Night Killer. Life is a slow race.

Part 6 : Answers lead to questions

Nightmare looks over to his nightstand catching a glimpse of the knife. He originally planned to throw it away when he went to clean up Killer's bowl but couldn't bring himself to. Reaching over he picks it up. It feels like a cinder block in his hand yet it's barely a pound.

He stares at the blade for a bit, turning it over in his hand as he does. "Why does he have to be so cryptic?" He asks himself quietly. Squinting at the knife, he looks carefully. The knife blade has grooves, made from years of usage. The blade is dull; it would struggle to cut even the simplest of things, needing someone's brute force to help it along. The handle is no better. With its cracked wood and fading stain showing the struggle it's faced through the years.The last thing he notices though, is the tip. Broken off and missing from the rest.

Nightmare sighs as he lowers it from his face. No matter how much he thinks about it, he can't seem to find an answer. Of course he knows why the tip broke; the blade was weak with age and couldn't stand the force of impact. But he doesn't understand why Killer wants him to think so deeply about it.

'He just wants to mess with me.' Nightmare thinks tightening his hold on the knife. 'He wanted to add onto me losing his 'game' by playing mind games with me!'

Nightmare, agitated, gets ready to throw the knife away from him, but when he goes to, he can't seem to let it go. He loosens his grip on the knife and lets it rest beside him on the bed. Nightmare knows Killer doesn't use his knives as a joke, they mean much more to him than a simple joke. He knows that Killer would never let go of one of his knives, even if the blade was corroded or the handle was gone. Yet he did.

Deep down Nightmare knows that the knife didn't break from just age.

Nightmare takes a deep breath before pushing himself up and out of bed. He feels restless. Putting on his slippers he makes his way out of his bedroom. Walking down the hall he's able to find peace in the calm scene. It's dark, just the sound of the floor boards creaking under his feet. Of course he can sense the fear of Dust down below but on the surface, he finds a sense of serenity.

That is until he catches it, annoyed he picks up his pace a bit. Soon he comes to Cross's sleeping quarters and bangs on his door. He feels the change in atmosphere as Cross's mood turns to fear instead of joy. Nightmare listens to the sound of footsteps as Cross comes closer and opens the door hesitantly.

"Why are you still awake?" Nightmare questions angrily. It's disturbing his peace.

"I w-was just watching some videos because I couldn't sleep Sir." Cross tries to explain, nervous as he stares into his Boss's glowing, cyan eye.

Nightmare can tell he's lying.

"Why lie to me Cross? You should know better." Nightmare asks, "What are you really doing and why so late at night?"

Cross's sockets widen as he knows he realizes he's been caught. In a desperate attempt to stray Nightmare off his tail, he quickly figures half truths into the equation.

"OH. Uhm, w-well I was texting." Cross states as he tries to calm his nerves.

Nightmare glares at the nervous skeleton before asking, "Who?" The way he said it sounded more like an order though.

Nightmare can feel the stress flowing off of Cross. Though it's enjoyable, he much rather go back to his quiet oasis. It takes a second before Cross finally chokes out an answer, "Just a friend." Cross waits as he feels Nightmare examine him and weigh his answer.

Nightmare knows there is something going on, but he is tired of listening to the fish brained skeleton defend himself. "GET. TO. BED." He orders quietly, but it intimidates Cross all the same. He quickly closes his door. Nightmare waits for the sound of him walking stops before turning to continue his walk.

Nightmare had his suspicions earlier, but now he knows something's amiss. 'I'll have Killer keep an eye on him.' Nightmare decides when he walks by Killer's door. After a few steps he stops and turns to look back at the door. He sighs as he turns around and follows through. He's only checking to make sure he's asleep right? He tries to convince himself that's all there is to it, he knows there's more.

He hesitates with his hand on the door knob, taking a moment to breathe and tries to detect a presence on the other side. He knows it is futile, the one issue with taking away Killer's emotions. There are none to detect.

Nightmare opens the door slowly, trying not to wake up Killer, if he isn't already awake that is. Peaking into the room he sees the skeleton turned away, the lack of light telling him he's not on his phone. He stares for a moment, watching the slow rise and fall of his chest.

Nightmare sighs quietly as he starts pulling the door closed but stops. He listens for a moment to confirm; Killer's breathing patterns have quickened. Quietly he opens the door wider and steps in, making his way over to the sleeping form.

Killer has his blanket in a tight grasp, teeth clamped tight. Nightmare understands, of course he does, it's his name. Nightmare should be happy about this, yet not being able to feel the fear makes him feel a bit unsettled himself. He could leave, and let the nightmare run its course, he won't feel it. On the other hand though, it's the thought of not feeling it that gets to him, or maybe it's the thought that Killer needs to be well rested to get back to work. Either way, he makes his decision.

Slowly he takes his hand and lays it on Killer's forehead. Closing his eyes he takes a breath in and holds it; willing his magic forwards he does his best to change the path of the nightmare. He only lets his breath out once he hears Killer's breathing slow. Opening his eyes he watches as the sleeping skeleton relaxes, loosening his grip on the blanket and letting his jaw have some slack. Nightmare stares until he realizes he is still touching his underling's forehead in which he quickly, but carefully, takes it off.

Nightmare makes his way towards the door, looking back for a moment to make sure the nightmare is completely over before leaving.

As he walks down the hall, back towards his own room it hits him, 'Why was I so scared to open his door in the first place? I'm the boss It shouldn't matter whether or not I disturb him.'