Susie Walters: A Wraith... hunting in my school? That's unacceptable! (Susie fumed, her fist clenching tightly as the image of Fred entering her office replayed in her mind, that thing draped over his shoulders like it belonged there)... No, calm yourself, Susie. You can't act just yet. (She drew a slow breath, her eyes narrowing with simmering fury)... I need to find out who sent it... and make them take it back. Or so help me, I'll destroy it myself. (The principal's gaze burned, glowing with quiet, unshakable rage)
Toby stared at the shadowy creature, frozen in disbelief. His thoughts scrambled for an explanation, but nothing made sense.
Toby Robinson: What the heck is that? (Toby muttered, his voice trembling with fear)
[Warning: You are in the presence of a very dangerous Nightmare Being... A Wraith]
[Be Wary]
Toby Robinson: A Wraith? What is that? (The young dreamer asked his system, his eyes fixed on the creature of shadows)
[Wraith: A creature born of nightmares, feeding on the deepest fears and insecurities of others to gain a physical form. It typically attaches itself to a host, but will abandon the body if it becomes unviable]
Darasimi Daniels: Something feels wrong. (Darasimi thought, taking a couple steps back, a wave of unease creeping over her in the teacher's presence)
The whole class is bombarding Fred with questions at this point, but Darasimi can sense something wrong with this man. She doesn't know what, but the feeling of dread is very strong.
Darasimi Daniels: This feeling... It's familiar. (The young Dreamwalker thought hard, trying her best to remember)... It reminds me of those monsters I saw in that dream... the shadows creatures. (Darasimi recalled them vividly, the same chilling fear washing over her once again)
Toby Robinson: A Nightmare Being... and it's feeding off Mr. Clover's fears. But what does that mean? He seems fine to me. (Toby pondered, narrowing his eyes as he focused more intently on the teacher's expression)
The school teacher seemed cheerful at first glance, but a closer look told a different story. Faint bags hung beneath his eyes, and his smile looked strained, almost forced.
As he moved to sit down, he winced ever so slightly, a fleeting sign of pain he was trying very hard to hide.
Fred Clover: Alright, everyone. Take your seats. (Fred instructed the class)
"Aww..." (The class groaned in unison as they shuffled back to their seats, though their smiles showed they were glad to have their biology teacher back)
Fred Clover: Okay, guys. I know I've been gone for a while now, and I think you all deserve an explanation... I was involved in an accident. Nothing too serious, but... it did leave me in bad place for a bit. (Mr. Clover explained to the class)
Lerange Smith: Bad place? What happened to you, Teach? (Lerange asked, his voice laced with concern)
The rest of the class began chiming in, voices overlapping as they pressed Fred for more details.
Fred Clover: Maybe "bad place" was the wrong way to put it. I was just... healing, physically and mentally. Look, I'm still trying to cope with what happened, but I know that spending time here with you all will do me a lot more good than sitting at home alone. Now, without any further ado... let's get this class started, shall we? (Mr. Clover said with a smile as he rose from his seat and walked toward the whiteboard, marker in hand)... You guys ready? (He asked brightly)
The whole class erupted with cheerful replies, so happy to have their teacher back. But Toby didn't join in. He sat frozen, staring at Mr. Clover in horror.
Behind the teacher's forced smile the Wraith was there, its shadowy form coiled around him, its clawed hands clamped tight around his neck. It was grinning, a twisted, hungry smile that made Toby's blood run cold.
Silas Gravestone: So let me get this straight... you've got a Wraith problem, and you expect me to handle it? (Silas said into the phone, his eyes glowing a deep, menacing red)
Susie Walters: I believe I was clear enough with my request. So just tell me, can you can handle this or not? (Susie said from the other side of the line)
Silas Gravestone: It's not an easy thing to deal with a Wraith. If it were mine, I could simply summon it back. But without knowing who it belongs to, I can't drive it away. (Silas explained)
Susie Walters: I have an agreement with your grandfather, and this is breaking the terms of our deal. Fix it quickly... or I'll deal with that abomination myself! (Susie snapped before hanging up the phone)
Silas Gravestone: (Sighs) Any thoughts, Harry? (Silas asked the older gentleman, standing before him)
Harry: I'll ask around, find out who the Wraith belongs to. (Harry offered without hesitation)
Silas Gravestone: I'll do the same, once I'm finished with school. (Silas told him)
Harry gave a respectful bow before vanishing into thin air, leaving Silas alone in the restroom stall. Silas's eyes slowly returned to normal as he prepared to leave.
Silas Gravestone: This could become a problem... better solve it fast. (Silas muttered before stepping out of the stall, passing a fellow student at the sink)... What are you looking at?! (Silas snapped with a glare, making the guy quickly avert his gaze)
Susie Walters: Calm down, calm down, calm down! (Susie repeated angrily, her glowing blue eyes pulsing with each sharp breath)
Elsewhere, the young Dreamer glared at the Wraith, watching as the Nightmare hovered behind their teacher, maintaining physical contact with him at all times.
While the Wraith doesn't seem to be able to hurt the teacher, its presence still puts the young Dreamer on edge. Toby hated seeing it around Mr. Clover, knowing exactly what it was doing to him. He instinctively knew he had to do something, but what could even be done?
But that's when he remembered something, a tool in his arsenal that might help him get rid of this Wraith.
Toby Robinson: Dream Sharing... I might be able to use it to go into his dreams, and beat that thing... But I've never tried something like this before, I haven't even tested it yet. But the real question is, how do l enter the dreams of someone who's awake? This is complicated. (The young dream thought to himself, puzzled by these questions)
[Dream Sharing: This skill forms a link between two minds, allowing the Dreamer to venture into or manipulate the dreams of another. Subject must be unconscious for this to be effective]
[Sleep: This skill induces an hypnotic trance on a target, harmlessly causing them to lose consciousness and fall asleep in seconds]
Toby Robinson: I've got a good feeling about this... I can do this. (Toby enboldens himself, his glare still focused on the Wraith)... Nightmare beings are completly unknown to me, there's no telling how strong this thing is, or if I can even take it down... But I am sure about one thing, that monster is hurting the nicest teacher I've ever met. If I don't even try and help him, then what's the point of having these powers?!... You better be ready, Wraith. I'm going to blast you into oblivion! (Toby steeled his resolve, his eyes glowing bright with determination)
Darasimi Daniels: Guess I'm not the only one who can see that thing... Just who are you really, Toby Robinson. (Darasimi wondered, staring at the young Dreamer with a glimmer in her eyes)
Next: Sleep.