Reflections of Dawn

It's not real

Nyx and Maddie huddled together in the dark, feeling as if the world was closing in on them.

Maddie rubbed Nyx's back.
"Look, we're not going to get anywhere like this. So dry your eyes, and let's discuss what we know.
One, somehow I've managed to transport myself into some kind of either mental or spirit prison, where Alysha has trapped your consciousness.
Two, Alysha is 'sharing your body', as it were.
Three, she's very likely the origin of your powers.
Four..."
"She's a bitch."

Maddie chuckled. "Very probably. Now, so you said she 'puts you here', presumably when she takes over. Well... question is, how? Because if you can discover the trick, you could potentially... reverse it or something."

Nyx dabbed her eyes. "I... don't know. I... somehow, she manages to keep contact with me whilst I'm... in control. She talks to me and stuff, whereas I can't to her when I'm... like this. I think that's why she puts me here, it's a place where I can't interfere."

Madddie twirled her hair around her finger thoughtfully. "So, it's a prison. You said it was nice at first, so maybe it's like a carnivorous plant almost, pretty at first to draw you in. Maybe. Just theorising. But... It's not real. And that's the truth of it. It's not real."

Nyx nodded, wide eyed. Maddie took her face in her hands. "Listen. It's not real. This place is not real. Got it?"

"Yes, I got it."

Maddie glanced over Nyx's shoulder, watching the surroundings flicker like TV with bad reception.
"Say it. It's not real."

"I know that already. Let's focus on getting out of here."

"Here is not a place. Because it's not real. Admit it's not real!"

"I already did!"

"Just say it!"

"It's not real! There, happy?"

And with a burst of light, the prison broke around them.