Whisper to a Scream (Book One of the Dark Whispers Universe)

TWO

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Since Phoenix constantly changes what gender they identify with, all pronouns used in their point of view are based on how they feel in the moment. Inconsistency and sudden switches are not errors, but a way to fully slip into Phoenix's mind. In other people's points of view, Phoenix will be referred to as they.

TWO
SEBASTIAN
He'd finally fallen asleep in the bizarre House of Mystery. Sebastian didn't want to sleep; he wanted to find his father. Unfortunately, his body had other ideas and his exhaustion won out.

The dream that took control of his mind was as unwelcome as sleep itself.

He was standing near a river. It was raining. A woman stood on the other side of the water. She was screaming for help. No matter how hard Sebastian tried, he couldn't reach her.

He saw no visible threat at first, but before his eyes, the woman started being torn apart. Her attacker was powerful, but Sebastian couldn't figure out what it was. He struggled to make his way to her, determined to save her.

As he approached, the same invisible force latched onto him and began tearing him apart as he could do little more than scream.

"Sebastian! Sebastian, wake up!" A familiar voice cried in horror.

He couldn't. The attack was too strong. He was going to die.

Strong arms wrapped around him. Sebastian opened his eyes, confused. He was soaking wet. It was raining, but he was inside. There was water all over the room, almost to the top of the bed.

"There's a good lad," Constantine said soothingly as he held onto him. "It's alright now..."

Phoenix stared at Sebastian from the shadows, their eyes wide and terrified. Sebastian realized Phoenix must have been the one who initially tried to wake him up. Emily watched him from the door. She looked curious, but not especially worried.

"You're bleeding," she pointed out as she moved closer. She conjured up a first aid kit and started calmly tending to his wounds.

That was when Sebastian noticed the slashes on his arms. He sighed. "It was just a nightmare," he replied in embarrassment.

"Do your nightmares always make you look like Freddy Krueger attacked you?"

"Or flood your bedroom?" Constantine added.

"It was raining, and I was near a river... And something attacked me," Sebastian explained.

"So your nightmares manifest physically?" Constantine asked.

"Sometimes. My mind is complex. I can alter reality. If I get too worked up, stuff like this happens. I'm sorry. I'll pay for the damage."

"Nonsense. The House of Mystery repairs itself whenever it feels like it. Let's just focus on taking care of your injuries."

Phoenix cautiously approached him. "Are you okay?" They asked. "I heard you screaming and tried to wake you, but it didn't work."

"I'm fine," Sebastian replied quickly. He hesitated before adding, "Thank you for trying."

"I'm going to fix you some tea to calm your nerves while Emily finishes patching you up," Constantine said. He left the room.

"They're pretty deep, but you'll be fine," Emily said as she applied a strange concoction to his arms.

"What is that stuff?" Sebastian asked.

"A remedy from a demonic realm," she replied casually. "It'll help you heal faster."