"Morning, dear." The young man smiled back at his guardian, who was facing away from him.

  "Morning."

  Oh no.

  "How're you feeling?" she asked, still not looking back.

  "I'm...OK, I guess." He sat down at the table, stretching his arms above his head. "I just..."

  "Go on."

  "Eh, it's nothing, don't worry." He smiled reassuringly, though the older woman still didn't look at him.

  No, no, I don't like this.

  "Are you sure?"

  "Yeah, Nana, it's fine." the boy laughed lightly, getting up to dry off the newly-washed dishes.

  Exit, exit...

  "You're definitely sure there's nothing too troublesome on your mind?"

  "Hm, not that I can think of, no." Noticing how she slowed down in what she was doing slightly, Quinn sighed. "It's not something to worry yourself about, Nana."

  B, c'mon, this isn't funny.

  "You're really sure, dear?"

  "Yeah, I..." His voice trailed off as his eyes darted around the kitchen, focusing on each object closely before turning his attention back to her. "I-If I had anything that was bothering me, Nana, I'd tell you straight away-"

  "Why are you lying to me?"

  B, exit.

  "Huh?" Quinn tilted his head in confusion, laughing nervously. "Nana, I don't-" She turned around.

  "Whý ͘ar̨e ̕y҉o͏u ̧lying ͠to̴ me̡?!" The dishes slipped out of his hand and the sound of the shattering glass echoed across the room.

  Nana stared back at him in rage, her face changed completely and all cheerfulness ceased from the area. The aura around her appeared grey and threatening and worsened with each step she took towards him.

  But Quinn couldn't will himself to move.

  No, no, this one isn't good for us! B, come on, exit!

  "N-Nana?" He forced himself to back away slightly, keeping eye contact with whatever had now become of his guardian. His breathing hitched.

  B! This isn't funny! We need to go, now! Exit this right n-

  Nana suddenly took hold of Quinn, holding him so tightly that he could barely breath, could barely beg for his life.

  B, this is getting dangerous.

  The tightness on his throat increased and his heart beat elevated at an alarming rate.

  B, stop, please! We're getting hurt, please just stop!

  The whole room shattered and a sharp pain hit him.

  Quinn shot up in bed, gasping and clutching his chest. He felt large beads of sweat pouring down his neck.

  Haha! You keep falling for it every time!

  I hate that nightmare- no, we hate that nightmare- more than anything.

  What? C'mon, that's one of my favourite pieces! Gets you guys every time I do it- it's genius.

  It's dangerous is what it is. You could have ended him.

  Don't over-exaggerate. I'd never risk that. Besides, B grinned. We've got to overcome that ni- dream, and the only way to do that is by seeing it so many times that we get used to it.

  B, you've been doing this for years and it hasn't worked.

  Well, you're the one who always interrupts right at the beginning and ruins the show for the rest of us! Anyway, there are so many signs that confirm that it's a nightmare. Like the fact that he can see and the kitchen background I used was from his earlier memories of coming to the house. Plus- B huffed, rolling their eyes at A before giving out a sigh. She approaches.

  "Hey, Quinn?" He glanced in the direction of the voice and groaned, still clutching onto the bundle of his shirt closest to his chest.

  "What?"

  "Are you alright?" Quinn lied back down and buried himself under the duvet.

  "Fine, now go away." Hearing her footsteps coming even closer, his frown deepened.

  Hey, what if this is another one?

  What? No, you wouldn't have told us if-

  I would if it isn't as bad as the other. I mean, Nana's been with us almost our whole lives. But now Angie...

  "Are you sure?" The duvet was pushed aside and he growled under his breath as he felt a hand brush the hair out of his face and rest on his forehead. "You're quite warm. You're sure you don't have a fever or anything?" He pushed her hand away in annoyance.

  "Look, could you just go away?"

  See, he's overcoming and shouting back at the dream.

  It's not a dream. This is too real, it can't...

  "Quinn? Hey, are you crying?"

  Don't submit to this dream. Stop crying.

  It's not a dream!

  The boy let out a whine before he finally was forced to sit up and let the tears come streaming down his face, soon followed by sobs which racked his body. His head ached, his body ached, every part of him ached and he was just sick of it.

  "Oh, Quinn..." He felt her arms wrap around him and for once he moved into them, resting his head on her shoulder and crying harder than he ever had before. The room was filled with pleasant silence as he finally released the weight he had been holding for so long, finally was able to relax and let go.

  "I-I..."

  "Ssh, it's OK, it's fine. You're OK." They sat there for a few minutes more until Quinn's heart slowed down to a safe pace and the shaking decreased. Angie reduced her voice to a whisper nonetheless. "Nana said this might happen sometimes."

  "Mhm."

  "Are you...are you gonna be OK or..."

  Let her stay. C'mon, you need her right now. Please.

  "Quinn? Or should-" He reached out his hand, eventually clutching onto her dressing robe.

  "I need you to stay."

  "Sure?"

  "Yeah, please."

  "Oh, yeah, course." He felt her move into the bed and moved along to give her space. Letting out a sigh, he felt through the darkness and eventually wrapped his arms around her, relaxing at last.

  "Tell me if there's anything else you need, OK?"

  "Mm..." His voice trailed off as tiredness took over.

  "Night, Q." A smiled.

  "Goodnight."