Dreamphage

Chapter 22: All is Fair

The nightmare realm wasn't really a realm exactly. It was just a large dream level. Alex had never been here, few agents had. It wasn't exactly a safe place for agents to be wandering around.

The Dreamphage and his crew of nightmares led them through toward the large city that sat in the heart of the level. Shane had sent Kyle on ahead, probably due to the murderous gaze of all the agents. The air was smoggy and the sky was dark. Everything seemed to have an eerie red hue. The ground was dusty and spotted with pits of mud and quick sand. There was no sign of anything green and the only visible plants were a few dead, leafless trees. Alex tried not to cough at the dry air and tried not to shake as the wall of the city loomed closer. The walls were high and constructed with black brick. Behind the wall, Alex could see the tips of similarly fashioned buildings. The only way in appeared to be a large iron gate.

As they approached the entrance Alex saw what appeared to be a bog or marsh in the distance. Mist of various colours rose from the surface and large bubbles rose and popped. A figure appeared to emerge from the muck, casting off the dark sludge and limping over to solid ground. This is what happened to nightmares when they were killed. They were sent here, to this wasteland, and buried in the mud. Then, depending on their strength, weeks, months, years or even decades later they would rise and haunt dreams again. Alex had sent many nightmares to this place, and so had her friends. As they reached the wall and passed through the gate Alex could feel the eyes of nightmares glaring at her from the windows. It wasn't a good place to be a dream walker.

Alex got chills down her spine as they walked the streets, passing by shadowy figures and monsters with glistening teeth. Alex recognized some of the nightmares but there were types she'd never seen before. It was easy to forget just how many dreams happened each night and how many living creatures were created. Their world got bigger all the time. They passed by a group fighting in the streets. As they saw the agents they broke apart and glared at the them before spitting on the ground.

"Hmm, even able to break the demon brothers apart" Shane chuckled "You aren't very popular here and sure draw a lot of attention"

They soon reached what looked like a large mansion in the center of town. Vines with black roses crept up the walls and pillars from the front porch to the upper balcony.

"Lovely, isn't it?" Shane said with a smile "Welcome to my humble abode."

They stepped inside and Alex was surprised. It really was nice. As soon as you stepped through the doors you were hit with a feeling of warmth and the entrance was brightly lit and welcoming. It cast off all the gloom of the outside world. The furniture and chairs looked new and comfortable. Shane smiled at the surprise on Alex's face and Alex turned away quickly, becoming expressionless.

He led them to the back wall of the room and pulled on the wing of an eagle stature he had sitting on an end table. The bookshelf beside it swung open, revealing a secret passage. He ushered them inside. He looked cheery, like he just wanted to show his treasured guests his home. The nightmares forced them roughly down the passage and any illusion was shattered.

The passage opened to a reception area. It was brightly lit, a little like a hospital waiting room. Stacks of magazines sat on the coffee table. Bright colour chairs of pink, blue and green sat around, all of them empty. Behind a spotless white desk sat a woman. Her hair was piled high on her head and wore glasses with large rectangular rims. She looked up at them as they entered and popped the large bubble-gum bubble that she blew out of her mouth.

"Hey Shane" She said in an irritating, squeaky voice "What you got there, Mr. Dreamphage, sir?"

"Agents, Janice" Shane explained "I'm taking them down to the dungeons"