"I know, it's a dream"  I replied.  "I've had it before, but it's not usually you in the car with me.  If I don't get out of here fast, those things are going to catch me.  Do you have any batteries?"

"No, this isn't a dream.  It's an echo.  Like a memory of a dream, or a dream of a dream."  Kaden gently responded.  I stopped and stared at him.

"As a matter of fact, you've NEVER been in my dreams before."  I accused.

"Again, not a dream."  Kaden said with exasperation.  "This is a construct based on your nightmares to prevent you from accessing some information that is buried in your subconscious.  A security system for if you get too close.  A guard dog if you will."  I blanched.

"Guard dog?  That's what you called those THINGS.  You mean I have one of those THINGS IN MY HEAD?!"  I screeched.

"Several of them, I'd say."  Kaden announced wryly.  "How many times have you been to my brother's realm?"

"Several of them?!?"  I felt like fainting, but being unconscious already foiled me.

"Yes, but on the plus side, it gives us an advantage.  We may be able to use them to keep an eye on the supposed 'King'."  Kaden noted.

"But doesn't that also mean they can spy on us?  Wait, you said your brother."  I eye Kaden suspiciously.  He heaved another sigh.

"Can we finish this conversation outside of your head?  Despite appearances, I'm having a REALLY hard time keeping hold of you, and if you ever want out..."

"Uh, alright, what do you need me to do?"  I asked.

"Just. DON'T. MOVE."  Kaden exhaled.

I was instantly aware that I was out of the dreamscape.  My head was cradled in Kaden's lap, his hands flattened on the sides of my head.  He was sweating profusely, and then the pain struck again, and I gripped my forehead between Kaden's hands.

"Hold on, hold on."  Kaden grumbled.  "I've got it."  The pain dissipated.  Kaden was panting lightly when he let me go.  I sat up, slowly, afraid to set off the headache again.

"It's ok, I sort of used a block of my own."  Kaden waved his hand at me.

"You put MORE of those things in my head?!"  I yelled.  Kaden flinched.

"No, no.  Those of us with less.. nefarious.. purposes, don't have to rely on such things.  I just sort of tampered with the way you process those memories."  Kaden winced as I opened my mouth to protest.

"You won't even notice, I promise!  I knew I shouldn't have used the word 'tampered'." He griped.

"Well, I'm still not happy you messed with my brain."  I complained.

"Somebody else already had."  Kaden pointed out.  I huffed.  He struggled his way into a chair and pulled a mug of hot tea towards him, taking a long drink.

"Somebody messed with Rue's mind?"  Brie asked with concern, grabbing my head and hugging it to her chest.

"Get off me Brie!"  My voice came out muffled through her sleeves.  She refused to let go, hugging me tighter.

"I'm warning you!  I bite!"  I squawked.  Brie released me, throwing her hands in the air.  Kaden chuckled, then winced, placing a hand to his head.

"Why did you help me?"  I questioned him, my head tilted to the side.  "And what's this thing about your brother?"

"I keep telling you-we're on the same side."  Kaden's exasperation was evident.

"Brother?  I feel like I missed a bunch again."  Brie whined.  Kaden grimaced again, rubbing his temple.

"The creature at the cave who proclaimed himself the 'Nightmare King', is my brother.  He was banished from this world because his thirst for fear and death became insatiable.  He LIKES killing people, lives for it even.  He feeds off their fears until they die."  Kaden said softly.  "I've been keeping watch on him for a while, which is why I noticed this first.  Noticed him coming here, I mean.  He wasn't always like this.  We were once so close!"  His voice was full of anguish and he closed his eyes, dropping his head into his hands.

"I didn't know what he was up to.  Didn't realize he was trying to find the key to escaping his prison.  The key to returning to this realm, where he would be able to feast to his heart's content, killing without restraint.  Millions could die."  Kaden still had his face in his hands, but I didn't miss the silent tears that fell.

"This WORLD?"  Brie shrieked excitedly.  "There are other worlds?  How do you get there?  Is it like a different plane of existence?  Or a different dimension?  Or maybe.."  I smacked her arm lightly.

"Not now Brie."  I said motioning with my chin to Kaden.  I scooted towards him.

"Hey, I know I've kinda been hard headed about trust in you.  And I'm not gonna lie, I'm still suspicious and plan to keep a close eye on you.  But it seems like we could maybe help each other out here."  I spoke softly.  "Brie, why don't you bring those documents out, aren't we wasting time?"  Kaden looked up and smiled lightly.  Yup, I was still suspicious of him.  He could be a good actor.  He smiled more widely.

"Well, I really don't think the box is accessible right now, so that ought to slow everybody down, but at least let me change into something more comfortable."  Brie stuck her tongue out at me and sauntered out of the room.

"Since we're sharing now..."  Kaden said  "Those creatures, the guard dogs, are creatures of habit.  They prefer the dark, because that's what they're used to.  They usually move in the shadows if it's day.  It slows their progress a bit."

"My brother won't be able to stay here long either, and if he's in the other realm, his hold on the guard dogs wains, which means they sometimes just wander off or do whatever they want to because he's not in control."  He continued.

Brie came back with a box filled to the brim with folders and paperwork.  She had changed into a pair of jeans and a loose shirt, ditching her shoes entirely.

"Is this it?  This ought to be quick!"  I said happily.  Brie laughed.

"Oh honey, there's three more boxes in the back."  I groaned.