"Kids, miracles aren't free," Barry said matter-of-factly. "Kristen paid the price, so she deserves her reward. You freeloaders who got lucky shouldn't expect too much."
That wasn't what they'd agreed on earlier. Kristen immediately protested, "Didn't you say you'd save them? Don't tell me you lied to me!"
"No, no, no," Barry replied, shaking his head. "You're not strong enough—honestly, you're kind of a newbie. In such a short time, there's no way I could've boosted you enough to fight Freddy head-on."
"When you signed that contract, you asked me to save them for you. And that's what I'm doing. I've got my own rhythm—save the key ones first, then the rest. Focus on what matters, deal with the side quests later."
"In short, as long as you all stay strong—keep that tiny breath of willpower alive even if you're cut in half—help will come. I promise, you'll make it out. Good kids who listen tend to survive."
His words landed like a slap to everyone else in the room.
The other patients glared at him.
What's that supposed to mean? That we're all useless dead weight waiting for you to play the hero?
"Hey, man," said Kincaid, the burly Black guy, flexing an arm. "That's talkin' big. You haven't seen what I can do in dreams."
Barry looked unimpressed. "Still needs work. You're low on protein powder."
"I might be in a wheelchair in real life," said Will, the kid with glasses, pulling out a deck of cards, "but in dreams I run, I fly, and I cast killer spells."
"Yeah? Think Freddy's gonna fall for that?" Barry shot back.
The black-haired girl leaned forward, giving Barry a flirty smile. "Handsome, I can sign too. Maybe we can… talk terms?"
Barry didn't miss a beat. "Sorry, limited slots. But if I ever need a bathroom cleaner at my place, I'll let you know."
BANG!
The viewing room door burst open.
A curly-haired woman stormed in—it was Nancy, the therapist who'd been kicked out earlier.
"Kids, I'm back! I'm not giving up on you! We can still—"
Her words caught in her throat. She froze, staring at the one man who shouldn't be there—Barry.
Then she looked at Kristen, whose face was set with determination. In that moment, Nancy understood.
She's made her choice. I just hope it leads to a better ending for her, Nancy thought quietly.
"Welcome, newcomer Nancy," Barry said cheerfully. "You're the last to join, just in time for the final dungeon run."
---
They headed to the group therapy room, locked the door, and turned the key.
As the pendulum swung, the hypnosis began.
Dream link—activated.
When they opened their eyes again, they were still in the therapy room.
"A dream… a shared one," Barry murmured, standing still, focusing. "It's stable—and something's already corrupting it, reshaping it."
From the very moment they entered the dream, the battle had begun.
Creak—
The door swung open on its own.
Beyond it was only darkness, endless and deep, like a bottomless pit.
"Are we in?" Nancy asked. "Where's Joey?"
Everyone turned toward Kristen, who looked to Barry for answers.
"Find Freddy," Barry said, "beat the crap out of him, and we'll learn where he's keeping the missing souls or minds."
Beat Freddy? Easier said than done.
Most of the group didn't fully trust Barry—they thought he was just full of himself.
"Let's move," he ordered. "The longer we wait, the stronger Freddy gets."
He stepped out first into the darkness.
Outside wasn't the hospital. It wasn't Nancy's house either. It was a winding mountain path.
Rails ran along the slope, and at the very top sat a small, old-fashioned train—like something from a children's storybook.
"What the hell?!" Kincaid blurted. "Where are we?"
"Strange," Will said, stumbling. "Why can't I stand?" He fell face-first to the ground, his legs useless again.
The black-haired girl gasped—her hair and clothes had reverted to her real-world look. "Wait… isn't this supposed to be a dream?"
It was. But their dream powers—those "inner strengths"—were gone, like someone had hit a reset button.
"Look!" Kristen suddenly pointed ahead. "Is that Joey?"
Far down the tracks, tied across the rails, was a familiar figure.
"Oh my God—it is Joey!"
"We have to save him!"
They were halfway up the mountain; a few steps to the side brought them onto the track. All around was a sheer drop into a bottomless ravine.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
A bright chime echoed. A little tricycle rolled toward them—riding it was a blond girl in a frilly princess dress.
"There's someone else here?"
"Kristen, did you pull in another person?"
"Shut up—she's thinking," someone muttered.
Kristen recognized the child instantly. She'd seen her before, outside that horrible wooden house. No mistake about it.
The little girl trembled as she held out a letter.
"S-sister, Freddy told me to give this to you. I swear it's not my fault…"
Kristen took the note and ripped it open.
Only one line was written inside:
> If you want to save your friend, better start running—
> or sweet Joey's about to become Joey Jam!
"That bastard!" Kristen shouted.
Nancy's stomach dropped. The tracks. The train. The tied-up boy. A horrible thought struck her.
He wouldn't…
WHOOOOO!
A shrill whistle screamed through the air. The little train began to move.
It was a single-track line—no way to stop or go around.
"Joey's done for!" Will cried. "If only my magic still worked!"
"No—there's still a chance," Barry said calmly. "Get ready to work."
His eyes turned toward the little girl on the tricycle.
"Hey, sweetheart," he said with a sly grin. "Wanna see what it's like to play 'Catch the Crawfish' with Uncle Barry?"
The girl shook her head, terrified.
Barry shot Kincaid a glance. Kincaid nodded, picked the girl up, and set her safely aside.
"Thanks. I'll take that," Barry said, eyeing the tricycle.
Then he turned to Will. "Alright, great wizard—time to get on your feet."
"Uh… I can't stand."
"Not a problem." The black-haired girl and Kincaid each grabbed an arm and helpfully dragged him forward.
A few seconds later, Will was officially out of a wheelchair—and Barry had his vehicle.
There was no time to explain.
Freddy might've rewritten the dream's data, but Barry could still manipulate its core power.
And right now, he was about to use it.