For the first time in years I don't dream about the fire. I dream about Fang, Hale and Cole, and Sensei Wu's words. I can't bring myself to hurt them, I can't take the plunge, but inside my head I can hear Fang's laughter as he takes hold of me and forces me toward the ninja. I finally force myself awake just as my knife slices downward toward Cole's chest.
My face is stiff with tears I must have cried in my sleep, and I wipe them away with one hand.
"You really are a mess, aren't you?" I ask myself, throwing my arm over the side of the bed so I can drag myself out.
My hand hits the bedside table and knocks something to the ground with a loud rattle. I peek over the side to see a familiar letter lying innocently on the floor, but the sight of it makes me want to throw up. I roll onto my feet and pick it up before I rip it open.
It's almost time, Ash, and I hope you aren't procrastinating. I'd hate to have to impress on your mind what you should be able to do yourself- you are the monster of the forest after all. Even though you can't change the nightmares of your past, I'm giving you the opportunity to change the situation with your father.
I've warned you over and over again to stay detached from your targets, but so far you've insisted on engraining yourself further with them. Believe me when I say that these people are no substitute for your real family. They don't really care about you. Make this easier for yourself and kill them all before you get even more attached. If not, I'll be sure they all die by your hand.
Fang
I drop the letter on the ground, not even caring that it flies under the bed as I collapse back onto the blanket. I bury my face into the pillow to muffle my screams as everything comes crashing around my ears. I have to escape this somehow, if not for my sake then for the ninja's. But how can I run if Fang is watching me? He knows everything I've done, he knows about my nightmares-
But how did he know about my nightmares? The only way he could find out is if he had some way of watching me while I slept. I shudder at the idea, but there's no way he clawed up the side of the ship to watch me through the window. I would have seen him if he tried. So there must be something inside this room, like hidden cameras. But when would he have the time to do that? And how could he get into the room without anyone, especially me, noticing?
My mind whirrs, and then stops. He'd be able to do anything he wanted if he was here on the ship by invitation, or at least had access with supervision, and that means…
I leap out of bed, hastily grabbing my belt before I run toward the door and scramble out onto the deck.
He leans against a railing calmly, twirling an arrow between his fingers. He looks up slowly as I approach him, heart pounding.
"You," I growl, so angry I can hardly contain the heat in my stomach. "It was you all along."
He gives me an all too innocent smile. "I see you've found me out. It's about time."