"AAAH!!" Rain screamed his lungs out as his life flashed before his eyes.
Suddenly.
"Stop."
With one word, Nightmare froze.
"H-huh…" As he barely caught his breath, Rain fixed his eyes on the daggers frozen before his belly button.
"Oh my God…" He whispered with a shaking voice.
The whole place went silent. Only heavy breathing and deep soft growling roamed around.
"Please, Nightmare. Stop." Her voice softened.
Nightmare glanced at Rain as he was sweating and shaking,
"Put him down, Nightmare. Please."
"WHY?" His growling voice was filled with rage.
"He's done nothing to deserve this, Nightmare."
"HE PROTECTED THE ONE WHO HAS CAUSED YOU HARM!"
Dina looked at the teacher as he shook in horror.
"That's expected, Nightmare. Because to him, she's the harmed one, while I'm the cause of harm."
Nightmare couldn't go against Dina's commands, yet, it remained hesitant. Its protective nature rose high, and the desire to kill emerged as well. However, Dina's self-control helped save the situation.
In terror, Rain fixed his eyes on the claws as they slowly backed away from him, then gently, he was put down and released from his chains.
"Thank you, Nightmare." Dina wiped her tears and turned towards the teacher.
"Are you alright, teacher?"
From the shock, Rain remained silent.
"Ugh!" She sighed heavily then sat down on the floor. After a few seconds of thinking, she called.
"Nightmare."
"Yes, Dina."
"Can you please do that 'thing' again?"
"What 'thing'?"
"You know... that 'thing' from last time. My heart feels tight from all the darkness around us."
"Oh, of course." Nightmare stood tall and lit up its smoke.
Dina watched as the place went from gloomy and dead to joyful and alive, shining like fireworks, easing her heart, and bringing a smile back to her face.
"Is that pleasing enough for you, Dina?" It warmly asked.
"Thank you, Nightmare. This helps a lot." The young one crossed her legs together and enjoyed the view.
Meanwhile, Rain glanced with widely opened eyes. Fear had consumed him whole. However, a feeling of amazement was awakened as well.
"What on God's earth did I just witness?" In his mind, the man had plenty of questions, yet he couldn't ask anything. He remained quiet for the sake of his safety.
After a moment of relaxation, Dina stood up and dusted her clothes off.
"Alright. It's time to go."
"Shall I accompany you to your house?"
Dina looked Nightmare up and down, then chuckled.
"Is that a 'yes'?" The beast leaned down and got closer to Dina's face.
"I fear we'd reach home with your stomach full."
"I don't have a stomach." It confusingly wondered.
Dina chuckled more, then teasingly asked, "Didn't you say that when you're purpose is fulfilled, you disappear?"
"Yes... Uhm... About that..." Nightmare crawled backward, awkwardly looking away.
"Is there something else you haven't informed me about?"
"I... I disappeared before because I knew my presence would bring back your anxiety. So I had to leave after calming you down..."
"But now you sense that I'm at ease with your presence, so you decided to stay."
The beast remained silent.
"Thank you, Nightmare. I'll walk home alone. People won't be as pleasant as I am with your presence."
"Are you certain?"
"Yes, don't worry."
"Whatever pleases you, Dina. I'll be here if you're in need."
"You sure are, Nightmare. You sure are."
Nightmare vanished, taking away all the smoke and clearing the view.
After everything was back to normal, Dina, with her wet eyes, observed Rain for a moment, looked down, then fell on her knees.
"Miss Dina!" He screamed with worry as he ran to her.
"Teacher, don't!" She screamed.
Rain stopped then slowly took a step back.
"My body is… very sensitive for the moment…" She hardly spoke.
"Touching me will cause… serious pain, and… believe me… Nightmare won't be hesitant to cut you open this time. So please, just stay where you are." She quietly warned.
He froze in place, not knowing what to do, and all he could think of was obeying her orders.
As she breathed heavily, trying to bring back her stamina, Rain stood in complete awe, with his fist held tight. After safety was restored to the place, he had time to process everything. Every time a scenario from earlier appeared in his mind, his eyes glittered.
"I cannot believe what I have just witnessed..." His face surely didn't show anything but fear, but deep down in his heart, excitement was shining bright.
"It was all true…!" The young man was fighting the thoughts and questions that were eager to come out, but only one thing escaped his will.
"I have finally found you!"