The Lemon Meringue Boy

Part 23

Bill was sleeping, but I couldn't bring myself to leave. My head was still spinning. Did he really mean to tell me all that? Was he really so cracked that he'd ask for...help? From ME? He hated me! Bill is a mystery, but that I knew for sure. 

Was this just another one of his tricks? Was he trying to manipulate me again? That was his thing. Manipulation is how he gains power, and right then he really needed power. But still...those tears seemed pretty real. I looked down at him. There were wispy clouds starting to form around his head. He was dreaming. I hid myself behind a tree and peered out to watch it all unfold.

The first thing to appear was me. I was standing, looking up at something. I seemed scared. My hands were locked in a begging position, and although I couldn't hear sound through the bubble, I was able to lip read a few things; "stop", "hurt", "promise", and eventually I even made out "I'll do anything".

 Whoever I was talking to apparently didn't give a flying rats ass what I promised or what I would do. A glowing mass, like a surge of electricity, came from the direction I was facing and my head was sliced off. Blood spattered the bubble, making it quiver. I wanted to look away but I couldn't. The next thing I knew a figure came from the direction I'd been looking. I wasn't surprised to see Bill. He was laughing. HARD. 

What happened next happened fast. A group of shadowy figures descended on Bill, who shrunk accordingly. He assumed my position, begging and shaking. The figures flowed together to form a fist that came down on Bill with such a force that dust flew about the bubble. 

When it cleared, I saw Bill in chains, like when I'd found him in the void. Then one more chain came from behind him, thicker than the rest, wrapping around his torso and pulling him from the others. I had to squint to make out the form on the other end. I was shocked to see myself. I had stitches around my neck and was grinning evilly. I was holding Bill's chain like a leash. I swung the chain over my head, slamming Bill to the ground. 

The dream evaporated and Bill woke up, bolting upright. I hid behind the tree, breathing heavily.

That was his dream. His unfiltered subconscious. There was no manipulation in that. Was Bill...scared of me? No. Was he? I couldn't wrap my head around it. Bill. Scared. The very same creature that haunted me all year. The same guy who made the author go insane. The same monster who all known dimensions used to cower to. But... he was powerless now. What wouldn't scare him? But he was too prideful. Too much of a smartass. He'd spent so much time being feared that I'd thought it was impossible for him to feel fear. That's stupid. Anyone can fear. Fear is the main force that drives the actions of any living thing. Without fear, you can't be feared. 

I peered around the trunk of the tree one last time. He was asleep once again. This time, I had the feeling I should let him be.