Chapter #8 Into the Realm of Nightmares

Sharlene moaned as her head started to pound. Pound so hard it hurts to open her eyes. She slowly turned on to her side and open her eyes to see she was in her room. She winced as she saw the sunlight shine through the window and stretch across the room to her bed. She shield her eyes from the light and turned over again so her back is facing the window. She had a nagging feeling that something was wrong. It took about five minutes for her brain to fully wake up and register what happened before she passed out. She was at work, getting the ingredients for todays' special when she saw a bright light then darkness. But where did it come from...wait.

"Heather." she growled as she sat up.

Her sister did this. She used her Imagination Gem to make her fall asleep and bring her home. But if that was true then how come she wasn't trapped in her sleep like she was last night? Then suddenly, she was engulfed in bright light which made her glow for a second before disappearing.

"What the Heck was that?" she asked out loud, staring at her hands.

"Hey, Sharlene, you're up."

She turned to see her twin and the small dragon standing (in Figment's case hovering) near the door. She blinked a few times in confusion.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I'm fine." Sharlene said. She has to admit, she did feel better then she did this morning. But why she able to wake up this time? Has Paul given up or was it a dream?

"What happened?"

"You..." Heather pinched Figment's arm before he could start. She shook her head when he was about to ask her why she pinched him. He quickly understood and said. "...passed out at work. Heather brought you back and asked for a day off to take care of you."

He felt bad for lying, but he and Heather knew that telling Sharlene what really happen wasn't a good idea at the moment. She needed to sleep and telling her Heather knocked her out with her Imagination Gem would only make her want to stay up more until Paul gives up and torments someone else.

"How'd you sleep?" Heather asked.

"I...slept great." Sharlene said. "Better then I did in days. But why didn't Paul try and trap me again."

"I used my gem to form a sheild to protect you against him." Heather answered.

Sharlene mentally snapped herself. Why didn't she think of that in the first place last night?

"So, now what?" she asked. "Paul's not going to stop because he couldn't get me while I was sleeping earlier."

"You're right." Figment said. "Since Paul sents his time in his realm now. Our only chance to stop him is in the realm itself."

"Wait you're suggesting we travel to the Realm of Nightmares itself?" Heather asked. "That's out of the question."

"Yeah, if the realm is like the Dreamport. He can control it like he did when he took over months ago. And knowing him, he's probably gained more power over time."

"He has gain power." Figment said. "A lot of it from the Forbidden Area."

"Swell."

Heather nodded in agreement. Then she realized something.

"Wait, Paul's been bothering me in my dreams a few times. Why is he after you all the time?"

"I think it's because she fought him before when you were held captive back in March." Figment said. "He thinks Sharlene is a bigger threat then you are and is trying to..."

"Kill me in my dreams." Sharlene finished.

"Don't think like that, Sharlene." Heather snapped. "There has to be a way to stop him. We can't let him do this to you."

"You're right." Sharlene said as she stood up. "We must stop him. And we'll do it on his turf."

Heather's jaw dropped. "You're suggesting..."

"Yes, Heather I am suggesting we go to the Realm of Nightmares and stop Paul."

A few minutes, Heather and Sharlene stood in front of the closet door in the hall. They were waiting for Figment, who was in the Dreamport, to come back so they can open the portal and get to the Realm of Nightmares. Then the small dragon flew out of the closet and hovered in air in front of the girls.

"So, you got what you were looking for?" Heather asked.

"Sure did." Figment said with glee.

He snapped his fingers and a medium sized white orb appeared in his palm.

"What is it?" Sharlene asked.

"It's something that'll stop Paul from bothering us again." Figment replied. "Once inside, he'll never escape."

"Great, we'll just have to get close enough and weaken him long enough to trap him."

"Alright then." Sharlene said as she rolled up her sleeve to reveal her Imagination Gem. "Let's go."

Heather nodded and rolled up her sleeve. The twins concentrated hard and the gems glowed brightly. The door glowed brightly for a second before it and the gems stopped glowing again. Sharlene carefully reached for the knob and slowly turned it. Here goes she thought as she pulled open the door. The trio step back as they saw a dark cave-like tunnel in front of them.

"Well." Sharlene thought. "Here goes."

She stared at the passageway before she walked over the threshold and into the tunnel. Heather and Figment exchange looks before they too followed suit.