423 words. -BIG_Sh0T- you brought this upon yourself
It was silent.
Nightmare sighed softly, his tails wagging and the image of Cross still in his head. The two had run into each other and struck up a conversation. Cross had left a while ago, but Nightmare was still daydreaming about him. In Nightmare's opinion, Cross was. . . Perfect, he couldn't find any other words that fit him as a whole. Of course there were some like beautiful, adorable, charming and sweet. . . However, perfect described him in one word.
Nightmare nearly fell of the tree as the sound of synchronized footsteps echoed around the forest. He didn't mind as it was normal for the queen to send his soldiers to train regularly. His head peaked up curiosily towards the castle as a realization came to him, wasn't it Wednesday? The queen trained them every other day, and Nightmare had already heard them yesterday. He shrugged it off, deciding it was none of his business.
Until a scream cut clear though the forest.
Nightmare immediately recognized the voice, it being the one he was just dreaming about. He jumped out of the tree and ran to the castle, desperat to get to Cross. Thorns and other plants scraped and cut his arms and ankles, Nightmare couldn't care less.
Nothing could help Nightmare prepare for what he saw next. Cross was leaning against a tree, Nightmare would've thought he was sleeping if it wasn't for his injuries. Oh, what Nightmare would've given to make sure that was what was happening. He didn't recognize Cross at first, but the clothing gave it away. All sides of Cross' beautiful body was pierced with playing cards, the queen's symbol. Nightmare slowly approached him, not because he was afraid of getting caught, he was afraid for Cross. He sat beside his and softly placed his hand on his cheek, avoiding the card that was on the same side of his face.
No reaction. Nightmare carefully pulled out the card, still nothing. He was panicking at this point. He carried Cross carfully, the smaller going limp as he did so. Nightmare walked slowly and steadily to the forest again. After he made sure they were far enough from the castle, he sat down at the base of a large tree and began to clean, then heal, Cross. One after one he picked out cards from Cross' delicate bones. No matter how much magic he used, Cross' wounds refused to heal by Nightmare's healing magic.
Nightmare decided to place his ear on Cross' chest to check his heartbeat.
It was silent.
