"Sabrina, there's something I want to talk to you about."

I looked up at my mom, who had her hands on her hips and a bright smile on her face. I was sitting on the sofa in our living room, a book on my lap and a quilt pulled all the way up to my chest. Mom plucked my Alice out of my hands and placed it on the coffee table so she would have my undivided attention.

"Um...what is it?"

Mom sat down next to me and wrapped her arm around my waist, resting my head on her shoulder. I started to get nervous. She wasn't the cuddly type.

"Sabrina, one day, you'll meet somebody." Mom said, her voice barely above a whisper, as though she was telling me a secret. "Somebody who will want to protect you, cherish you, and want to be with you forever and ever." Her voice started to crack with emotion. "When that time comes, you'll leave to be with the man who loves you, and who you love just as much. And your father and I will give you our blessing."

She leaned over and kissed my forehead, making me feel like a child again. She whispered in my ear, "He will love you, because...

"...Because..."

"Sabrina!"

I gasped as someone grabbed my wrist, pulling me away from my mother. The image of her faded away into black and was replaced with a strange mirage of lights. I whipped around and came face-to-face with Nightmare. He was still holding my wrist tightly, as if afraid I'd disappear. He looked really worried.

"Nightmare..." I whispered, feeling my whole body relax. A memory. I was dreaming about a memory.

"Did you have a bad dream, Sabrina?" He asked, brushing my hair out of my eyes.

"Y-yeah." I murmured, leaning into his hand. It was warm and soft. "It was about my Mum. I miss her a lot." What had she said? "He will love you because..."? I can't remember what she said after that...

"Don't worry. I'm here. I won't let you have a bad dream again." Although I knew he could hear my thoughts, he didn't say anything about it. Without thinking, I put my forehead on his chest, tears stinging my eyes. I could sense his suprise, but he put his arms around me anyway, holding me close to him.

My oldest brother, Dillon, had only held me once, but Nightmare's hug was kind of like that. Brotherly, I mean. A perfect big brother is what Nightmare was.

"You seem to be enjoying life with the Hatter's, Sabrina." He said, rubbing my back with long, even strokes. "Are comfortable there? Even after learning what they do for their work?"

"Yes," I murmured, my voice muffled by his clothes. "I'm going to live there until I go back home. When I wake up from this dream." I touched the vial around my neck, feeling its warmth against my cold fingers.

"I see. Then that's what it is." I had no idea what he was talking about, but I didn't really care. I was still thinking about the day my mother had talked to me about...what? "You know, it's my wish that you'll grow to love this world." Nightmare gently yanked me away from him so he could look at me. "The people here all love you and want you to be happy. That's what we all want for you."

"That's sweet," I sniffled, rubbing my eyes. "But I still want to go home. I can't stay."

He looked crushed for a moment, but he was smiling just as quickly. "I understand. You will go home eventually, so you need to make the most out of your life here!" Nightmare patted my head. "If you ever have a bad dream again, just call for me, and I'll come. Now, it's time for you to wake up."

He pressed his hand against my forehead and when I opened up my eyes, I was staring up at the ceiling of my bedroom, tucked under my thick blankets. I groaned and sat up, wiping crusts out of my eyes. Pale morning sunlight spilled into my room through the windows and I knew it was time to get up for work.

While I was tying on the small hat that completed my maid outfit, I heard voices yelling and cursing from outside. I recongized one of the voices as Elliot's but the other one I didn't know. I could hear guns going off and I started to freak out a little. Was it one of the mafia's enemies?

I unbolted my window and poked my head out, spotting Elliot near the gates pointing his gun and yelling at...

Is that...Jonathan?!

Short chapter is short, but hopefully meaningful. In case if you guys haven't guessed, I really do love Nightmare. Though Elliot will always be my number one favorite 3. Ooh, my first cliffy~ Who is this mysterious Jonathan character? You will have to find out in the next chapter!

A big thank-you to Slashingfruit101 for welcoming me back! I missed being here!

Laters, gee! :P