "That must have been some dream you were having."

"It was." Jason pulled away from Mark and sat down on the bed. He could feel Mark's gaze on him.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Do I ever want to talk about it? He noted with dismay that Mark was waiting patiently for an answer.

"Have you ever had one of those dreams where you think you're awake but you can't move?" Jason wrapped his arms around his left knee and propped his chin on top.

Mark looked thoughtful. "Not often, but I know what you're talking about. Sleep paralysis, I think it's called. The Chief and I talked about it once. It can be brought on by stress." He sat down next to Jason on the bed and studied him more closely. "Is that what happened to you tonight?"

I don't want to talk about it! Jason turned away from Mark's gaze and swallowed. "Yes," he admitted softly.

Mark shrugged. "It's not surprising. You've been under a lot of pressure lately."

"It's not that. I just…" Jason wished he could say the words out loud but he wasn't even sure where to start. I just want things to go back to normal. I want to be the person I used to be. I don't know if I can do this. He gave Mark a look of sheer despair.

Mark read the frustration, if not the message. His tone changed immediately and Jason recognized it as Mark's pep talk voice. "Things are going to be all right, Jason. Your ankle will heal in time for your fitness exam. You've already come through so much. The Chief told me your last physical went fine …"

Only because I downplayed my problems, Jason thought grimly. He shut his eyes. Jason realized that Mark hadn't noticed because he continued his speech unabated.

"… After your ankle heals, we'll resume training and things will be better than before. This time we'll finish off Zoltar once and for all!"

Jason knew that Mark was trying to sound triumphant, but the speech sounded tired and rehearsed. He opened his eyes to look at his teammate, but Mark's face was impassive.

Do you really believe that? Jason wanted to ask, but he was afraid of the answer. He tried to suppress the next thought, but it crept into his consciousness unbidden.

Because if you still believe in me, I can get through this. But if you don't … I don't know what I'm going to do.