Solo Prompt: Nightmare Dream V.2 (V.1 omitted and hinted at within)
Word Count: 3,316
Inspiration/Soundtrack: 30 Seconds to Mars - Hurricane


Nightmares came and went, honestly everyone had them at some point in their lives. Back in December had started Melody's own nightmares spurned from the guilt of not being able to remember people who had lost their lives from the 'organ ring' incident. Those were the most prominent ones, the guilt eating away at her subconscious with nothing to show for it but tear stained pillows in the morning and a heavy heart. They came less and less since she moved into the dorms at Crystal Academy, or at least they weren't frequent enough that caused her worry.

Maybe that was why this newest rash of nightmares made her ill, made it hard to think on anything but the fading dreams until mid-way through her day when the thoughts had vanished like rain washing away chalk. The last one she had , perhaps the first one that was the start of all of this, still make her stomach jumble in a queasy mess when she thought about it. Screams to the tune of the music she slept with, causing her to remove that song from her play list the next morning, as she watched such horrible things happen! The very first one had been something horrid eating Ignacio and his little sister (the closet things to siblings she had), their screams still echoing in her mind to the tune of Tchaikovsky. Romeo and Juliet would never be the same.

Sadly she couldn't just stop sleeping over a couple of nightmares that bothered the heck out of her the last few days, she had school to think of (and cello practice! couldn't let that go) and she doubted her parents would take too well with her having to be held back another year. And so it was, with a very heavy heart and a stomach full of dread, she climbed into bed with out even glancing to Esen and closed her eyes. Of course as she placed her ear buds into her ears and started up her iPod she prayed to any deity or spirit listening that she not dream of Ignacio and Raina being eaten bit by bit.

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When her eyes opened she found herself in the court yard for a very familiar building, the Barren Pines court yard. Or so she could only assume as she found it hard any more to picture the campus she had attended for a year. The sky was a bright blue and the clouds a puffy white while a soft breeze blew across the green grass and flowers. It was a very pretty day out, so why was it that the breeze that brushed her skin made her shiver? Brown glanced around at the solitude of it all then moved to head for the music room when she heard the sound of running footsteps.

"There you are Mel!" called a very enthusiastic Azzo Crowley, his honey brown eyes smiling as bright as his own grin. "I've been lookin' for ya!"

Melody gave a start, eyes wide at the intrusion of the 'dog-eared' boy into the sanctity of the tranquility around her. "A-Azzo?" she inquired, voice holding a hint of disbelief at seeing him there. Something bothered her about seeing him, tugged at the back of her mind desperately, but joy quickly overrode the nagging and she smiled just as brightly before running towards him. "Azzo, you silly pup, what are you even doing here?"

"Just what I said, Mel. Looking for you." In a move she was sure wasn't like him, he pulled her to him in a tight and very warm hug.

"Oh. Well I've been here for the most part, enjoying the beautiful weather. Seems like such a long time Barren Pines had such weather, hm?"

He only chuckled at her and took her hand, leading her away from the court yard and towards the growing tree line. "Should have known to check here, though I'm surprised you don't have your cello with you." The black haired boy chuckled as he felt her shrug and tugged gently on her hand to pull her against his side. "Anyway, I was wondering if you wanted to play a game with me."

Curious browns looked up at him, head cocked to the side which caused her pig tails to brush her cheek and neck. It was really cute and she flushed when Azzo said as such. Quickly she changed the subject. "What kind of game?" she asked.

Above them the sky began to darken into an ugly green-ish grey color, the breeze around them colder and foretelling of ill things ahead. Not that she was paying attention, honestly, the presence of her pup a very good distraction. Speaking of which, the pale teen chuckled at her flush and moved to pull her along with him once more.

"Oh, I don't know. I was thinking Hide and Seek, if you were up for it."

The breeze turned into a steady wind, hinting towards an incoming storm, and the trees rustled at the sudden harshness which drew the ganguro girl's attention from her crush to the sky. Where had the storm come from? And why did she feel so suddenly ill to her stomach? A tug on her hand drew her attention back to Azzo.

"Well, song bird?"

Those eyes were on her again, waiting, and it was suddenly very hard to concentrate again. Or say no. "S-sure. It's been awhile since I last played that game."

"Great!" he seemed to purr out (when did Azzo start purring?), and let go of her hand to move for a tree in which to hide his face. "I'll count to ten while you hide. Make sure it's a good hiding place, okay Song Bird?"

When he had let go of her hand Melody found herself feeling very cold and alone, hand coming up to rest against her chest as she watched him turn. Something felt wrong, horribly wrong, and suddenly she wanted to chicken out and go back to hiding in the court yard. But she didn't, it was too late to back out now, and sucking in a breath she nodded. "A-all right Azzo. But no peeking, kay?"

There was no reply, though his hidden face gleamed with a horrid grin that was very unlike the pup she cared for. "One."

The blonde girl hesitated, fearful. When did such a fun kind's game bring such horror-filled feelings? When "two" was counted out she flinched and spun on her heel, fleeing quickly into the forest to find a spot to hide in. Maybe if she was really lucky he wouldn't find her.

"Three, four~" came the drawled out numbers, killing time until he knew she was far enough away that counting wouldn't matter. At "five" thunder crashed and the wind picked up even more speed, clouds moving quickly above him as he turned his gaze up to the sky to watch. When lightening lit up the sick colored clouds he grinned and followed the path she had gone down, finishing his count that had been paused to watch the incoming storm.

"Eight. Nine... Ten. Ready or not Mel, I'm coming for you~"



Some where along the way, in her rush to get as far away from her pup as possible, Melody had gotten herself lost in the forest. An easy thing to do when one didn't know the surrounding area too well, and that was something she was definitely guilty of. In her short time of knowing Azzo she had never once feared in. In fact she had felt a strong bond between them that only seemed to grow in strength the more she spent time with him. She was fairly certain she was in love with him too but with nothing to compare it to she wasn't sure.

So why was she terrified? Since he wanted to play the child's game with her there was a very ill feeling in her stomach, and the worst case of creepy crawlies ever. Thunder struck and she uttered a soft cry, instantly looking for a hiding place that wouldn't mean she was a sitting duck in case of lightening. With nothing else to turn to she threw herself into a bush and prayed to anyone, anything willing to listen to her, that she be spared from the horrors that were sure to come.

Suddenly there were foot steps- Pausing to try and listen over the thunder and wind she frowned to herself, no that wasn't right. There were two sets of foot steps - though really it sounded like some one was being dragged. She didn't want to look, didn't want to know! Yet, sadly, morbid curiosity won out and she peeked out between the foliage. Oh that little bit of growing curiosity was going to get her killed!

"Come out, come out where ever you are Melody~" came the too sugary call of her crush, a hint of something lurking in the back of his voice making her shudder. Azzo frowned when she didn't come bounding out like he had hoped. It would be just his luck that she pick up on something being wrong. Waiting a moment longer he called out again. "Come on Melody, the game's over. I've found you."

'Bullshit!' her mind screamed at his words. There was no way in the world he had found her if he was calling her out! She felt bad for even thinking such harsh words but panic was quickly trying to over take her and she had to shove it down lest things go wrong.

"Damn it Mel, get your a** out here now!" His voice was a growl, harsh like a really pissed off Rotti, and what ever harsh movement he did made some one utter out a small cry. It was the thought of some one else being pulled into this twisted game that had her hiding that had her peek out once again. Sure enough he had a girl held against him, her face hidden from view.

'Oh god, what should I do?' her mind wailed, panic tempered by fear for another. She didn't have long to think about it as she found herself tumbling out of the bush and rolling into Azzo's ankles. It had felt like she'd been pushed by some one wearing heels, how in the world did that factor in? With his eyes burning intently on her form she didn't have long to think about it as she pushed herself up into a standing position.

"Now see? I told you I had found you." Again with the damnable purring! "We have a new game to play, song bird. You ready?" He didn't give her much of a chance to reply before he leaned over and ripped a chunk of flesh from the girl's arm, a scream ringing out against the trees. Melody's stomach lurched, trying to revolt as she found herself watching in horror, followed by a ping of 'this is familiar' though she didn't have time to focus on it.

And this was only because he bent his head down and tore another piece of flesh from the girl, who in turn screamed once again. Which then caused Melody to bring her hands up and cover her ears, trying to drown out the noise and failing. Though for a moment all noise just stopped when she realized that one of her hands felt heavier then the other, and there was a coolness against her temple that wasn't from the breeze. She pulled her hands from her head and found a gun held tightly in the palm of her hand. Where had this come from?!

In a fit of horror (with a little bit more lurching of her stomach at the idea of holding a gun) she moved to throw the accursed item away when sound came back in a torrential rush. The wind screamed in the air, carrying the unknown girl's shrieks through the forest, sounding much like a hurricane between the wind and the thunder storm. Stumbling in surprise at the rushing return of sound, the gun remained firmly in Melody's hand and her body trembled. More so still when Azzo's chuckle seemed to slice through the roaring wind, her pupils turning to pinpricks as her head lifted.

His face was coated in blood, it dribbling down his chin like a dog who'd been too messy with it's drinking, and the most evil of looks etched his face into that of a monster. Though it could have been the razor sharp teeth too. "Enjoying yourself Mel? No? Well, maybe once we start this new game~"

"I-I don't want to play any more, Azzo..."

"Sorry song bird, you started the game and only you can finish it." He didn't look too sorry though. "This next part is all on you, though I'm curious if you can guess the next part of the game just by answering my question." He watched as she tried to form words, tried to tell him to stop or even beg that the game stop and things return to normal. It was amusing for him really and he grinned at the futility of it all. No matter what she wouldn't win. "Would you kill to save a life?"

She knew the game before he'd asked his question. Knew the second he said he was curious if she could guess. And the sheer amount of horror at the thought of shooting some one - no, killing some one! - had her turning for the bush that had once been her safety to retch up the contents of her stomach. How could he ask her to do such a thing, she was a pacifist for crying out loud! And the choice she had to make didn't help much matters either.

"I'm going to guess you've figured out, what a good girl you are! So, here's the game. You have five minutes to make up your mind. You can either kill me and save this poor girl's life. Oooor~" Well, that would be her surprise. Either way it wouldn't be good so it didn't much matter.

She’d heard the details of the game, the choices she could make and the outcome for at least one of the choices. She didn’t like this game, didn’t want to play it, and she could feel time slowing as she struggled to make the painful choice she knew she should make. But… this was Azzo before her, this was her pup… The right choice was the hardest and if she chose him over the girl she’d never live with the guilt. Her mind whirled, struggled and fought with the decisions and choices laid before her.

She could always kill the girl, her mind mused as she stood there just staring. Put her out of her misery and choose Azzo. ‘But that was still killing!’ rational argued back with a shriek. Wasn’t there a way to save the day and not harm Azzo with out some one dying? She very likely doubted it, instinct warning that some one was going to die one way or another.

Five minutes were quickly ending, too quickly for the girl to really realize Azzo was sure, and he was finding himself bored. She should have made her choice all ready! “Time’s almost up, Mel. Ten seconds left.”

Melody broke from her thoughts at the ten second count, brown eyes wide and panicked. No, no! Her time couldn’t be up all ready! Lady Luck seemed to be against her as he began counting down.

“Five. Four, three, two-”

“Me!” she cried out. “Please, take me instead and let her go!”

The counting stopped, his lips poised to say that final number. “Sorry,” he replied cheerfully. “Wrong answer!”

Melody didn’t even get a chance to argue back as thunder shook the forest and sent her falling to the ground. A crack of lightening lit up the sky and aimed for a tree, catching the now browning leaves on fire and sending the forest into gorgeous light of oranges and reds. The blonde panicked, moving hurried to get to her feet and praying all the while she could make it back to the school campus before the entire forest lit up.

The near hurricane strength wind, however, had other ideas and as it passed against the flames that it helped to feed the fire spread from one tree to another. Then another still until several trees burned brightly, savagely. She could still hear the crackling as she tried to run for the school, the sound following her quicker then she had hoped it would even as it rained. Worse yet was that over the sound of the wind, rain and fire she could hear laughter.

Turning to look over her shoulder, Melody found Azzo laughing maniacally as he watched her run. But he wasn't the only one. No, the woman he had been feasting on the flesh of was standing beside him and laughing as well, her laughter shrill and grating. And the only thing she could see of the woman was red hair that glowed in the light of the surrounding fire. Quickly she turned her eyes away, back to the path before her, but it was too late to notice the large branch that had fallen and she tripped over it.

Landing in dirt, scrapping her shin on the branch, the blonde tried her best to get back up as the crackling of wood burning grew louder around her. She stumbled and fell again before she was successful, tearing her way down the path for what she hoped would be safety. Panic, horror, regret... So many things whirled through her mind, tears running down her cheeks. Dear god if this was a nightmare please let her wake up!

Then, as if her prayers were answered, she could see the school just up ahead! She thought she could weep with joy at seeing the damn school again! Then fire entered her vision, trees falling and blocking the entrance. Melody skid to a halt, eyes wide in terrified horror. "No... Nononono...NO!" she screamed, shaking her head almost desperately. This couldn't be happening at all!

But the sad fact it was, and she was blocked off from her only escape. ... Unless she could plea bargain, beg or something! If he was her pup surely he'd have a way to save her? Rationale said no but she was beyond being rational, beyond thinking straight, and she turned to head back the way she had came.

Melody didn't get too far, however, as another set of trees fell and blocked the path. Smoke filled the air and she coughed as hectic breathing sucked it into her lungs. She turned to see if the trees would allow her exit but by now everything was aflame and her vision blurred from more then tears. She couldn't breathe!

"Azzo!" she screamed, calling out for the one who had put her in this mess in the first place. "Azzo please! Help me!"

There was no reply, save for the laughter and wind and fire. Her coughing grew worse until she fell to her knees, fingers digging in the ground. The only recourse from the coughing were the screams she managed out as the fire lapped at her skin and clothes, eating her hair and threatening to swallow her whole. Oh god it burned! And then the pained stopped. The pain stopped and her vision went black and she could feel herself falling to the ground even as the flames began to char her skin. She knew it was the sweet embrace of death and she welcomed it with open arms and tears searing into her flesh.

It was the last thing she felt as the world around her vanished...

And the first thing she felt when she woke to Esen shaking her awake.