Dreamwatcher | KOTLC

Chapter Fifteen: Explain

"We need to chat," Boss said darkly like he'd kill them if they said no. So they both quickly nodded even though he couldn't see them and chorused, "Yes, Boss."

"Before we begin," Sophie said, edging closer. "Are we even allowed to see what you look like? Or will we be talking to someone who we can't even see the whole time? Pfft. You're probably even some hologram."

Sophie heard Boss grunt loudly. "I have no time to listen to your squabbling. Either you listen to what I have to say, or we'll find . . . other ways, to make you listen."

"Oof," Dex said, walking to her. "Better listen; I'm too young to die."

"Sure, whatever," Sophie answered. 

"May I begin?" Boss asked. 

"Uh, sure, 'You may begin, whatever.'"

"So, as you know, we are an organization called the Dreamwatchers. Please don't be alarmed by the name. It's just so people get intimidated so they don't mess with us." Boss laughed. "Just kidding. We don't actually have a reason for the name. Anyways, I assume Shon told you about what we are trying to accomplish?"一he didn't wait for a response and continued on一"We want to find a way to travel between dreams.

"Now that I've gotten that explained, you will probably be wondering why you're here."

"Yeah," Dex said. Then the door burst open from a guard, who immediately stopped and started panting. 

"What's wrong?" Sophie asked, rushing over to him. 

The guard looked up at her. "It . . . It's here . . . Boss." It was incredible how he was able to manage that between a period of huffing and puffing. 

"What? What is it?" Boss asked, slightly worried. 

"The . . . the Cin . . . ." 

"The Cinders?" Boss demanded. It sounded like he stood up, and when Sophie peeked over, she could see the slightest bit of black. Not black hair. Just black. 

A moment later, another guard with a replica of the first guard's uniform rushed in steadily, carrying a silver tray with three mugs. He also had a shimmering gold plaque on the left side of his chest that read Aspen. L. "He meant the Cinnacreme," Aspen reported. 

"Oh," Boss replied bluntly. "Well, I don't know why he thought to run, and how he was so flustered after two minutes. Please take him to the Infirmary, Mr. Leer. And when he's woken up, please inform him of his dramatic entrance this afternoon. He'll never learn if he doesn't know his faults."

Aspen nodded and hurried out the room, carrying the other guard princess-style. Dex cleared his throat again 一 he has got to stop doing that, Sophie thought to herself 一 and scratched the side of his head before speaking. 

"Who are the Cinders?"

Boss seemed to mumble "Drat," under his breath before caring to explain. "The Cinders are our    . . . I guess you could say the enemy. Like you, we have a rebel organization attempting to foul our goals. Believe it or not, but a couple of years ago, we used to be friends, helping one another. But after we took a huge leap forward, advancing our research, upgrading our supplies and technology, they stabbed us in the back."

"What?!" Dex gasped, shocked. "Then how are you still alive?" If Sophie could face-palm, she would, but she didn't want to come off as rude, and eventually, she'd hurt her face. 

"Dex," she whispered as she brought her hand up to the side of her mouth. "It's a metaphor that the Cinders betrayed them. Understand?" 

Dex nodded and told Boss he could continue. 

"The Cinders are also working towards the same goal as us, so whenever we get close to something, they try to sabotage us."

"Have they ever succeeded?" Sophie asked, curious.

"No," Boss responded a little too proudly. "Let's change the topic; I'll explain when the time is right."

"Stupid old guys and their optimistic excuses," Dex muttered, which made Sophie gape at him. Dex wasn't the nicest to strangers, but this was crossing the line!

"Dex," she hissed. "How rude! Apologize at once!"

"No thanks, Mom," he added, the last word with a hint of arrogance. 

"Whatever . . . um, Son." Sophie wasn't the best with comebacks, obviously. 

Ignoring Dex's rudeness, she added, "When is this thing gonna wear off?"

"What thing?" Boss asked, slightly intrigued. Sophie still hated the fact that they were chatting and drinking Cinnacreme with someone who they barely know. They can't even see him!

"Shon put this thing on us to make us behave differently. It didn't work on me 一 obviously 一 but it definitely worked on Dex, as you can see."

"Ah, yes. I instructed him to put it into everyone so they could take the news of their fate less emotional. Sorry, 'Emotional' isn't a very good word to describe it, but it is by far the best I can do."

"Well, what's our fate?" Dex asked, then taking the last sip of his Cinnacreme. Sophie looked at her mug and realized she's drunk barely any. Making sure Dex or most of the guards weren't staring, she quickly chugged the rest to make it seem like she took sips more often than she really did. 

"Now, how about I learn more about you first, Mr. Dizznee. You seem to know everything about us, so explain."

"What is there to explain?" Dex asked. "You kidnapped me, kidnapped Sophie, and is holding us prisoner for a reason you have yet to explain." Sophie admired Dex for that. Sometimes he could be a nut, but just then, he showed Boss how stern he can really be. 

"Don't forget the fact that when I went to meet with you guys at Foxfire, I saw a table with a piece of paper on it that said questions you wanted to ask me. Why don't you ask me now? And why do you even want to know that?"

"I thought you didn't see that, but, alas, my thoughts have deceived me once again."

"Uh, okay? Cool?" Dex said with a bored tone. 

"I think . . . I think before we can fully trust each other. . . We need to see your face. Then we can know if you're a friend or foe." Sophie hoped her plan would work. She really hated having to talk to a giant chair.

"Am I really that handsome?" Boss joked. That line gave Sophie sad thoughts and memories about Him. She shook the thought away before she got too emotional 一 not that she cared nonetheless. "Well, I guess I could bear that. But if a word slips from either of your mouths, well, you don't want to know what could happen."

"Looks like someone fell off the wrong side of the bed this morning," Dex joked when no one said anything. After some time, Dex checked over his words when no one laughed. "Wait—that doesn't sound right."