Anna couldn't tell if her eyes were open or closed. All she could see was black. Normally the dark didn't scare her but this was different. It almost felt like she was in a giant room. Trapped with some potential predator wandering around. Something lurking, waiting, and she couldn't see it. She took a step forward in the darkness. A loud tap echoed into it. She stopped instantly, a little scared. It almost felt like she had given away her position. But she didn't hear anything. Finally she took a deep breath and yelled out.
"Mesay?"
A loud clunk echoed behind her. Anna turned around to find Mesay lying on the ground. Some random light source from above lit up a large circle around her. Anna ran over and knelt beside her. She seemed okay but Anna would of preferred a more scenic background. She focused, trying to change the environment. Anything less creepy would do. A grassy field, a cottage home, even Red's forest would be a welcome change. But this dream was different. As hard as she tried the only thing that seemed to alter was the circle of light. It had grown a few feet further but nothing else. Anna couldn't understand. She never had a problem doing this before. It felt much more difficult this time. Something was different. Something was wrong.
"Anna?", Mesay asked. She sat up and grabbed her head. The look on her face was more of confusion than pain. "What's going on?"
"I'm not quite sure. I figured you'd..."
"Oh God...I'm dreaming aren't I?", Mesay interrupted.
"Yeah", Anna replied.
"Wait. Does that mean I'm dreaming you, or are you doing your manipulation thingie?", Mesay asked.
"The second one.", Anna answered.
"Oh, okay.", Mesay still looked confused. Then she studied Anna with skeptical eyes. "By accident?", Mesay probed.
".....sorta", Anna hesitated.
Anna had no poker face. She was caught. Sunni had confronted her right after the incident with Dox. She insisted that Anna go into Mesay's dreams and find out what was going on. When Chewie and the others had returned from questioning Avi they found Sunni and Anna arguing about it. They all convinced Anna it was at least worth a try. But they had no idea what Mesay had been dreaming. What made her get so upset. Or potentially, what she had done to Dox because of it.
Banana on the other hand had been against it for just that reason. If not only for the safety of Anna but the privacy and respect they had for a fellow butterfly. What really made Banana unsettled was that no matter how hard she had tried, she couldn't see anything about this in the future. Lately she had been interrupted in daily thought with images of Dox getting trapped. Mesay going insane, and others being killed. But she couldn't see what was causing it. Or what exactly was happening. Banana didn't realize it, but she had learned to rely on her ability to foresee events more than she knew. And that left a bad taste in her mouth.
Meanwhile Anna agreed to at least try to enter Mesay's dreams and get some insight. She was successful at least in the entering part. Now if only she could get a grasp of her abilities again. Especially while in this potentially dangerous dream.
"I knew it.", Mesay, now standing, threw up her hands in frustration. "Why? Why would you come here willingly? Did the others not tell you what happened last time?"
"Yes, but...they just wanted to make sure you were okay. And to know what was going on.", Anna defended.
"There is a reason I haven't shared the details with any of you. This place is dangerous.", Mesay insisted.
"We're in a dream Mesay. It's not that bad. If it gets really weird I can help you wake up.", Anna comforted.
"It's not just my dream.", Mesay's eyes turned intense. "I filter back and forth. And I can't control it. Or remember anything. Anna, you need to get out of here now."
"Mesay, just let tell me what is bothering you so bad. We need answers. Dox is having problems. There is something wrong with him. He fell from his staircase and now he can't understand a word we're saying.", Anna explained.
"Dox? Dox is.....", Mesay was interrupted by a low hum now emanating from the dark. She looked around very scared. "It's starting again."
Mesay grabbed Anna's shoulders and looked her dead in the eye. "Anna. Get out. Get out now! I'm not going to remember anything. Not you, not me, not Home. So I won't be able to help you. Get out Anna! We're not in a dream anymor..." Mesay stopped.
Anna watched as the recognizable light in her eyes faded to nothing but a blank stare. The hum got a little louder and after a few long minutes, Mesay loosened her grip on Anna's shoulders. Her hands let go, and fell to her side. Immediately afterward she plopped on the ground, sitting.
Anna felt something in the air change. It felt like a shift. A sudden movement that she was not aware of until it happened. It was like she had been in one place and now was moved to a dramatically different one without her knowledge. A slight chill filled the air. And a very real shiver created very real goosebumps on her skin. Anna instinctively moved her hands up and down her arms to warm them. It was then that it occurred to her. Mesay was right.
They weren't dreaming anymore.
She looked into the ether surrounding them. Desperate to find anything that would help her get some clarity on this place. She turned and saw Mesay disappearing into the darkness. Anna leaped forward to catch her before she left the circle of light completely. But as she did the spotlight seemed to follow. Anna stood still and observed the movement. She took another step forward and the light followed again.
"Well, at least there's that.", Anna said. "Mesay?", Anna ran in front of her and held her still. Looking into her eyes she could tell Mesay was not home. Something else was guiding her. Anna reluctantly let go and stepped aside. Mesay continued walking. Anna followed Mesay. And the light followed Anna. What Mesay was following, was anyone's guess.
***
They walked for what seemed like hours. Occasionally Anna would try to talk to Mesay. But would get no response. Their footsteps echoing through the space. Anna had almost given up on figuring out where they were. The echo made it seem like they were in a huge room. But they hadn't ran into any walls or stairs. The cool breeze reminded her of being outside but it didn't explain the echo. All that remained constant was the errie feeling she got from just being there.
Mesay stopped abruptly, making Anna almost run into her. Mesay turned her head slightly. Then Anna caught it. The faintest whispering coming from the distance. Someone else was in here, somewhere, whispering. Mesay turned toward the sound and continued to walk.
"Should we really be following that?", Anna asked.
It didn't matter. They were going that way anyway. It wasn't a few moments later that a faint beat started to sound. It was constant, steady, and as they continued felt like it was coming from all around them. Anna grabbed her chest. She could feel her heart begin to beat in time with it. It made her catch her breath. The whispering got louder and every now and again Anna could of sworn she heard whimpering. In the next instant little balls of blue and green light began to float around them. Passing around the beam of light that highlighted the only visible visitors to this place. The whispering was now very loud and seemed like whoever/whatever was making it, was right in front of them. Mesay stopped and starred strait ahead, not blinking.
"PapiLIO!", the whisper hissed. Then left the two in silence save the rhythmic beating. Anna stood there, terrified into shock. Unable to run.
Mesay shook her head. She stood strait up and looked around. She caught Anna in her peripheral vision and whipped her body around. Mesay had snapped out of it but she looked alarmed and it was obvious that she was studying and analyzing Anna in her head.
"Mesay, It's okay. It's me, Anna."
"Who?"
"Apolo.", the voice called.
Now they both gave their full attention to the darkness. Each of them terrified.
"What on earth is that?", Mesay asked.
"Do not be afraid. You have found us.", The voice began again.
A realization came over Anna's face. It took a second for her to finally ask, "Roivas? Is that you?"
"Yes", Roivas answered.
"You know that thing?", Mesay asked.
"We both do.", Anna replied.
"I know of lots of creepy things but I have never met this one.", Mesay quipped.
"You weren't kidding Mesay. You forgot everything.", Anna answered.
"I'm sorry Papilio. I'm sorry Apollo. But I'm glad you are here.", Roivas seemed to take a deep labored breath before finishing with, "Lonely".
"What is going on please?", Mesay asked.
"It's a long story." Anna started. "Roivas, what are we doing here?", Anna asked.
"Papillio has been visiting me. She promised to come since I rescued her.", Roivas responded.
"I didn't promise anything. I don't even know who you are?", Mesay defended.
"Eventually she will remember.", Roivas responded.
"What did you rescue her from?", Anna asked.
"The Beast.", Roivas answered. "Came to kidnap Papilio. Came to kill the rest of you."
"Do you mean Help3r?"
"Yes. Before Home."
Anna was taken aback by this. Mesay was rescued by Roivas from Help3r. But she had promised to visit Roivas.....
In The Dark Place.
"Oh No.", Anna announced worried. That's why Mesay wanted her to leave. Somehow in her dreams she went to The Dark Place. As a condition of her promise to Roivas. Now Anna was there. No wonder her ability didn't work.
"Roivas, we need to leave. These visits are making Mesay sick. They made Paradox sick.", Anna explained.
"Luxora is sick?", Roivas asked. "This is not good. I can't see Loxura"
"What are you talking about?", Anna pressed.
"I cannot see his light.", Roivas answered. "Papilio, you must remember and help the others."
"I have no idea what you're talking about!", Mesay yelled frustrated.
"If we loose one, Home will weaken."
"Weaken? Like how weak?", Anna asked.
"Home will die.", Roivas responded.
"Look I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. But all I can think of is how to get out of here. I'm sorry but I can't help you.", and with that Mesay turned around and started to walk off.
The heart beat that had been echoing though the darkness stopped. And so did Mesay. She dropped to the ground and gasped for air.
"You must remember or we will die."
Anna rushed over to Mesay's side.
"Stop it Roivas! Your hurting her!", Anna yelled.
Mesay's eyes began to burn a bright blue. She turned and quickly looked at Anna. Anna was pushed back by some unseen force. Mesay began to breathe again and all the little blue and green lights collected around her. She got up and starred at Anna. Anna just laid there unable to really move much. Mesay, eyes blaring walked next to her and knelt down.
"I'm sorry Apollo. But you need to stay here now. Don't worry. You'll be safe. We need to save the family.", Mesay's voice had changed. It was layered and distorted. She stood up, never breaking eye contact with Anna.
"Don't worry. I promise to visit.", she turned and walked out of the light and into the darkness. The little green and blue lights followed becoming the only beacon of light beyond the one she had resided in.
Anna watched the lights fade one by one. The errie feeling leaving. But a new sickness resided inside of her. It was the unease of seeing what Roivas was really capable of. And the idea that whatever happened to Dox. Was now happening to her.
"Mesay!"
"Roivas!", Anna called out.
".....ANYONE!"
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