New Beginnings

Old Nightmares 2

Fire curled up in bed, her teeth clenched as a whimper slipped past her lips. She was in her natural form now, having the same nightmare she'd been having all week. It had taken a toll on her, though she'd never admit it.

She'd been worrying her whole family. The wolf girl knew. Unsurprisingly, the most worried was Danny. The wolf teen didn't want to make him worry anymore though, so she'd stayed silent. Unfortunately, that had only served to worry him more.

The raven in question was in his own room, tossing and turning in his bed. It had gotten to the point that Phantom wrapped his arms around Danny, trying to keep him still as he ran his fingers through his black strands. Danny couldn't settle down though, seeming to be trapped in a dream.

Danny slowly opened his eyes and found himself in a horrifyingly familiar place. The walls were all white, like they had been before and he shot up, looking around frantically.

"What- w-what am I doing here? I thought I destroyed this place?" He muttered, breath coming in harsh pants as he forced himself to his feet.

"Phantom?" Danny called out, looking around in slight panic.

He was in a hallway lined with doors, one in particular looked more new than the others. A trail of scratches lead from that door too, like someone, or something, had been dragged out more than once.

If the sound of scratching coming from the inside was any indication, whatever it was, was still "alive."

He cautiously walked up to the door, opening his mouth to say something when he heard a loud bang coming from down the hall before he could let out more that a squeak. He ducked around a corner and turned himself invisible, pushing his signature down to where he was completely non-existent so the sensors that the building had wouldn't go off.

Two men walked down the hall, one on guard, holding his gun up, "Alright mutt." He said, swiping his key card and opening the door.

"Time to have some fun." He sneered. Danny heard some shuffling, but whatever was inside the room wasn't coming out. "Oh, so you're having one of those days."

The man with the gun walked in and, after a few blasts went off, he pushed a girl with thick black fur out. She wore torn up black pants and no shirt. Her gold claws scratched the floor, her eyes glowing red as she glared up at them.

"Wow, beating up a girl. Does that help your masculinity problem?" She snarled. The voice and girl herself sounded and looked familiar. Exactly like...

Danny's eyes widened, "Fire?"

The men didn't bother to respond to that, simply pulling her up roughly and shoving her forward. "Move, mutt!" One man snarled.

'If that really is Fire...then this isn't my dream,' Danny thought, watching the men corral her away, 'but if this isn't mine, then...'

It dawned on him, "I'm in Fire's dream!" He said, keeping his voice low, "But how can that be? I didn't..." he shook his head, "I need to follow her."

Fire snarled at the men, struggling halfheartedly until one of them punched her in the stomach. The wolf girl wheezed a laugh, a big grin on her face while Danny ground his teeth together, stiffly following behind them.

"We're gonna have some fun with you, Wolfie." The other commented.

"Oh, so we're having one of those days, huh?" She growled back, earning another punch to the stomach. Fire grunted, laughing again, "You hit like a bitch."

"Quiet you!" One of the men backhanded her, causing blood to drip from the corner of her mouth. Danny had to use all his will not to give himself away. He had to time this right...