Nightmares come True...

[Anjolie Quinn]

For two days they hadn't even spoken. Hank reported having spotted him the night after it all happened, but had let Cory know that Quinn wasn't at home. This wasn't entirely true. She was home, but had been delivered to her bedroom by the Drasoinis after Illusia's spell. Something had been steadily changing about her friend. Was it a reoccurance or something new rearing its ugly head? She did not know.

The night before, when she'd spoken with Anubis, Illusia had been on the verge of spitting nails at the man. Quinn knew she was just trying to be protective. What was it about the whole event that triggered the change in the woman? It was on the following evening that Quinn was destined to find out. The night would begin with Cory's challenge against Max in the Annex on Friday.

The entire day before the event had been a mix of emotions. Quinn was still confused about the images Max had placed in her mind after Cory issued his challenge. She had learned that he was Anubis's second during his assault on Rena for the Overlord title. This fact had shaken her considerably. Anjolie could usually stay calm and open-minded enough to show respect for Anubis in the context of human dignity and worth which she believed all people to possess. That being said, the very sight of him made her angry.

Kallie had insisted on attending the challenge that evening. Anjolie did not want her going. There were strange and dangerous things happening with the powers that be in Rhydin at the moment. They had agreed on making a t-shirt with Kallie's message and hands for Quinn to wear to the event. Anjolie hadn't minded at all. She had joined Illusia at the event and sat in the same section as all the others. Dracos was making a rather amusing attempt to cheer for both sides. They were both so sweet. After the challenge was finished, the others departed and Anjolie was left to speak with Cory alone. This would prove to be a much harder task that she had originally thought.

At the end of soft whispers of encouragement, they had been cold to one another. Quinn didn't know how to speak with him and Cory didn't seem to have the strength to deal with it. He had left for the Arena a few minutes later. Quinn remained in the Annex and let her emotions flow freely. At the end of her sobs, red faced and all, she'd climbed the stairs and tried to sneak through the Arena to reach the Inn and parking lot above.

It was then that he had followed her....

The conversation began slowly, but easily bled into a thousand uncomfortable topics and secrets being revealed. They had stood there by the truck for nearly an hour whenever the cold got the best of them. Quinn had agreed to start the truck and drive them back to the ranch. It was Cory, however, who took their chattering to a new level. He wanted to talk about Illusia. But, why?

As the heater blarred and the vehicle rolled easily over the paved roads of Rhydin's highways, Anjolie listened intently to the past history of Illusia Marcine-Drasoini. About her multiple partners and twin sister. About Cory and Illusia studying together under some Durax fellow. About Illusia's children being born out of magic. It was all very strange. Not to mention the news that the woman had been a virgin up until meeting Dracos. That was very, very strange. Anjolie couldn't imagine having children without the... well, perks, really.

After missing her exit and getting an "I told you so" look from Cory after him warning about her concentrating on the road, they found another side path and veered onto the gravel road which would easily lead them home. It was then that the story began to change.

Cory started talking about some man... two men, that Illusia had befriended and supposedly seduced. He spoke of people in the area being outraged and downright vicious to her upon the discovery of these events. Anjolie felt the pit fall out of her stomach. The voices rose to a deafening volume in her mind and flashes of her nightmare danced across her vision. She'd pulled the truck over and switched sides with Cory... complaining about her eyes playing tricks on her.

The flashbacks continued as they drove, reaching a terrifying point as they approached the ranch. Anjolie's violet eyes went white with the pain. A mental barrier being suddenly unlocked was the last thing she needed right now. Stumbling, falling, she made it into the house and up the stairs to bed.

"We need to talk to your sister"

A confused expression crossed Cory's face as Quinn struggled against the mental attack and continued along her way.

"You wan' ta go back?"

"No, I need to sleep."

Something in her gut was telling her that the four post bed was where she'd find the answers to her questions. The nightmare was becoming real. Anjolie had reached the bedroom and gone about her evening ritual with great haste. The gash on her forehead from the fall on the stairs was washed clean. She had explained the whole situation to Cory as he waited. She hadn't meant to scare him so.

And agreement was reached that he would spend the night with her, if for nothing else than to be there if the nightmare peaked as it had several nights past. Anjolie wasn't sure what was happening, but the whole situation was revolving around a thing of her dreams. Already exhausted from the long day, she slipped easily into the slumber which was to bring her the answers she'd sought after these endless nights.

I know why, Illusia. I know why.

((Cross Posted in Shadows Unbroken. The following dream and events will be cross posted as well.))