The Sword And The Shield (X-Men) (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

Chapter Fifty-Four: Nightmares

Jade's POV

The children go to bed, leaving the house quiet. I'm sitting on the red velvet couch by the fire, gazing at the books on the shelf. They all seem pretty stupid, and difficult to read. "This is stupid." I mutter under my breath, standing with a start and walking over to the stairs. There is a thump behind me and I turn my head. A book has fallen off the shelf. Knowing that Storm or Jean would make a fuss over it, I walk to the spot and pick it up. My fingers trace over the golden words on the spine of the book. The Iliad. A flash of pleasant memories crosses my mind and I smile, for less than a second, feeling happy. With the book in my hand, I make my way to my room. Belle's door is open and the light is on, but I don't feel like talking. My bed covers wrap around me and I open the book, running my fingers over the pages. Shade struts into my room and jumps onto my bed, curling into a ball at my feet. Normally, he wouldn't be allowed inside, but Logan says he's my emotional support dog, wolf, now.

The light in my room seems to dim, causing my eyes to droop. You aren't tired Jade. My eyes continue to scan the pages until they close unwillingly, casting me into a peaceful yet unplanned sleep.

~My feet splash through the small puddles on the crowded sidewalk. Everyone who passes me is dull and grey; none of them have a pleasant look on their face. I keep walking, despite the constant push against me coming from total strangers. A dark alley is on my right, but I know better than to go down it, so I keep walking. His voice comes to me, sounding like he always did: content and there. "It was many and many a year ago, in a kingdom by the sea." I open my mouth, though no words come out. There I stand at the corner, listening. Oh, just hearing his voice again... "That a maiden there lived whom you may know, by the name of Annabel Lee." I'm scared to turn the corner, but that fright leaves with each line he sounds off. I slide to the ground and hug my knees to my chest. "And this maiden she lived with no other thought, than to love and be loved by me." Listening, I close my eyes and dream of his face~

Unknown's POV

Here I stand, in the corner of her room. She is laying on her side, facing away from me. The black covers slide off as she moves in her sleep, moving down to only cover her legs. The wolf has yet to sense my presence.

I take a deep breath and blow, dark smoke leaving my lips and flying over to her. The darkness starts swarming her head and I watch as the expression on her face instantly turns cold.

~I'm spectating the dream I have created, or what will soon be a nightmare. The girl is huddled by the corner of the alley, not daring to look down the dark path. Her head lies in her lap as she listens to the soft voice speak. "I was a child and she was a child, in the kingdom by the sea." A calmness falls over her as her breathing steadies. I will for her head to rise, and she courageously gazes down the dark alley. Her eyes fall upon another huddled figure in all black. His wrists are revealed and she gasps at the sight of a cloth bracelet wrapped around his right wrist. She is afraid to speak his name in fear that she is wrong and that this is just a dream. Which in this case, she would be right. The people on the sidewalk have disappeared, and the next time she opens her eyes, he is right there. "But we loved with a love that was more than love, I and my Annabel Lee." He's standing there, leaning against the brick wall with his hands in his pockets. Her green eyes trail up his body and her focus shakes when she sees his face.

"Aaron?" Her voice is a whisper but he smiles his charming smile and gives her his hand. She takes it and stands to her feet. Her eyes are glued to his chest but he lifts her chin with his finger.

"Come on now," He says with a small grin, "Eyes on me." She blinks twice, almost as if she's just realizing that it's him. A wide grin spreads onto her face and she lets out a small shriek.

"Aaron!" He chuckles as she jumps into his arms, tightening her grip around his neck.

"Hey there, stud." His arms tighten around her back and he squeezes her tight. This moment is precious and key. Timing has to be perfect, so I give them a few more minutes. The shadows will know what to do. The boy's form flickers like electricity and his expression changes from contentment to conflict. His arms release the girl and she drops to the ground, confused. "Why did you do it Jade?" The name sends shivers up my spine, but the shadows are finally getting to work.

"W-What?" A look of pure confusion is plastered on her face.

"Why did you let go?" He takes a step forward as she backs away. His hands motion to her, placing the blame on her. "Why did you hurt me?" She shakes her head repeatedly and shuts her eyes.

"I didn't, it wasn't my fault." Her green eyes flash with mixed emotions, and I know that she blames herself. A stirring inside me causes my head to roar but I will all my concentration to make it stop. 'Enjoy the show' I say. Blood starts pooling on the boy's black shirt and his hands shoot to the wound. When he pulls them away, they are dripping with blood.

"Why did you do this to me!" He falters and falls against the wall, slowly sliding to the ground. She starts to scream his name and drops to his side, trying to keep his head up. He has turned an ashen grey color and his eyes are losing shine.

"Aaron please." She begs. "You'll be okay." His sweat and blood covers her hands and she whimpers more, not knowing what to do. "Please don't leave me again!" Black figures form around her and her eyes dart from each and every one of them. "W-Wha-What's going on?" Dark light flies at her and she attempts to swat it away. Voices of people she had once known enter her mind and she screams for them to stop. She continues to scream the boy's name, asking and pleading for him to save her. My head begins to feel like a hammer is being brought to it, over and over again. 'Stop it' I hear the voice say. 'STOP HURTING HER'. I handle the pain and chuckle. I am in control, this is my life, and this is my power. I return my focus on the nightmare taking place. The boy's body has fallen limp to the ground, his eyes glazed over. "Aaron no!" She out, shaking his body, "NO!" She falls back onto the ground and covers her ears with her hands. Her body starts to shake and tears are streaming down her face. "No no no." Yes, I praise my works. The shadows close in on her and she doesn't do anything about it. Fear them. Be scared. Be angry.

"Wake up Jade!" A faraway voice shouts over the buildings of the dream. It echoes through the streets and she lifts her head, looking around for the speaker. "It's a dream!" She stands up uneasily, glancing in every direction at the shadows and demons coming after her. Her feet start to move, and soon she is sprinting down the street, running passed parked cars and broken street lamps. I follow her in the shadows of the drones she passes. "Wake up!"~

The wolf's teeth are tearing into my leg, causing an unpleasant amount of pain. The girl wakes up screaming and the wolf bites harder. He knows I am hurting her. He ruined the game.

"Stupid dog." I grab him by his shadow and throw him against the opposite wall, unfortunately drawing attention to my position. She gathers enough of her composure to focus her anger on me, glaring in my direction with her glowing eyes.

"Who are you?"

I smirk and raise my arms, disappearing into darkness.

I am gone.