Fred Clover

Little Fred Clover is crying in his room, his mind filled with so many thoughts, but none of them are from this time period.

"Why do I keep having this dream? It's been years since I even saw my father, why am I now tormented by him?! (Little Fred thought, his thoughts coming from his older self)... Any moment now he's gonna come in here, and there's nothing I can do to stop him. My actions are not my own, it feels like I am stuck in the body of my younger self, but my memories remain intact. I have relived this moment dozens of times now, and it always happens the same way. My mom is telling me not to worry, that she will protect me from my father. But at the end of the day it doesn't matter, he still comes through that door, and then hurts me. (Fred thinks in fear, his crying becoming even worse)... I hate this, I hate being powerless against that man, that bastard! (Fred thought in fear)... If only I could move, if only I could do something, anything at all. But it never works... I'm powerless. (Fred thought in sadness)

Just then the sound of footsteps approaching could be heard, and little Fred instinctively looks at the door, overcome with intense fear, because he knows what happens next.

"He's here." (Fred thought in dread, the figure at the door begining to turn the handle, but the door doesn't open)

The figure tries to open the door a couple more times, becoming more forceful with each attempt. This confuses Fred, because he has lived through this so many times, and it never took his father this long to get in, so why could he not get in now, he wondered.

"You know what, screw this!" (Toby yells as he kicks down the door)

"Toby?! What is he doing here?!" (Fred thought in shock)

Toby Robinson: Maybe I should have tried that with the front door." (Toby says as he turns, spotting the young blonde boy at the corner of the bed, crying his eyes out)

"Help me." (The boy whispered)

"I don't understand, what is Toby doing here?! Are we having the same dream?! But that's not even possible! (The older Fred thought, unable to speak through his younger self)

Toby Robinson: Are you okay, what do you need help with? (Toby asks as he rushes towards the young boy, but quickly stops himself)... Oh I see what's going on here, you're trying to trick me. You're that Wraith, and you're disguising yourself as a kid so that you can get the drop on me. Well that's not gonna work, you better just show yourself! (Toby tells the boy, now seeing him as a threat)

"What is he talking about? What's a Wraith?" (The older Fred wondered)

Toby Robinson: Don't wanna show yourself, still trying to trick me?! Well then I'm just gonna blast you with my Dream... (Toby says as his eyes begin to power up with dream energy, but then he stops himself, wanting to confirm something first)... Inspect. (Toby said, using the skill on the boy)

[Inspect]

[Name: Fred Clover]

[Race: Human]

[Level: None]

[Skills: None]

Toby Robinson: Oh my God, I am so sorry, Mr Clover. Are you alright? (Toby asks as he rushes over to the boy, now knowing that he is his teacher)

"Help me." (The boy tells Toby, tears still streaming down his face)

Toby Robinson: Don't worry sir, I'm gonna get you outta here... Come with me. (Toby says as he extends a hand to the boy, expecting him to take it)

Little Fred Clover doesn't take the hand, he just keeps crying, and repeating the words 'Help me'.

"No! No! No! Toby you have to get out of here, it's not safe!" (The older Fred yells out, but his warnings go unheard by Toby, his voice still trapped in his younger self's mind)... Damn it all! I have to find a way to warn him, I can't let someone else get hurt! This happened to me, this is my trauma, my burden, only I should bare it! (Fred thought in anger, feeling very frustrated by his powerlessness)... Toby! Toby! You have to hear me! Get out of here right now! It's not safe, if you get hurt here, it will affect you in the real world! Toby!!! (The older Fred bellows, but his words do not exit the lips of his younger self, so Toby hears none of them)

Toby Robinson: Do you want me to carry you? (Toby asks him)

[Warning: You Are In The Presence Of A Dangerous Nightmare Being, A Wraith]

[Be Wary]

Toby quickly turns back, seeing a dark figure approaching the room door, and once it steps through it, Toby can finally see the Wraith.

Toby Robinson: There you are. (Toby said determinately, wary of the humanoid monster)

[Name: Abusive Dad]

[Race: Humanoid Type Nightmare Being]

[Level: Normal Grade Nightmare Being]

[Skills: Powered By Fear]

Toby Robinson: Don't worry sir, I've got this! (Toby says confidently)... Tamed Summoning, Summon Prince Charming, Noble and Browny! (Toby yells)

[Tamed Summoning Failed]

[Corruption Energy Interference]

Toby Robinson: Oh right, forgot about that. (Toby realises)

[New Quest Received: Survive this encounter with a Wraith]

[Quest Reward: Level Up And More]

[Quest Penalty: Possible Corruption, Certain Death]

"What did you do, Freddy? What did you do?!" (The nightmare being bellows, it's booming voice shaking the furniture around them)

"I'm sorry, dad!" (Little Freddy pleaded, staring at the thing that is clearly not his real father)

"Oh you're gonna be sorry. After I'm done with you." (The nightmare growls as it moves towards them, removing it's belt to use on the boy)

Toby Robinson: Fascinating... It's very weird that you actually think, that I'm going to stand here and watch this! (Toby said in anger, his eyes burning with dream energy)... Don't worry sir, I won let him hurt a hair on your head. (Toby tells the boy)

The monster rushes towards them, it's hand raised to strike Toby with the belt. But Toby's eyes are already burning with dream energy, and his favourite word escapes his lips.

"Dream Beam!!!" (Toby bellows as he blasts the monster in the chest with the dream beams, launching it through the ceiling and straight out of the house)

Witnessing the awesome power of the dream beams, sparks a look of surprise from young Fred Clover, and for the first time since this nightmare began, he is finally able to express his own thoughts.

Fred Clover: What did you just do? (Fred asks in shock, his form now back to that of an adult)

Toby Robinson: Did I just blow up the ceiling, or did I blow your mind?! (Toby says as he turns back, smiling as his eyes continue to burn with dream energy)

[-13 Dream Points]

[Dream Bank: 4824 Dream Points]

Next: How Strong Is A Wraith?