Cackling chuckles...brushing claws on satin skin...torn flesh bleeding...golden eyes of fire, burning with desire and madness...
Hissing breath. Bloodlust clawing at my chest, ever seeking the light within.
...You're mine...

I shot forward, sketchy breathing skulking up my throat as the blanket pooled onto my lap. I clutched at my ruffled shirt, hitched up my stomach by my late night stirring. Collar bone damp with sweat, I felt a wave of relief swelling in my chest I realized there was no blood. Collapsing back against the swan feather pillows, I gritted my teeth.
So real, so vivid. Just like all the rest. Why couldn't my past vanish? Why haunt my dreams? Had I not suffered enough?
Something cool and wet slid down my cheek. Only when the pillow beneath my head started shaking did I notice the broken sobs shaking my shoulder, catching the breath in my throat – chocking me.
Go away.

After the tears ceased to fall, it became quite obvious that I wasn't going to be able to get back to sleep. At the back of my mind, the nightmares were still fresh and haunting. I'd just need to close my eyes and they would be back in full force, depriving me of sleep.
Walking the dreary halls, only one thought came to mind.
I had my work cut out for me - that much was for certain. The carpeted flooring beneath my bare feet felt so filthy; dust mites and mold – jeez, that's so gross! Not a healthy blend. I'm surprised the walls weren't rotted as well.
Fastening my fingers to my upper lip, blocking off my nose, I tried to clear my senses of the dew-like smell. Spider webs, dust, mold, and dampness. I was gonna have a full day of cleaning on my hands.

"Hey!" a high-pitched, squealing voice made me stumble over my own feet, "What are you doing here?"
I turned back, squinting through the darkness as a hopping lamp bounced its way towards me. Hanging onto its handle, glaring at me with its beady black and white eyes was a...duck?
"Uuh..."
"Well?" the little white duck crossed his feathery arms over his puffed-up chest, making me feel rather small, despite me being at least a foot or two taller. Tapping his flat yellow feet against the floor irritably, I took a moment to question the logic of having a duck, which not only talked, but could also wear clothes.
"I..couldn't sleep," it was truth enough, "I didn't mean to cause any harm, I just wanted to have maybe a little look around."
He quirked a questioning brow at me, stubbornly setting his bill as he halted his tapping foot. Was I not allowed to leave my room?

"Well...this part of the castle is off limits to staff," he sighed, his stance slowly easing up. He looked... almost regretful, "if you'd like, I could take you to the kitchen for some hot coco?"
Biting my lip, I nodded rigidly. The young duck turned, flat feet flopping against the vulgar carpet as I took a glance over my shoulder in the direction I had been heading. The fading light casted flickering shadows upon a pair of ceiling-high mahogany doors. The forbidden room...
Why had I come to find it here? Driving away my curiosity, I turned, ripping myself free from its alluring form to follow after the light.

It wasn't long after that we arrived to find Aeris busying herself by the kitchen stove. Stray curls draped wearily over her brow as she stirred a new masterpiece. She must not have had a good night's rest if she was already up. What reason was there for her to overlook sleep? Certainly breakfast could wait till the sun rose from the everlasting horizon.
"Aeris," the duck squawked softly in surprise, "why are you up so early?"
Brushing aside her fringe, she smiled tiredly at us, the shadows of restlessness hanging beneath her evergreen eyes. "Oh, Donald. Good morning."
The duck, Donald, furrowed his brow in sadness. Obviously, this wasn't the first time Aeris had done this. I bit my lip; I really should have stayed behind last time to help her, even through her discount for it.
"Good morning, Aeris." I said, drawing her eyes to me, the flash of the kitchen light revealed the red in her eyes, stirring my guilt.
"Oh, Danny, I didn't see you there," I could clearly see why, "shouldn't you still be resting?"
"Couldn't sleep..."
"Oh, dear, lemme make you some hot chocolate." she said, her eyes brightening. She took pleasure in helping others, I could see that clearly now, "Take a seat, it'll be right up."

Donald blew out his lamp as he flopped over to the bench and stools. I stifled a giggle as the duck struggled to reach the top of the bench, straining upwards on his tippy-flippers. I rushed over to his side, "Here - let me."
Grasping the lamp, I easily placed it onto the bench. Donald's bill slipped into a rather conspicuous, irritated, pout. He had not wanted my help, no matter how much of a struggle it was.
"Donald..."
I heard the warning edge in Aeris' voice. Yet she had not turned around from the stove to see what had transpired. How could she know?
Donald unfolded his arm-like wings, looking bashfully up at me, "Thank you."
I smiled, "You're welcome, Donald."
I don't know how it was possible, but I swear a burning tint of red started to burn under the white down of Donald's cheeks before he leapt onto one of the stools. He was so adorable, despite his cold demeanour. Seating myself, I watched as Aeris slipped gracefully from one side of the kitchen to the other, grabbing milk, chocolate powder and sugar. The boiling pot squealed in a puff of steam, making me jump a little.

"Aeris," Donald, after a few twitching moments, said, "did you get any sleep at all?"
She froze in front of the pot, the shoulder held stiffly. "Little master needed some help..."
Help? With what? I thought, tell of Sora pricking my curiosity.
"Again?" Donald asked. I could see him giving me a sidelong glance out the corner of my eye.
"Danny, could you grab a few saucers from the dining room for me?" still Aeris had yet to turn around. But I knew what was to be said here was not meant for my ears.
"Of course." I forged a carefree smile as I slipped out of the door, scanning the room for the saucers' cupboard. Crouching down in front of the cupboard by the door, I seized three for us. Would they be finished now? Biting my lip, I glided over to the kitchen door, easing it open enough to see Donald and Aeris.
"...it was worse this time, Donald." the tone in Aeris' voice tore at my heart, so much worry and pain...
Without another word, Aeris removed the jacket from her shoulders. I slapped my hand over my lips to stop a gasp of horror. A crusted gash was embedded into the flesh of Aeris' right shoulder, purple and yellow bruising bordered her entire upper arm. The jacket had hid this from me perfectly, I never would have known. What on earth had caused this? What...or who would harm one such as Aeris?

Donald's eyes widened. "What is triggering this?" he said as he fumbled around in his blue jacket, "the episodes have been getting worse."
Fishing out a teardrop bottle of green matter, Donald grasped Aeris arm - careful of the bruising - before pouring its contents over the fist sized wound. Hissing in pain, Aeris gritted her teeth as I watched in amazement. The skin was mending. Spider web threads of skin were melding over the wound, gradually bonding the flesh back together. The purple bruising was fading, turning yellow, before disappearing altogether. In no time at all, it was like the gash had never been there. Flawlessly tanned, satin skin had taken its place as Aeris thanked the young duck, slipping the jacket tenderly back on.
"I could see Sora was struggling to control it," Aeris slowly continued, "but it just wouldn't let him go. It's gotten stronger."
Stronger? What has gotten stronger? Was Sora hurt by it too? I couldn't help the panic that moulded itself to my heart, constricting it painfully.
Donald looked at his twirling thumbs. He was clearly worried about something.

Knowing that if I took much longer to show up, they would notice my long absence, I straightened, slipping through the door with a smile on my face. They both slipped on their false pretences as I entered the room.
"Found them." I said cheerfully, placing the mats onto the bench as Donald settled down onto his own stool again while Aeris poured the water for the hot chocolate.
"Thank you, Danny." Aeris said as she placed each of our cups onto the mats. One gulp of the scent was enough to water my mouth at its musky sweetness. Two soft pink marshmallows floated on top of the steaming drink as I brought it to my lips.
Warmth settled into my limbs, numbing the tips of my toes as I moaned in delight. "Gosh, Aeris, this is simply wonderful." I greedily took another drag of hot chocolate.
"Why, thank you, Danny." She was truly happy as she watched me enjoy the hot beverage while she sipped at her own.

Donald, however, was gorging down the chocolate like root bear. I watched, frozen, waiting for the inevitable reaction to ensue from drinking the boiling chocolate like he was. Slamming down the mug onto his place mat, Donald sighed through his chocolate moustached beak. It wasn't long till the furrow was back between the white duck's brow, the glistening in his eyes grew brighter as stray tears started to fall down his plush red cheeks.

Chest heaving, Donald panted out a gust of hot air as his eyes turned red, tongue lapping out at the cool air to try and stop the burn. All this happened in a matter of three seconds before the red roasted duck was off the stool and screaming round the kitchen.
"Water!" he squealed so loud it was hard to understand, "Water! Water! Water! Water!" Limbs rapidly tossing about, Donald fanned his gapping mouth as I dropped my cup and rushed for the sink, grasping his empty mug. Filling it to the brim with cool liquid, I locked Donald into the crook of my arm before pouring the water down his gullet. The burning red settled from his cheeks and neck as the water took its effect on Donald's throat.

Once the water was done, the duck released a cool sigh of relief. I affectionately stroked the poor duck's brow, feeling so protective of this little guy felt strange yet...natural to me. Donald's beak hitched up his cheeks as he smiled sheepishly at me, scratching his temple nervously while he chuckled, "Errr...thank you."
"You're very welcome, Donald." I laughed lightly, pulling him to his feet, "Just, be more careful with what you choose to chug down your throat next time, okay?"
His head snapped over to the boiling pot of chocolate on the stove top and glared with fire in his eyes, muttering incomprehensible things under his breath. Something told me the pot was in for some major remodelling.

Aeris giggled as the blood of embarrassment continued to fuel Donald's temper. I did the only thing I could think of to calm him down at that moment – it was rash, but it was worth a try. Sliding down to rest on my knees in front of Donald, I reached my arms round the plump, white duck, drawing him to me like a teddy bear. He was certainly soft enough to feel like one. Immediately, the muttering stopped. I smiled as the duck stiffened in my arms, the burning face resting against my neck calming, settling back to normal.
"All better?" I teased as I drew back, staring into his big button eyes.
He nodded without really registering that he was, staring at me like I was the most fascinating thing to cross his path. Like a dazzled-eyed baby. Maybe a hug was the wrong move?

Smiling despite myself, I released Donald, pulling myself up and sat myself back onto my stool. Finishing my cup of hot chocolate, Aeris smiled in approval. I had done the right thing. Thank goodness.

My straying eyes noticed the gradual build in light filtering through the kitchen window. Hues of brilliant red and orange swept the granite floors, colouring the walls. Sunrise.
The warmth that had seemingly settled into my heart with our time together was rinsed away along with the rising sun. Time to get to work.
"Thanks again, Aeris - for the lovely treat," I said, slipping the empty cup into the sink, "I'll be right back after I set up the table."

Grabbing a cloth and polish, I set to work preparing the dining room. Eight o'clock was breakfast time. I had, at the very least, two hours to have the table polished and set, the chairs cleaned and fluffed, and the curtains drawn and cobweb free by the time Sora stepped through the door. And I could not be present when he did.
'You will attend such meals if I say so. If not, you take into intuition that you should eat in the kitchen.'
As was ordered, as was done.

Wiping the fatigue from my brow I set the cutlery aside the plate, wrapped in a handkerchief. All finished – I looked up at the chiming bells I could see through the kitchen door – with mere seconds to spare. One last sweep of the room and I leapt into the kitchen, heart racing and rosy cheeked as I clutched Sora's pancake plate. I breathed deeply while I awaited Sora's arrival.

I didn't have to wait long before the door swung open. Sora wearily trudged towards the table, brunette tresses weighing heavily over his eyes. Something had defiantly happened to him last night. His dark maroon, cotton shirt sagged loosely around his torso. The strings of his collar were left untied, giving me a glimpse of the freshly scratched flesh of his moulded chest and neck. No matter how cruel or cold he was, no one deserved to suffer so many injuries...
I reached out to rest a comforting hand upon his shoulder-
'I don't need your pity!'
I snatched it back before I could. I remember.
Robotically placing the plate on the place mat in front of him, I stared troublingly as he gingerly reached for his fork and knife, as if waiting for an inevitable spasm to seize him. Not wishing to push him, I retreated to the kitchen, slipping the door closed before I turned on Aeris. Her face said it all. She could see that I had seen the scars...
"What happened last night, Aeris?" I asked, heart twisting in pain for them both. What had attacked them so savagely? Why hide it? Should they not be warning the household of the danger?
What were they hiding?