Dream Weaver ✓

Chapter 17

The sound grew louder and louder with every step Olivia and Louis took. At first, it had been a faint whisper, but now it was a cacophony of screams, each one more desperate than the last, pleading for help that would never come. Olivia's palms were slick with sweat, causing her fingers to slip on the hilt of her sword. She clenched her grip tighter, trying to steady the weapon as she scanned her surroundings.

Louis hesitated, his voice trembling with uncertainty. "Are we sure this is a good idea?" he muttered, his eyes darting around nervously. "What if the screams are just a distraction?"

Olivia's expression tightened with determination. "We have to rescue Emily before it's too late," she said, gripping her sword tighter. "This is the only way."

Louis shifted his weight from one foot to the other, biting his lip anxiously. "I liked the previous dream realm more," he admitted, his voice filled with longing.

Olivia nodded in agreement. The previous dream realm was more peaceful, colorful, and alive. This one was dark, cold, and filled with screams of agony. They walked on, careful not to step on anything that could give away their position. Suddenly, a gust of wind hit them, and they stopped in their tracks.

Louis tightened his grip on his shield as Olivia raised her sword. The figure emerged from the shadows, and they could see that it was Sean, his silhouette looming larger than life. He hadn't shown up at Emily's grandmother's house, yet here he was, in the dream realm, standing before them.

"How did you get here?" Olivia asked, suspicion tainting her voice.

Sean raised his hands in surrender. "I have Dream Weaver powers, too. I came to help."

Louis lowered his shield, but his expression remained guarded. "Why didn't you come with us to Emily's grandmother's house?"

Sean's jaw tightened. "I had some unfinished business to take care of first."

Olivia's voice boomed, echoing through the dark dream realm as she pointed her sword toward Sean. Her anger simmered just beneath the surface as she recalled his selfish actions. Louis tensed beside her, his shield at the ready.

Sean stepped forward, his hands raised in surrender. "I know I messed up," he admitted, "but I'm here now. How can I help?"

Olivia lowered her sword but remained wary. "We need to find Emily and defeat the Drainer," she said. "Do you know where they are?"

Sean's expression darkened. "I have an idea," he said, "but it will not be easy."

Louis narrowed his eyes, studying Sean's every move. "How do you even know where they are?" he asked with suspicion.

Sean shrugged. "I have my ways."

Olivia raised an eyebrow. "We don't have time for secrets, Sean. If you know where Emily is, we need to go now."

Sean hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. "Fine. Follow me."

Louis's grip tightened on Olivia's arm, his eyes darting back and forth between Sean and Olivia.

"We don't," Olivia said, her voice low and tense. "But we don't have a choice. We have to follow him if we want to find Emily."

Louis frowned but nodded in agreement. Sean led the way, his steps quick and purposeful as he led them deeper into the dark and twisted realm of the Drainer. Olivia and Louis stayed close behind, their weapons at the ready as they braced themselves for whatever lay ahead. As they stepped forward, the surrounding air grew thick with the sound of anguished cries that pierced through Olivia and Louis's souls. The screams were so loud; it felt as though they were physically walking through the pain and suffering of countless souls. The darkness seemed to pulsate and throb with each wail.

Louis halted, his feet rooted to the spot as he faced Sean. "Olivia's question remains unanswered. How did you find us here in the dream realm?"

Sean let out a deep sigh. "I followed you here, I couldn't just leave it to chance that you would rescue Emily on your own."

Louis looked at him. "Why should we trust you? You abandoned us before."

"I know, and I regret that. But right now, we need to work together if we want to save Emily," Sean replied

Olivia interjected, "How do we know you're not working with the Drainer?"

Sean shook his head. "I'm not. I swear. Trust me."

The three of them stood in silence for a moment, each lost in their thoughts. The screams continued to echo around them, growing louder and more frantic with each passing moment.

Finally, Olivia spoke up. "Okay, Sean. We'll trust you for now. But if you betray us again, I swear I'll-"

Sean cut her off. "I won't, I promise. Now, let's go. We have to find Emily before it's too late."

Olivia and Louis exchanged a knowing glance, acknowledging the gravity of the situation. They had no choice but to trust Sean, even though their instincts told them otherwise. The fate of Emily was at stake, and time was running out. With a determined nod, they continued on their path, hoping that their decision wouldn't come back to haunt them.

Olivia trudged ahead, her mind heavy with the weight of Emily's fate. The surrounding screams grew louder, more desperate, and she couldn't shake off the feeling of dread that washed over her. She couldn't help but remember the old woman's words echoing in her mind: defeat the Drainer. The thought made her stomach churn and her hands tremble on her sword. She tried to focus on the task at hand and pushed herself forward, determined to rescue her friend no matter what.

Louis's voice interrupted the group's trek through the dream realm. "Wait a minute," he said, "Did Emily's grandmother allow you to pass through the portal?"

Sean turned his head towards Louis, a frown creasing his brow. "No," he replied, "I snuck in."

Louis's eyes widened, and he looked at Olivia. "How can we trust him?"

Olivia's jaw tightened, and she glared at Sean. "Why didn't you tell us before?"

Sean's gaze fell to the earth, tracing the contours of the soil with a brooding intensity. With a flicker of his imagination, a glinting blade materialized in his hand, its weight and balance palpable. His arm extended forward, the weapon held steady as he fixed his aim on Olivia. A gust of wind tousled his hair, adding to the dramatic tableau that had unfolded before them. The tension in the air was palpable as Sean's thoughts and emotions swirled like a tempestuous storm, ready to unleash their fury at any moment.