AN: Read as Alex has a nightmare and faces a familiar foe. Enjoy.

Chapter Seven: Sweat and Fear

Late at night in the Russo's home, Alex was sound asleep in her room, but she wasn't alone, not in the least. Out on the street, near Alex's window, Helsing and Merlin were outside, laughing softly and evilly. They had a really evil plan in store for Alex Russo.

"This is a Dream Cracker." Helsing said, holding up a small red orb. "With this device, you will be able to go into a person's dream of your choosing."

"We both aren't going in?" Merlin asked Helsing.

"No." Helsing said. "One of us need to stay out here to work it and to supervise."

"Okay, start it up." Merlin said. Helsing started the machine, and it let out a small glow. Merlin lightly touched the machine, and vanished. He later appeared in Alex's dream.

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Alex was walking in a forest surrounded by beautiful trees and flowers. She came to a bench and decided to take a seat. She let out a yawn, and continued to look at the beauty of this forest. Just as she closed her eyes to listen to the sounds of the forest...

"Hey, pretty." A voice all too familiar to her spoke softly in her ear. Alex's eyes shot open, and she slowly turned around, and saw him. Merlin was standing there, grinning evilly. The nice forest transformed into the area Alex was held captive in. Alex stumbled on the ground, desperately trying to get away from him, to no avail. Merlin grabbed her wrist, and brought her close.

"Please!" Alex screamed, continuing to struggle, trying to get away from him.

"How have you been, pretty?" Merlin said in a sick tone. "I have been unable to stop thinking about you. Ever since you shot me!"

Alex tried to get away, knowing that if he had his way, she would be dead.

"Your boyfriend isn't here to save you this time." Merlin hissed. "We have this home all to ourselves. Now let's have some fun."

Alex had to think fast. In a blink of an eye, Alex kicked Merlin in the shin, and ran up the steps. She closed the door behind her, and ran outside.

"I'm going to get you! You can't escape from me!" Merlin called after her. Alex broke out into a dead run. She kept running up a street until she ran into a 50- foot high dead end. She turned around, and to her horror, Merlin caught up with her. This time, he was holding a big knife.

"Now, this is going to be your end." Merlin said as her approached her. "It's too bad, really. You were so pretty." Merlin raised the knife, and Alex braced herself for the blow that was coming.

It never did.

Alex opened her eyes, and saw that a boy about her age. He was dressed in a black cloak, and he had a strong grip on Merlin.

"You will never learn, will you?" The boy hissed at Merlin.

"Since you got in my way, I guess I'll just have to kill you too!" Merlin hissed. The boy had his entire right arm taped. The boy pushed Merlin away, and pulled out a very strange looking sword. Alex remembered that sword

"Sword of Souls!" The boy exclaimed. The blast created a rift, and Merlin was shot through it. Alex let out a sigh of relief, knowing she was out of danger, at least for the moment.

"Thanks." Alex said. "You saved me."

"Again." The boy said.

"Wait, that sword, are you..." Alex began. The boy turned around, and lowered his hood.

"David." Alex whispered. Alex hugged him tightly. She started to cry lightly into his shoulder.

"Shh. It's all right." David said patting her lightly.

"I'm sorry, for everything." Alex said through tears. "You were so good to me, and I treated you like you were nothing."

"Don't worry." David said softly. "Listen, I need you to look out for my sister while I'm gone. Oh, and don't worry, I won't be gone for long." David smiled at her, and walked away. Alex looked at him walking away, and muttered to him.

"I love you."

AN: Wow. Okay, next chapter, Alex and Lynn confront Gigi and her crew again. Read and enjoy!