Chapter 36: The Sleepless Dream

We had been collecting a large amount of information lately.

Things on Shisuta, Things about Sasageru, Eiji and Hiro's collective dream notes, and the trials that corresponded with them. Needless to say, I had not gotten any rest. I yawned as I sat down, looking at the records. I needed a stimulant to keep me awake... I picked up the blue liquid syringe, leaving the green one on the desk.

One of these were for Hiro, Eiji had gotten his this morning.

It was to be used to protect them while sleeping, something Chihiro had concocted.

Blue... Was that the one? I think that was it...?

I injected some of the blue one, and pocketed it...

...

Hiro walked into Kahn's office. She was definitely ready to have some extra protection in dreams... The last three trials had been nothing short of a living hell...

We had to attack assassin's hiding in shadows, but we couldn't hear a thing. Max was a big help there.

We wandered in a trial for at least 24 hours with short term memory loss. Max there? Not so much.

The last one was even worse, because I was sitting in a pool of blood, everyone's heads were floating in it... Max was screaming, "It's alive! The dumpling has teeth!" And the only reason we made it out was because Eiji had heard me scream, and faced his fear so he could help me face mine.

Poor max though... When we're not in the trials, he still is.

That carnivorous dumpling must have been chasing him for hours and hours. He really was a champ to help us like this.

Hiro walked over to the desk and looked at the syringe.

"They said it was a blue liquid... But, um... That looks green."

Kahn was asleep on his desk.

"He must be exhausted... Oh well, maybe it's more... Turquoise?"

She took the green or 'turquoise' liquid, and injected all of it as instructed.

She walked out of the room, then her eyes popped open.

"Wh-wh-WHAT THE HELL!" She screamed.

Chihiro, Linn, Kuhn, and Eiji heard her. They ran up to her.

Her heart was pounding in her chest.

"Hiro! You look REALLY freaked out! What's the matter!?" Kuhn exclaimed.

"Wh-What the F-F-FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU!? Are Y-You TRYING TO K-KILL ME!? WHAT IS THAT ST-STUFF!?"

Linn looked at Chihiro. She shrugged.

"Eiji took some this morning... He's fine."

Linn looked at Hiro.

Her eyes widened. "Oh shit! She took a stimulant!"

Kuhn grabbed her shoulders, and looked at her. She was shaking, and her eyes were bulging. He could almost feel her heart beat pounding where his hands were.

"How much did you take!?" He asked frantically.

She shivered. "Th-th... Th-The WHOLE THING!"

"She might be fine..." Said Linn.

"This happened to you once."

He sighed with frustration.

"Yeah, but I'm bigger than Hiro, and that was a lot for me!"

Hiro shivered. This was scaring her...

"G-Guys? I j-j... I... DAMMIT!"

she clenched her fists.

Eiji held her hands.

"Listen to me, nothing bad is going to happen alright?"

She nodded shakily. Eiji was comforting.

"Your scaring her." He said. "I don't know if that's a good idea..."

Linn sighed. "Yeah... I think he's got a point. Let's try to stay calm."

Kuhn nodded. "Alright then."

Eiji looked at her, and her eyes focused. She was still shaking, but she was more calm.

"Th-Thanks." She said.

He sighed. "It was no trouble... Just, try not to psyche yourself out too much okay?"

She nodded.

Kuhn walked into Kahn's office. He was sleeping.

Kuhn had no doubt who the stimulant was intended for.

He shook Kahn awake, and grabbed his collar.

"Kahn, I am REALLY PISSED AT YOU RIGHT NOW!"

He blinked. "What's this about."

...

Kuhn didn't release me.

"Guess who took your stimulant?" He asked.

I froze... No! It WAS the green one!

"How much did she take!?" I exclaimed.

"All of it!" He yelled.

"Because YOU left it OUT!"

I had been sleep deprived, and just now woke up to Kuhn holding me up by my collar. I had been awake for four days, solid.

Every second of it was frustrating, and it was almost maddening how thin my composure was.

I shoved his hand off.

"Why don't we switch places for FOUR GOD DAMN DAYS! I have been doing everything I can... And so far? I have kept my patience well... I have not slept for four days straight! Everything we try with Shisuta, is a MISERABLE FAILURE! What can I do Kuhn? Instead of trying to man handle me, TELL ME WHAT TO DO!"

I had never snapped that badly at Kuhn. I immediately regretted it.

He sighed. "I'm sorry... We're all frustrated, and I don't know WHAT to do... That stimulant should have killed me, I'm just worried sick about her..."

I pulled out the blue liquid I had used.

"There's still some left. You should give it to her before a dream starts.

Kuhn looked down. "Will she even sleep?"

I sighed. "Yes, they are forced into dreams. There is no choice. I have discovered that somehow Hiro and Eiji have linked with the minds of the priestesses. This is how they are able to take down the trials, by killing the priestess in her own mind. This magic is far more powerful than a stimulant. Even that one."

Kuhn nodded. "Then at least she'll sleep."

...

The sun was setting in the sky, and Eiji was with Hiro. She had taken the blue protective potion now, but the stimulant was still running strong.

Eiji was holding Hiro close in an attempt to comfort her. She leaned into him, but was still shaking.

She sobbed. "I just f-feel exhausted! B-B-But I J-Just stay awake!"

He stroked her hand. "I'm sorry Hiro... I'm sure you'll get to sleep soon. We'll get pulled into a dream..."

She held on to him. "Eiji I'm s-so scared... Th-These dreams are a l-l-living hell!"

He wrapped her into a hug, and held her.

"I know..." He said tearfully. "I won't let anymore hurt you though... I promise."

The sky grew dark, and they looked at the stars through the dining hall window.

Even Hiro was slightly calmed by this.

Then they fell into a dream... But their eyes stayed opened. Both Eiji's and Hiro's.