Beasts of Old

cooking, and she dared to let her thoughts wander. She thought about her home. Her family. Her friends. Hela. Elise. Pain. Crying. Creatures. She stopped working and leaned against the counter, her breathing speeding up as voices filled her head. Threats and nonsense. She shut her eyes tight and sunk to the ground, starting to cry. She hugged her knees and buried her face between them. She begged for them to stop or someone to help her, but it was too soft for anyone to hear.*
 * Alicia was in the kitchen,

'''The Traveller:'''

( Soft footsteps echo across the hall- the tiny pitter patter of a child's feet. After what seems like an eternity, a floor length skirt gently swishes against Alicia's head. From above comes a young, but familiar voice. )

Miss...?

'''Alicia Ghast:'''

* The woman winced when the skirt touched her, covering her ears. She whimpered* stop... please...!

'''The Traveller:'''

( She places a tiny hand on hers. ) Miss, are you alright?

'''Alicia Ghast:'''

* she jumped, crying out and whimpering*

'''The Traveller:'''

( The girl kneels down before Alicia, her big brown eyes filled a warm concern. )

Miss, can you hear me?

'''Alicia Ghast:'''

(Nope.) * She cowered, whimpering* p-please...!

'''The Traveller:'''

( Several minutes pass, the girl studying her frightened counterpart. Slowly, she leans forward and wraps her arms around her. )

'''Alicia Ghast:'''

*She stiffened, then realized it wasn't a Creature. She opened her eyes for a second before wrapping her own arms around the girl, shutting them again and whimpering.*

'''The Traveller:'''

( Her grip tightens and she whispers into Alicia's ear. )

Listen to me.

Focus on the sound of my voice and only that.

The Creatures can't hurt you, you know why?

'''Alicia Ghast:'''

*She sniffled* Wh-why...?

'''The Traveller:'''

Because even nightmares get scared and so long as I'm around, they won't dare hurt my friends.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''

* she looked at her* r-really..?

'''The Traveller:'''

( she pulls back and stares Alicia directly in the eyes. )

Really.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''

*She nodded, sniffling*

'''The Traveller:'''

But you're scared too and that's okay. It's okay to be scared! You're safe and you can feel whatever you need to feel right now.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''

(Alicia doesn't fight the Creatures anymore...) * she nodded, hugging her tight*

'''The Traveller:'''

( the girl continues holding Alicia, rocking gently. )

It's okay. Everything is perfectly fine.

'''Alicia Ghast:'''

* she listened to her voice and counted the rocking as if it were a beat.* 1... 2... 3... 4... 1... 2.. 3... *she calmed down after a few minutes*

'''The Traveller:'''

( When she calms, the girl lets her go. )

Better?

'''Alicia Ghast:'''

* she nodded* thank you...

Obtained From
Nightmare Fuel 2: The Return