Hopes and Dreams

Chapter 5

Dream seemed taken aback by his question. "Creepers? The monsters that live outside the walls? The ones that explode?" George nodded and Dream couldn't help but laugh. "I'm not particularly fond of them, mostly on account of the whole 'exploding' thing. Why do you ask?"

George shifted his weight on the hard cement floor. The cold seeped uncomfortably through the fabric of his clothes. "I was talking to Badboyhalo a bit ago. He said he needed some materials only found outside the walls for potions and I offered our help."

"I'm glad you met Bad; he's a cool guy." Dream stretched out his legs and leaned back on his arms. "I've made a few trips outside the walls. They've gotten harder recently. Guess the guard really doesn't want us going out there."

George blinked. He hadn't expected Dream's hesitant response. "Is that a no, then?"

"I didn't say that," Dream countered. "If Bad needs those ingredients, I can get them." He pushed himself to his feet and cracked his knuckles. George followed him quickly.

"Hold on," he interjected. "I told Bad we'd both go. You said we're in this together."

The masked man shrugged. "Sure, but you'd be murdered in a heartbeat out there."

George crossed his arms tightly and frowned. "I think I handled myself pretty well with the guards today."

Dream waved him off and began to walk away. "You got lucky. If you had been alone, let's just say..." Before George even had time to breathe, Dream had whirled around with his knife drawn to his throat. George drew in a shaky gasp, hardly daring to do more than flinch. Dream smiled at him from behind his haunting white mask. "You'd be dead."

When his breathing finally slowed, George carefully pushed Dream's blade away from his throat. The distance removed an enormous weight from his chest. "It's not my fault I don't know how to fight. I run a tavern, remember?"

Dream chuckled and sheathed his knife. "The offer for lessons still stands if you want them. We have some time since we'll have to wait for Sapnap to get better before we go." George opened his mouth to retort but Dream held up a hand. "I know you don't like him, but he's a remarkable fighter and my right-hand man. We either go with him or not at all."

George sighed quietly and dropped his crossed arms to his sides. "Fine. Guess I'll have to take you up on that."

Dream turned again to walk away. "Tomorrow night, same time, meet me at the armory."

George couldn't help but scoff. "The armory? You mean that little corner with a few rusted swords and stolen pieces of armor?"

"Beggars can't be choosers." Dream stopped and looked back over his shoulder. "See you tomorrow."

He watched him go for a minute before shaking out his trembling hands. Though they'd known each other for weeks, some things Dream did still surprised him. But... now that George thought about it, he knew hardly anything about Dream. All he knew was his tough, rebellious exterior. George shook his head and began toward the stairs leading out of the subway. Maybe he'd just have to crack that shell.

The next night, after a long day of work, George dragged himself back to the subway tunnels. His body groaned with exhaustion but he forced himself to stay sharp. His first lesson was today and he couldn't afford missing a step. Again, he entered the concrete hall and made his way to the armory where Dream was sure to be waiting.

Armory was a generous name for the mismatched piles of armor and barrels full of swords in varying conditions. But, being secluded in a tunnel rather than the station with everything else, it was spacious enough to practice swordsmanship. Dream stood next to one of the barrels inspecting a sword. He turned when he heard George's footsteps echoing down the dark tunnel.