Chapter 10: The Book Exchange
"…How so?" Willow questioned.
As we speak, she is most likely knee deep into that book. Probably thinking that you've lost your mind. Now, I know she wouldn't have told anybody about what's in the book just yet. She's waiting until she can use you. Basically…
"Blackmail." Willow cut in. "What's in the copied book?"
Just silly little diary pages, no secrets what-so-ever. The plan is to find where she is hiding that book and swap it with the copied book.
"How am I to get her to tell me where it is?"
You don't need too, I'll do it. Willow, it's getting dark, you should go inside.
"Hmm?" She waited, but no answer. Willow looked up to see the stars forming in the pink and partially dark blue sky. Willow walked over to the house and let herself in. Shadow and Rouge stood several feet away from the door, as if they were expecting her.
Shadow cleared his voice, "We have a surprise for you. We ..."
"We are making you your own bedroom!" Rouge butted in. "We set up a little bed for you in Sapphire's room for the night. By tomorrow you'll be able to sleep in your room." Rouge said joyfully.
Inside, Willow felt terrified. What if Sapphire were to do something to her while she slept? Before Willow could say no, Rouge had already pushed her down the halls and into Sapphire's room.
Willow looked back to see the door slam shut. She turned around to see Sapphire, who was lying in her bed reading Willow's book.
"You're such a freak!" Sapphire said as she chewed her gum. Willow had no response. She just sat down on her bed that was set up on the floor next to Sapphire's. Sapphire crawled over to the edge of her bed. "Lights out little Willow…" She said with a smile. With that, Sapphire turned off the remaining lights in the room.
Willow was afraid to sleep. Every little noise made her jump. Even being in the dark made her just as scared.
Willow, just calm down. We can't do this if you don't sleep. Good night and I'll see you in a little bit.
Willow pondered. Wait… what? Feeling exhausted, she snuggled into her puffy white blanket and closed her eyes.
***
Willow opened her eyes and looked around. She stood in a black abyss. She brought her hands up to her face to see if it was pitch black, but as she did, she saw them clear as day.
"Why, Willow, you finally decided to fall asleep." Willow turned around to see herself. Her reflection bowed to her, "It's a pleasure to finally meet face to face."
"You mean…"
"Yes, it's me." Her reflection walked closer to Willow, "Instead of calling me 'Subconscious Willow' all the time, how about you call me Hallow?"
"Okay!" She then tapped her chin with her fingers. "So…"
"So now I tell you how we are going into Sapphire's dream."
"What are you talking about?"
Hallow cupped her hand on her face. "Remember the dream you saw your own funeral?"
Willow stepped closer, "Yea, I remember."
"That wasn't your dream. It was Sapphire's." Willow stood in shock. "Your powers might not be physical, yet, but with my help I can help you control them. I will also teach you the way of the dreams."
"Okay, that sounds weird."
"Well, you have to abide to simple laws. Otherwise, things can get a little, messy."
"Ohh…"
"Anyway, I need you to leave your body."
"What? How?"
"Willow, just concentrate, cast your energy out." Willow did as instructed.
***
Back in the room, Willow looked down at herself. Oh my god I'm dead!
No Willow, you're not dead. Hallow said, you did what I asked you to do. Now go over to Sapphire and cup her face with your hands.
Willow thought, Wouldn't she wake up?
She won't be able to feel you. Now go ahead. Willow did as she was told. She suddenly was sucked into Sapphire, who was heavily snoring.
***
Willow was in a white room with a two-way mirror in front of her. From behind that glass, Willow saw Hallow confront Sapphire in a similar black room.
Sapphire looked frantically around, "Willow, what's going on? I was on a wonderful date with..."
"Shut it. Have a seat."
Sapphire looked behind her to see a wooden chair. "I'm not going to sit. You can't make me."
"I wasn't asking you to sit." Hallow walked behind Sapphire and grabbed a hold of the chair. She suddenly shoved the chair into the back of Sapphire's knees, forcing her to sit. Hallow walked in front of the frightened girl. "Where's my book."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't pull that one on me again. I'm going to ask you one more time." Hallow grabbed the backrest of the chair. Face to face, she looked into Sapphire's eyes. "Where. Is. My. Book."
"I don't have to listen to you!"
Hallow pushed Sapphire back, almost making her fall right off the chair. Hallow turned to see a window-like mirror. "Willow, can you come out here?"
Willow entered though a magic door that appeared when she opened it.
"Two Willow's? I must be dreaming!"
Hallow turned to Sapphire, "Shut up." She then twisted around to see Willow, "Willow dear, I need you to go over and hold Sapphire's arm up. Make sure her arm is straight and her elbow is pointed up."
"O-Okay." Willow confusingly said.
Hallow crossed her arms. "One last time Sapphire, where's my book?"
"It's just a dream. It's just a dream. It's just a dream."
"Willow, hold her arm tightly."
Willow did so. Hallow walked in front of Sapphire's straightened arm. She brought leg up and slammed it down on Sapphire's arm, breaking it.
Upon realizing what was happening, Willow let go of Sapphire's arm. She had no response, she covered her mouth and tears began to form. Willow stared at Sapphire, who was rolling on the floor clutching her elbow. Willow finally cleared her swollen throat. "W-What was that for?" She whimpered.
"Willow. She wasn't giving me what I want."
Sapphire groaned and twisted. She was too in shock to scream. Sapphire tears ran down her face, she murmured something. Hallow went over to her and crouched down, "What was that?"
"I put it in my closet… it's underneath… the picture of Dash and I."
"There we go." From behind Willow saw Hallow giving her the hand motion to get a move on. Willow then tried to get out of Sapphire's dream.
As Willow left, Hallow continued looking at Sapphire, who was deeply in pain. "Why can't I wake up" Sapphire groaned.
"That's because I'm not letting you." Hallow lifted Sapphire's chin to make sure she was at looking her. "You don't run the show. I do. If you keep bothering me with your idiotic actions, then I'm going to have to… I don't know… cut off a limb or maybe just make your life a living hell." Hallow gave a small giggle as she let her hand slip off Sapphire's chin.
Hallow sensed that Willow finished with her work. Giving thoughts to only Willow, Now, have everything put into where it was before and fall asleep. Everything will be okay when you wake up.