Nightmares Within Me

Night 3 and Night 4

CHAPTER 3

We were woken up about half way through the next afternoon by Nicoli running around the site yelling something about it being back. I immediately grabbed my rifle and stepped out of the tent before he got around to the rest of the group. They all needed to sleep so I was planning on letting them. I caught up to Nicoli before he could get to anyone else's tent. I called out that nothing was wrong, even as I saw the creature lingering in the tree line, watching us all as we slept. I walked towards it, Nicoli coming up on my right and for some god forsaken reason with Justyn was on my left in a second.

" Ready to do this again Fireheart?" A question and a challenge. Whether or not i'd let it take my friends. The nickname of a fire-wielding assassin from a book we both loved, the nickname given to me by him for my own heart of fire and sheer will to keep those I love safe from harm.

" As long as I have my wolf with me," i said. Nicoli gave a weird look but Justyn continued.

" Your mate and mine alike sleep just behind us." That gave me the push I needed as I quoted another book.

" No mourners," I said as I stopped about fifty yards from the tree line.

" No funerals," he replied.

"Until darkness claims us."

He simply laughed and I looked at him and he seemed to understand my plan as he split off to the left and into the tree line around the creature.

I told Nicoli to get everyone out of the way quickly and quietly and under no circumstances was he to let Lillian or Ryder get out of his sight. He nodded and took off back to the tents.

" You can come out now," I called. Within a second the creature was before me. Though its mouth didn't move I heard its voice slipping through my head and it's claws dancing at the edge of my mind.

" What do you think you're going to be able to do that you haven't already tried. Your friends will die. You'll see that field again. It doesn't matter what you do." Its voice was like an oil slick floor in my mind.

" You see, the thing is none of them deserve to die," I declared. "None of them deserve to be touched. I on the other hand deserve all that you have done to them and me and more. I let so many things happen to me and I am ashamed of that. I got raped many times and did nothing. I let those i love the most die five times now and haven't done enough to stop it. Haven't done enough to save them. I watched three of the people I love the most be killed and watched them tortured for weeks and was kept from them by a wall I couldn't get through. Those three make up my court. The only people in my group I would trust with the most sensitive information and with anything dangerous I have a plan for. I let so many things happen to them. Here and out of this nightmare. I have hurt them all. I hurt everyone of them and I don't deserve anyone I have."

" No you don't. You deserve to see them suffer just to know that you're a failure and that no one will love you after this. Why do you think they all remember everything. Some of them won't say it because they don't believe it, others won't talk to you anymore after tonight." I could feel all of them behind me and was completely aware of Nicoli silently holding Ryder and Lillian. I could smell the salt in their tears and the despair in their souls.

" No, maybe they won't and that's fine. I've failed them as a friend, as a person, and for one as a mate. I have failed them and I have fought everyday here and out to keep from falling apart at that realization. They won't leave and I don't know why. I haven't gone to the field because of that fact. Let them remember." I turned around to see even Justyn in that line up." Let them know that I am a failure and that I caused all this and all of this is because of me. All their pain is because of me and i have not done enough to stop it." I turned back towards it. I took two steps forward, dropping my gun and heard three collective gasps. I knew exactly who they were but didn't turn back.