Dream Come True

22

MY heartbeat thumped deafeningly in my ears as I felt my way through the darkness. Each foot slid awkwardly forward while one arm trailed against the wall, the other flailing about in front of me. The wall gave way and I yelped at the change of texture under my fingertips, now touching what felt like a large wooden door. I froze, every muscle tensed painfully, ready to run if my idiotic cry had alerted anyone. I deemed it safe enough to continue and crept into the room, following my nauseous gut. My heart leapt into my throat as fabric brushed against my cheek. Gently pushing past the curtain I continued taking clumsy steps forward when every hair prickled upwards.

"Pythia." The horrifying whisper boomed through the theatre as I spun around falling onto my back in a tumble.
"How nice of you to join us." The voice slithered out of the obscurity around me again like serpent. A small flick of a switch and scorching lights blinded me. I threw an arm over my face and turned my head to the floor, the beams piercing my eyes like needles. As my eyes adjusted, I squinted forward and focused my eyes on the man ahead of me. Skin folded like crepe paper over his long twig-like body and his hair fell unevenly in a botched haircut, sticking out oddly all over his head. Sunken, skittish eyes that seemed too large for his lanky face watched my every move like a cat with its prey. Dread sank in my stomach as I recognised him from my recent dream.

I heard a moan behind me and I snapped my head around to see Drey flopped into an agonizing heap, his face scrunched in pain in the middle of a wide circle of rolling mirrors. I turned back in shock to face the man again only to see that his eyes still hadn't left me. His fingers twitched nervously by his side. Drey groaned again and I reached for him.
"No!" The wild man's scream echoed eerily of the walls and I snatched back my hand. His mouth was now stretched into what I could only assume was a smile as he let out a maniacal laugh.
"You won't be able to help him." His eyes now slid curiously to Drey's body struggling on the stage floor, the toothy grimace still on his face.
"Nothing's hurting him." I stared disbelievingly between him and Drey's figure. Seemingly recognising my confusion, he elaborated.
"Oh, he definitely feels pain. But it's all in the mind. It's how I keep him... on track." His cackle sent shivers down my spine. His hand then reached out and Drey's squirming stopped and stood up abruptly, the body now working like a puppet. Like déjà vu, I rewatched Drey sneer at me, every angle of his face sharply reflected on the mirrors around him, just like my vision.
"Hey Pippa." Cruelty dripped from Drey's voice like venom, as he stepped towards me. I scrambled backwards, desperately trying to get to my feet.
"Stop. Please! Stop, look what you're doing to him!" I yelled at the wild, scrawny man.

Although Drey's face was still morphed into an expression of scorn, my heart tore as I watched the usual pain and resistance screaming in his eyes, begging me to rescue what was left of his soul. The puppeteer grunted with effort.
"Stop doing that! Whatever you're doing stop. I'm trying to cleanse the world. The world needs to be clean!" He shouted. Suddenly he released Drey as he took a sharp intake of breath, breaking off into a hysterical rant.
"Clean, Clean! Mumma always said I was dirty, saying 'Dougal you strange boy, be clean, be clean'. I must be clean! The world needs to be clean." He paced the floor in his hysterical rant. His hands clutched at the sides of his face as sank into a crouch with a dry sob. I grabbed Drey from under his arms and dragged him behind a curtain, shielding ourselves in the darkness.
"Pippa," Drey's voice shook. "Please, you have to believe me, I –" I put a finger to my lips cutting him off as Dougal composed himself. I watched in terror as his face transformed from inner turmoil to utter rage. His wild eyes searched the darkness as he gave a horrible roar.

Xander. I pushed my thoughts out desperately, praying that he would catch them. I peered out past the curtains, my pulse skyrocketing as I saw Dougal had disappeared.
"We have to go." I whispered urgently to Drey in the darkness. I felt him nod and we rose to our feet as quickly as my dared, crawling towards the door.
"There you are." Dougal low voice said, alarmingly close.
"Run!" I cried and we shot off down the stairs. Drey's fatigue soon showed it was affecting him but we pumped our legs forwards and continued running until we made it outside and he collapsed behind the pile of rock I had left my friends behind earlier. My anxiousness refused to dissipate as I rummaged through the horizon. Risking being caught, I forced myself to stand, again shoving my thoughts towards Xander. I felt him respond desperately, mentally calling my name. Relief flooded through me as I finally saw him break through the dusty haze and pulled me into his strong arms.

We stood like that for a second until he stiffened and pushed me behind him.

"What the hell is he doing here?"