SleepWalker

Chapter 5

So," Darcy asked. "Why are we here?" They were standing outside a dinghy old bar. Darcy shivered in the cold.
"Don't you know?" Morpheus looked at her quizzically. "This bar is where your father worked sixteen years ago."
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Everything," Morpheus said, pushing the door open. He began to explain but then he noticed the woman sitting at the counter with her back turned to them. She had frizzy black hair that matched her short black dress. He put a hand out to stop Darcy and turned her towards him.
"You must go," He whispered urgently.
"What?" Darcy asked in surprise. "Why? Who is that? Is she your wife?"
"What?!" Now it was Morpheus' turn to be surprised. "No! There's no time. She can't see you, your life depends on it. I don't know what would happen if..."
Darcy took a step back. Clearly, Morpheus was quite shaken up. And this was the guy who had casually beaten up a gang of hardened criminals in a matter of minutes.
"Okay," she said. "Will I see you again?"
"I'll visit tonight," He promised. "Now go!"
She turned and walked out, briefly turning around to see him staring at the strange woman.

"Good to see you," The woman said, setting her drink down as Morpheus joined her.
"I'm afraid I can't say the same," He replied, running a hand through his long hair. "Why are you here?"
"The same reason you are," She casually sipped her drink. She was quite beautiful, with pale skin and black hair the colour of ink. The most striking thing about her were her eyes. Calm, deep black eyes that held a genuine warmth that you didn't quite expect from...
"Death," Morpheus asked again. "Why are you here?"
"Oh come on!" She rolled her eyes. "You're supposed to be all-knowing. 'No one lies in a dream.' Isn't that what you always say? So tell me." She looked him in the eye. "Why are we here?"
"You know I'm not all-knowing," he snapped back. Death raised an eyebrow. Morpheus sighed and plopped down onto a seat beside her.
"Sixteen years ago," He said. "The Devil walked into this bar and poisoned everything here with his blood."
"And how was it poisoned?" Death prompted him, fingering a pendant on her neck.
"Demon-spawn," Morpheus' voice was laced with disgust. "Baby demons that hibernated in the alcohol, spreading their essence. When the time is right, the Devil will call and everyone who has that essence in them will answer. He'll have a power no one can match."
"And why is that a problem for us?" Death edged him on.
"Because if he has that power, then no demon can stop him from taking over the Infernal realms. After that, his next stop will be here, the Mortal realm."
Death nodded in agreement.
"If the Mortal world falls under his control," She said. "That means no more dreams for anyone; only nightmares. I know what that means for you." She patted his back.
"I can stop him," He said. "The girl is the key. I don't know how, but she is."
"Why are you so sure?" Death asked tilting her head to one side.
"I don't know," Morpheus admitted. "It's just a feeling, I guess. But I need to protect her. And I need to find the answer to this... problem."
"Is that why you didn't want her to see me?" Death leaned in playfully. "So I wouldn't accidentally eat her?"
Morpheus looked at her sheepishly. "Well you are Death."
"Don't worry," She grinned. "I won't be collecting her soul anytime soon."
"So what next?" Morpheus asked, genuinely relieved.
"Like you said," Death replied. "She is the key. I don't know how but I can see that her soul isn't quite... normal. It's uniquely strong. I'll keep a watch on our, uh, friend downstairs."
"Thank you," Morpheus smiled. "I'll see you." He got up and turned to leave.
"Wait," Death called. "What are you planning?"
"Well, we need to find out how she fits into all this, right?"
"Yeah," Death replied warily. "Do you know someone who can help?"
"I know just the guy. Let's just hope he helps us without killing anyone."
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Darcy tossed and turned in bed, waiting for Morpheus to come. It was long past her bedtime and she was feeling quite sleepy. In the end, she decided he just wasn't coming and dozed off.

In her dream, she was in a comfortable armchair, sitting by the fire. She didn't know why, but she felt strangely content. The fire was cozy and warm.
"Comforting, isn't it?" said a familiar voice from beside her. She whipped her head around to find Morpheus sitting in an armchair. The firelight turned his pale white skin a golden-yellow colour.
"You," Darcy pointed at him accusingly. "What the hell, dude? You were supposed to meet me like hours ago!"
"First of all," Morpheus said. "Do NOT call me dude. Secondly, I said I'd visit. How else do you expect the Sandman to visit, if not in your dreams?"
Darcy opened her mouth and shut it immediately. He had a point.
"So who was that lady?" She asked, trying to change the topic.
"She," Morpheus replied. "is my best friend."
"So, not your girlfriend?"
"Not even close," Morpheus chuckled. "No, she's more like my sister."
"What's her name?"
"Death."
Darcy gaped at him, her mouth open. Sooo many questions were bubbling up, she wasn't sure she could ask all of them.
"Darcy," Morpheus said, raising a cautioning hand. "I know you have questions, and I will answer them later. Right now, I want to know if you'll accompany me on a trip."
"What trip?" Darcy asked confused.
"To New Orleans, Louisiana." He replied. "The French Quarter, to be exact."
"Right now?" She asked. "Why?"
"No, of course not right now!" Morpheus said in a shocked voice. "The person we're, um, visiting, does not like to be disturbed without appointment. In fact, he rarely likes to be disturbed even with an appointment. But he may be the only one who can help you."
"So, if he's so cranky, why do you think he'll help us?"
"First of all, you not us." Morpheus corrected. "Secondly, he's an old friend. He owes me a favour."
"Okay," Darcy said, still not too sure. "Can't you just do, whatever he's supposed to do? Aren't you like all-powerful and all?"
"Darcy," Morpheus sighed. "I'm not all-powerful. Only one person is and I'm sure as hell not him. My powers are strongest here, in my realm, and I still have no idea what your role is in all this. This friend of mine, he is our best bet at finding an answer. Trust me, I wouldn't go to him if he was not."
"Why? Is he evil?"
Morpheus sighed. "I wish..."

Note de Author: next chapter introduces my personal favourite character in this book. (What? If parents can have favourite children and teachers can have favourite students, an author can have a favourite character, right?) I'm still looking for a good graphic designer to do my cover so ... you know, SOMEONE RESPOND ALREADY! Keep reading, cheers 😁