Dream Warriors

Chapter Two: The Rules of Midnight

The stillness after midnight was unsettling. Kara stood in her room, her eyes darting from the clock to the walls, expecting something else to happen. Her heartbeat finally began to slow as she crept toward the door, her feet barely making a sound on the floorboards. The house felt different, like it was watching her, waiting for her to make a move.

She had to know what had just happened.

Kara slowly opened the door and peeked into the hallway. The shadows seemed longer, thicker than before. The soft ticking of the grandfather clock echoed through the house, but something about it was off, like time itself had slowed down.

She tiptoed down the stairs, careful not to make any noise. The silence pressed in around her, thick as fog, and with each step, she felt the house change—a slow hum beneath the surface, like the pulse of something ancient.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she noticed the door to the living room slightly ajar. A faint, warm glow seeped from inside, and the air smelled sweet, like vanilla and lavender. Kara's curiosity overpowered her fear, and she gently pushed the door open.

Inside, she saw Mr. Mason sitting in an old armchair by the fire, his eyes closed as though he were in a trance. A small, ornate box rested on the table beside him. Kara took a cautious step inside, feeling the pull of the room, like it was calling her closer.

Before she could speak, Mr. Mason's eyes fluttered open, and he smiled warmly at her. "I had a feeling you'd be curious."

Kara froze, her mouth dry. "What... what just happened? The house... it—"

"Shifted," Mr. Mason finished, his voice gentle. "It's always like this after midnight. You've noticed, haven't you?"

Kara nodded slowly. "What's going on here?"

He chuckled softly, gesturing for her to sit down. "There's much to explain, Kara. This house—Margaret and I—we're not what you think. And now that you're here, you'll need to understand the rules."

"Rules?" Kara sat down across from him, her mind racing. "What rules?"

Mr. Mason leaned back in his chair, his eyes reflecting the flickering firelight. "This house, it's not like any other. At midnight, it changes. Becomes something more. A place where dreams are real, where your wishes can be granted."

Kara's heart pounded. "Wishes? Like... genies?"

Mr. Mason smiled, but there was a sadness behind it. "Yes. Margaret and I are not human—we're genies. We've lived for centuries, protecting this house and those who find their way to us. The house is our lamp, and its magic comes alive at midnight."

Kara sat back, trying to wrap her mind around what she was hearing. "But... why a group home? Why bring us here?"

Mr. Mason's expression softened. "This place was created for those who need it most—for those who've been lost, abandoned, or left behind. We've made it a sanctuary, a place where dreams can come true... but only if you follow the rules."

Kara's throat tightened. "What are the rules?"

Mr. Mason's smile faded, and his eyes grew serious. "There are three. The first: you can make as many wishes as you like, but they only come true in your dreams. The house grants them while you sleep. But be careful—wishing for something too often can have... consequences."

"Consequences?" Kara's mind reeled. "What kind of consequences?"

"Dreams can become addictive," Mr. Mason warned. "You can get lost in them, forget what's real and what isn't. Too many wishes, and you might never want to wake up."

Kara shivered at the thought, but Mr. Mason continued.

"The second rule: never try to enter someone else's dream. The house connects us all while we sleep, and if you invade another's dream, their subconscious will defend itself—violently. You could be erased from existence entirely."

Kara's eyes widened. "Erased?"

"Yes," he said, his voice darkening. "Your body might still exist, but your mind, your soul... it will be gone. The house won't be able to bring you back."

Kara felt a cold chill run through her. This place, this magic—it wasn't just a gift. It was dangerous.

"And the third rule," Mr. Mason said quietly, "never ask for something that will alter the past. Time is fragile, and changing it can unravel everything you know. The house can show you glimpses of the past in your dreams, but it can't change what has already happened. Trying to do so will only bring you pain."

Kara sat in stunned silence. Wishes in dreams, dangers of invading others' minds, and the temptation to change the past. She had no idea what she had walked into.

"Why are you telling me all this?" Kara asked. "Why not keep it a secret?"

Mr. Mason sighed. "Because you deserve to know the truth. And soon, the other teens will figure it out, too. This house chooses its residents for a reason, Kara. It brought you here because you needed something—something you haven't even realized yet."

Kara looked down, her mind spinning. What did she need? Why had the house chosen her? She thought back to the life she had before, the broken pieces she had tried to leave behind. Was there something she was supposed to find here?

Before she could ask another question, Mr. Mason rose from his chair, his eyes gentle but firm. "It's late. You should rest. The house will begin to reveal more as time goes on. And remember... the rules are there for your protection."

Kara nodded, still processing everything. She stood up, her legs feeling shaky beneath her.

"And Kara," Mr. Mason called as she reached the door. "Be careful what you wish for."

Chapter Three: The Others

Kara's mind was reeling as she walked back up the stairs. The house was a magical lamp, the Masons were genies, and her wishes could come true in dreams—but there were rules that made it all feel more like a curse than a gift.

As she reached her room, she heard voices from down the hall. The other teens, she realized. They must have returned while she was talking to Mr. Mason.

Taking a deep breath, she walked toward the source of the sound, her heart pounding in her chest. She knew she had to meet them eventually. And if they knew the truth about the house... she needed to know what they planned to do about it.