nightmare

Chapter One

I, I have known love before

I thought it would no more

Take on a new direction

Still, strange as it seems to be

It's truly new to me

That affection

Ace was gone. Gone. Captured. Dead. Honey. Captured. Leroy. Captured. Phobia. Gone. What was left of her family. Gone.

Nova walked along the sidewalk, on her way back to her dilapidated row house on Wallowridge, still in Nightmare's uniform. She had ran for the first few miles, away from headquarters, but after triple-checking that no one was following her, she slowed her pace to a quick walk.

The Anarchists had attacked the trial. Ace's trial. It had failed miserably. In the commotion, Ace had attempted to escape. The Captain had shot him. Nova, dressed as Nightmare, had tried to save him. Honey and Leroy had pulled her back. And now they were gone.

I, I don't know what you do

You make me think that you

Will change my life forever

I, I'll always want you near

Give up on you, my dear

I will never

A gunshot rang through her head. Ace. Gone. Another. Her father. Another. Her mother. A sob shook her body as she sprinted down Wallowridge and burst through the door to her house. Evie.

She had nothing left. Her family was gone. Her identity was surely discovered. Nothing to live for. She heard a ding come from her wristband, which was sitting on her kitchen counter.

Adrian: Nova, Nightmare is headed your way are you okay? I'm on my way.

Adrian: Are you dead?

Adrian: PLEASE ANSWER ME

Adrian: I'm almost there hang on Nova

Adrian: I love you

Adrian was the only thing she had, and she wouldn't have him for long. Soon he would see her as she really was. Nightmare. A fake. And he would hate her. She couldn't bear to see his face when he realized.

She knew what she had to do.

She sprinted up the stairs to her and Honey's room. Nova found her knife. She had been preparing for this. She knew that it would come to this. And she was ready. Relieved, even. She would see her family again.

You thrill me, you delight me
You please me, you excite me
You're all that
I've been yearning for
I love you, I adore you
I lay my life before you
I only want you more and more
And finally it seems
My lonely days are through
I've been waiting for you

Nova heard Adrian burst through her door. "Nova?" His voice was filled with worry. Kneeling on the ground, he raised the knife to her stomach and drew in a shaky breath. Adrian thundered up the stairs.

I'll carry you all the way
And you will choose the day
When you're prepared to greet me

Adrian burst through the door at the same time she plunged the knife into her stomach.

"NOVA!" He rushed to her side. "No, Nova, why would you do this?"

She met his eyes. Those beautiful, deep brown eyes. "I'm sorry, Adrian. There's nothing left for me here. My family is waiting."

"Nova, no. Stay with me. You have me." He stepped back and pulled out his pen. His eyes widened as he finally noticed what she was wearing. "Nightmare? Nova, you- you're nightmare?" Adrian's jaw hardened as he stared down at her. "Was any of it real?"

Nova drew in a labored breath. "You were the only thing that was real. I'm sorry it had to end this way. Goodbye, Adrian."

And finally it seems
My lonely days are through
I've been waiting for you
Ohhhh
I've been waiting
For you

Nova's eyes flickered closed, and she fell into darkness.