Somnia Moon

Chapter 15: Psycopaths

Christina took Zoe to the hotel entrance, holding her hand as they walked, andthey kissed before they parted. The instant Zoe was out of sight,Zophar's voice drifted up from the bracelet that wasn't really abracelet, completely destroying her good mood.

"Christina?We have a situation."

Hisvoice had always annoyed her, reminding her of a whimpering dog, butshe put up with it because having him under her control wasincredibly advantageous.

"Zophar,honey, how many times have I told you not to contact me during theday? Someone could hear you."

"Iknow, but this is important."

"Itbetter be."

Ahesitation. "One of the prisoners escaped."

Angerbegan bubbling inside her, and when she spoke her voice was overlyfriendly in an attempt to cover up her rage - she had to stay onhis good side. At least for now. "You let one of the prisonersescape?"

"Look,I'm really, really - "

"Whichone?"

"Thefluffy one."

Good.So her plan wasn't completely ruined. And Zophar wasn't going to haveeach of his teeth slowly and painfully removed, one by one, beforehaving his skin peeled off like an orange.

Beforeshe could respond, Zophar's whining voice once again filled her ears."Do you want me to send the bears after him?"

"Whichsector's he in?"

"Gin16."

"Thatwon't be necessary. Just keep me up to date on his position."Christina said, smile beginning to stretch across her ironicallyinnocent face. Finally, finally she had the opportunity tokill Myddnight. She had planned to do so eventually, but had been toobusy. Now would be the perfect time! She could hardly wait; Myddnightbehaved like a child, which meant more begging, more screaming, moreconfusion, more questioning why, how was this happening? So much fun!

"Willdo." Zophar replied as Christina swiftly checked her surroundingsto see if anyone was watching. It was so early there wasn't a singleperson to be seen, and so she removed the pocket knife from her jeanspocket, flipped it open, then delved into the depths of the forest.Her forest, in search of her prey.

*

WhenAlex awoke, she was scared, the fear present in her dreams stalkingher even when she was no longer sleeping. She was momentarily dazed,thinking her dream had been real, thinking that she really hadmurdered Zoe, just like she'd murdered Zack and Willow. She hadn'tmeant to. In her dream, she had seen Zoe talking to Christina, andsuddenly her mind clouded and her body was consumed by darkness, andshe'd jumped at her, beat her slowly to death with nothing but herfists. And Christina just laughed. Watched and laughed. Alex waslaying in the bed, terrified, because although she now realized thatthe dream hadn't been real, she knew just how easily it could becomereal. She hadn't meant to kill Willow. She hadn't meant to kill Zack,either; despite everything he did, she hadn't wanted him to die, andyet before she knew what had happened she had found herself standingover his corpse with a blood-dripping knife clasped in her tremblinghands. What if it happened again? What if she lost control andseriously hurt, or even killed, someone she cared about?

Theclock on her bedside table read 5:27. It was way too early, but sheknew there was no way she would be able to get back to sleep now. Soshe got up, swiftly showered, got dressed, and tried her absolutehardest to banish all negative thoughts from her mind. She foundherself wondering if Piper and Myddnight were ok; as far as she knew,they still hadn't returned. If it were up to her, she would refuse togo with Rowen to the Freedom Complex and instead focus on searchingfor them. But of course, it wasn't her decision.