Work Text:
I observe. I belong to the night, in the dark. I am a nightmare. Children are usually my thing, but I’ve found this dream and I couldn’t say no.
It’s childish even if it belongs to a grown man. It’s repetitive. A father and a son, playing with swords.
I can hear the sound of their laughter.
I replace it with music.
It’s a song.
The man doesn’t know it, it’s not from his time.
Israel Hands.
It’s a nice song, though. I like it.
I know, you belong to somebody new
But tonight you belong to me
Although, we're apart, you're a part of my heart
But tonight you belong to me
Wait down by the stream
How sweet it will seem
Once more just to dream
In the moonlight
My honey I know
With the dawn that you will be gone
But tonight you belong to me
But tonight you belong to me
Just to little old me!
His father is no longer here and he is no longer a child. He’s confused, I like it. It’s tasty.
“Father?” he calls. He gets no answer.
I take the form of a little girl and show myself to him; I can feel his heart beating faster in his chest, in the waking world, where he’s sleeping, in his cot. Fear running through his veins, and my lips curl in a genuine smile.
“He’s not here, Israel Hands. Didn’t you hear the song? You’re mine, now.”
“Who are you?” he asks.
“You want my name? It doesn’t matter. You won’t remember my exact words” I reply, knowing perfectly well how dreams and nightmares work. “But I’ll take this, if you don’t mind” my shadow expands under my feet and I reach out my arm. My hand is black, my fingers are long and clawed. I easily push my entire fist into his chest and he’s on his knees. He tries to scream but no sound comes out of his mouth.
I can feel he’s trying to wake up, but I put my other hand – the good one – on his forehead and I caress his hair out of his face. Not yet.
I yank his heart out of his chest, still beating, still bleeding. “Nobody cares about it anyway” I sank my fangs into it, all the fear and terror flows into me as I stare into his soul with my black eyes. He reaches for his heart with wide eyes, he blinks and the moment after he’s gone. Awake. It doesn’t matter. I’m full, anyway.