The 4th Subject

Chapter 24: The Face in my Nightmares

Nerves were going haywire as I stuffed a thick hoodie into my backpack. Matt, Sam, Woods and I were going to stay overnight just in case something happened. I didn't know what our plan was going to be if Syphus did break in, but we were all going through with it.

"Sarah, you ready?" Sam said, appearing in the doorway.

I sighed, fingers twitching.

"Yeah, let's go."

I slung my bag over my shoulder and slipped so past her as she began to ask if I was sure. At this point, I was tired of people asking me if I was sure. If I wasn't, I wouldn't be here.

We climbed into her car and headed out, making a pit stop at a gas station for gas and a few more snacks. While Sam wandered the aisles, I made a beeline for the energy drinks. I pulled 3 Alani Nu Cherry Twists, grabbed large bag of Baked Lays and a dark chocolate KitKat. I dumped them onto the counter and pulled out my card, Sam's voice ringing in my ear. We paid and left, the drive to the studio starting off quiet.

"Sarah, are you good?"

"Yeah," I mumbled, leaning against my fist as I stared out the window.

"I'm gonna ask you again: are you good? And I'd like the truth please." I could hear a slight irritation in Sam's voice.

"What do you want to hear? I'm tired of everyone constantly asking me if I'm sure or ok. Yes, I'm sure, and no, I'm not ok. I haven't been "ok" in months. The only reason I eat is because we're always either going out or someone's making food, my sleep has only gotten worse, and every other day, something insane is happening to us. Something we were apparently chosen for. So no, I'm not ok, but I can deal with it. I've been dealing with it. So if everyone could just stop asking me, I'd appreciate it."

A moment of silence hung like a heavy fog over the two of us.

"Are the nightmares are getting worse?" Sam asked quietly.

"Yeah," I replied, tears starting to well. I stopped them immediately and took a breath. "But I can handle them."

"Anything new in them?"

"Not really. The same blurry symbols and jumbled words. Flashing black, green and red. Muffled screaming and whispers. Shapes I can't make out. Silhouettes of people."

"Anything you can make out?" Sam asked as we pulled into the parking lot.

"Not really, but I'm noticing things are becoming clearer. And I guess there's one thing I can kind of make out."

"What?"

"I'm pretty sure it's the silhouette of a face. It's completely black with these silver and yellow lines across the lower part of the cheek. There's two grey circles right below where the jaw would land and one about where the mouth would be with a really blurry symbol on it. The most vivid part is remember is two glowing red circles where the eyes should be. It's so blurry, yet vivid."

"Wow. That sounds scary."

"Like I said, I can handle it. I promise."

"Are you-"

"Sam, I'm sure. Please stop asking me."

"Ok, I will," she said as we walked into Red Base to meet Matt and Woods.

We entered to find them both in the spot we had chosen earlier up on the second floor of the warehouse. They waved to us and motioned to the chairs they set up. We got ourselves situated, set up a camera, and began waiting.

It was already 9 by the time we were all settled in, so we only had 3 hours until March 5th. We weren't sure when Syphus would come, if he would, or how he'd get in, but we had to be ready. We spent most of our time talking. Or at least, the others did. I was zoning out and snacking a lot.