A/N: I own none of the characters, they all belong to L.J Smith. I only own one Shadow Man that I created.

This scene was solely created by:

Artist: Sara Bareilles

Song: Breathe Again

Chapter Three: The Beach

  A blazing blood-red sun descended, reflecting off crystal waters. The ocean. The waves effaced each footprint imprinted into the sand as Jenny stepped into its inviting depths where a lone figure stood. The sharp contours of back muscle flexed as if they'd sensed her presence, head crooked to one side.

  "Julian..."

  "I remember when I first started watching you. You were six, out on your father's pontoon with him trying to fish."

  Jenny couldn't help but grimace as she recalled the faint memory of coarse scales that had grazed her fingertips. She could practically taste brackish lake scum, still.

  "You were vacationing up in Lake Tahoe. Your parents had bought the cabin. The sunset you'd watch on a lone dock that stretched out into the waters. I distinctly recall you not dwelling there long, afraid of the water darkening like shadows."

  He turned in that moment just as the water leveled to her waist.

  Akin to the waters his eyes were crystallized with an undercurrent of intensity. It was like a hurricane underlying the calm. His wild hair a shock of white against the setting sun, set off a spark in those eyes. Mirroring the passionate colors of the sky as he soaked in her presence.

  Like a man starved.

  Redemption had cost him and in turn, had saved her and the trio. Jennys feelings had also shifted during the last game he'd played in Joyland Park, taking on a depth that left confusion after a glimpse was shone of the vulnerable man beneath. In the aftermath of his death, their first reunion had taken place on the same beach. Jenny had consoled him and they'd finally talked.

  It had been several months since their last reunion. Seeing him here, it struck a chord deep within her.

  "It has been... awhile." Julian stepped forward as if he'd read her thoughts, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes," Jenny nodded, swallowing back her emotions, "it really has."

Julian had last visited when she'd passed out in a hospital chair beside Summer. Before the dreams had ceased altogether—some, the cause of her mental issues—there had been an abundance of exotic places traversed. From the deep reefs off the Australian coasts to the glittering mountaintops off the Alaskan terrains.
There, many conversations had occurred.

"The last time I created this dream it was our first." Before he could close the gap between them, he stopped.

"Yes..." Jenny watched him as a tender smile formed. "Your first dream with light."

"Light." He laughed then, the sound bitter. "This is it." He dipped one slender hand into the sparkling waters before watching it lazily slide down his palm. It refracted off the sun like fallen diamonds. "Now here we are," he murmured after a moment, "together in a world I created from yours."

"Yes, my world..." Jenny replied, her voice thick with emotion.

"So how is little Goldilocks faring?" Although casual with his words, Jenny's lips twitched at the nickname he'd bestowed awhile back.

"Oh." Her laugh was absent of mirth. "I'm just great... Don't even want to talk about it."

"That bad?"

Jenny looked up to Julian who unabashedly closed the distance. A year ago Jenny believed the world was safer without Julian roaming the vast planet.

   Until the dreams.

Unmasking the prince of darkness who once haunted her steps proved to be another matter entirely. "I'm fine, Julian," Jenny began, holding up her hands, "please, you don't have to—"

  "Jenny," Julian gently interjected. "Look at me."

  Warm resilient fingers slid beneath her chin. It reminded her of when she'd undergone hypnosis. Traumatic events from the earthquake had left her an insomniac. Jenny's parents went to painstaking lengths to get her seen asap. Vowing to assist her through them, Julian appeared out of the thick of it.

  The memory of the woman Jenny had lost after attempting to rescue her from her home had formed; the most gripping memory she kept buried of that day...

    She came across a small toddler in the sequestered neighborhood on her drive back from her—then—canceled appointment. A girl, no more than five years old was crying hysterically. Covered in drywall that tarnished her dress with ribbons undone from her sandy hair.

   A fire hydrant off the corner of the street burst, flooding the streets and saturating the lawns. Sirens continued to blare in the background, the smoky skies congested in ash.

   "Please help, my nana!" she screamed, her sky-blue eyes puffy and bloodshot. Lip trembling, she pointed a shaky finger to a nearly caved-in home.

   The white-washed house was being a supported yet by two beams; the roof had not completely caved in. A shrill scream that pierced the air from the inside sent a spearing chill straight through Jennys heart. She'd barely thrown her car into park before she bolted across the yard strewn with debris.

   Using the hood of their truck she leapt onto the roof. Shattered glass from the blown window, splintered under her trainers,  "Hold on!"

Around the jagged shards left in the frame, a bloodied hand appeared. Desperate to seek another's. "Please help me," they whimpered, elder and frail. The fear of the unknown was tangible.

    It cleaved Jenny's heart in two as she staggered over an uprooted nail. "Just hold on, I'm going to get you out."

   Jenny knew they were on borrowed time before the house gave. She reached for the sun-spotted hand speckled with blood. It felt clammy and shook within her own. "Please don't leave me," the old woman begged, "I-I can't hold on much longer."

   Tears pricked her eyes as Jenny held on, hoping her strength wouldn't fail her. First, she'd need to calm the woman lest she suffer a stress induced heart attack. Distraction needed to be implemented. "My names, Jenny Thornton, I'm not going to leave you, okay...?"

    "Rosie."

   "Rosie. I'm sure it matches the face of that beautiful granddaughter of yours too."

"Is my Odettie okay? I tried, I tried so hard—"

"She's okay I promise you. Now, Rosie, I need you to use your upper strength if able. Just so I can pull you up. Can you do that?"

   "Yes, yes I will try. One of my legs are numb."

  "We will fix it. Odette needs her nanna; you can do this, Rosie."

   Jenny felt the old woman tighten her grip, knuckles bone-white as she gave everything she had.

     Just as the roof started to give.

   As fates cruelty would have it, firefighters arrived on the scene seconds after.

   "Jenny?! Jennnnnnnyyy!"

  They hauled a screaming Jenny off as the house shuddered a final time— collapsing into a plume of smoke as the cries of the woman abruptly ceased. Odette's blood-curdling scream split the air as Jenny collapsed into a quivering ball and sobbed...

  After, Julian has taken her to the park where a memorial had been erected, commemorating the lives lost such as Rosies. Rosie Peters, she'd learned. Their graduation has been set to take place there.

   Jenny found herself suddenly dressed in her graduate cap and gown, Julian earnestly searching her watery eyes as he'd said, "Life doesn't end here. The strength within you is superior to the loss that ails you now. But, it won't forever. You're not weak, Jenny. That fire within your spirit will prevail again as it always has. Unless you allow it to burn out, and rid the world of what you have to offer... and me..."

  In a very uncharacteristic manner, he'd comforted her in her pain for as long as she'd needed, after. He'd take her to the little girl eventually. Through a translucent window— a glimpse, she'd learn—Jenny would see a young man and woman holding the young girl in their arms. Tears of relief shone as offered prayers of thanks were whispered of Odette's survival.

   A mother and father with their daughter.

   That day, something of significance evolved between Jenny and Julian. Jenny had never forgotten it after. Even as she stared into those cobalt eyes that had iced over. Did she still kindle a fear of him? Yes, a remnant of their past. Once, he'd made her life a living hell. Literally. Kidnapping her boyfriend and cousin as penance after she'd won his second game: Lambs and Monsters. After his third game in her childhood amusement park called: Joyland, Jenny and the gang would face off with the real Shadow Men Julian paled in comparison. Pierced by the Frosted Blade that killed Shadow Men, to save her a life enslaved to his ancestors.

    After shutting the door between realms, Jenny and her friends had dragged Julian back to their world. And there, he'd gone in peace. That early morning Jenny had stepped out of her grandfather's house, so sure of her life. Relieved Julian had gone into the light with the people she loved, safe.

   Until that second shift in her life tragically struck.

  After tonight's events, Jenny was brought to a revelation. She was finding change to be a scary transition in life. For the moment she was escaping real life. In reality, she was stepping into adulthood. If she wholly accepted the engagement, it would lead to marriage. A honeymoon. Sex; something she hadn't yet experienced. A lifetime commitment. Trials. Kids. Growing old together.

  Until death do you part...

   This wasn't some high school puppy-love spat between her and Tom. There would be consequences to this.

   Truthfully, Julian, I'm scared.

   But Jenny did not voice this aloud. Instead her head dropped against Julian's chest with a frustrated sigh.

   "I missed this." His hands softly combed through her hair, his breath rolling off the nape of her neck. Less demand in his touch and more solace.

   Jenny slid her hands up his arms in an embrace—when she froze. Tiny faucets shimmered from her ring finger. Julian's actions immediately stilled, the breath in his chest released. "I already know," he stated, his voice suddenly ominous. "Although "Yours Forever" seems rather constricting for someone who loathed such an oath, before."

   "Julian—"

    Julian cut her off with a hand and stepped out of her embrace. It left her cold as a chill grew in the air. "He'll never measure up to me, but he does care for you. Your future that I'll never have." He laughed then in a hardened voice, grasping a strand of gold that had slipped from one tucked ear. "Every morning greeted by your face alone, to watch the morning light dance upon such sun-kissed skin, and lose oneself in those deep forested eyes. "She's beautiful and therefore to be wooed. She is a woman, therefore, to be won". 1st Henry VI quote of a women's beauty in sleep."

   Jenny swallowed once Julian reached out and glided a finger across her cheek following along the ridges of her lips. The sensation caused her lips to part as he said, "The question is, Jenny, do you truly desire such commitment? Because I see the truth and it screams out for me."

   Jenny couldn't help but stare at him slightly flushed by his boldness. Still, this was a private matter and with a hint of regret, she took a half step back. "Whatever you see there, Julian, it doesn't change anything. I am not little Jenny Thornton anymore." She sighed, tucking the fallen strand behind her ear. "We shouldn't be discussing this." she added quietly. "These dreams with you I can't..."

   She shook her head unable to go on.

    Julian's eyes flashed. "Don't worry yourself, Jenny," he spat bitterly. "In time you'll even forget about me. The world is always evolving as your life will with Tom. Especially after the honey... " Julian's voice abruptly trailed off as his eyes sparked. He inhaled sharply with hands fisted at his sides as bone-white knuckle shone.

   Jenny tensed knowing what he was getting at, "Julian—"

   "Don't." Julian gritted out in a deadly voice as those eyes sliced into hers.

  It was a warning.

   Jenny watched as he closed his eyes seemingly waiting an eternity to speak. Barely above a whisper, he finally said, "Dreams can only last so long until they wither."

    The sympathy evident, Jenny murmured, "They won't wither with me."

    Julian turned away from her. For a moment the silence lingered heavily between them. His voice became distant, "I think... you should go."

   Jenny's face softened. "Julian, wait."

   Julian whirled on her, his eyes ablaze. "This is all there will be between us now, Jenny!" He snarled. "I saved your life to keep you from horrors you could only dream of. And for what?!"

   Jenny's eyes narrowed. "Stop it, Julian. You did a good thing and saved all of us from the Shadow Men."

    Julian shook his head and let out a dark laugh before his teeth gnashed together. "That won't matter once you're dead."

   Jenny flinched, scraping a strand out of her face as a tug of wind pulled at her.

    Julian continued, "I was wrong, Jenny." He glared. "There will never be enough light here without you in it. And when you die, I will be left to dwell in eternal darkness. Because it will happen, Jenny. My world will fade. Like a planet malnourished of sunlight, left to shrivel and perish."

   Jenny jutted out her chin, "I don't believe that."

   Julian's eyes were piercing. "B—"

    That was as far as he got before a torrent of wind surged between them cutting off Julian's next words. Jenny couldn't help but gawk as panic began to crawl its way up her flesh. A tempest of Julian's temper.

   "Have you learned nothing after all?!" she cried.

    Julian looked at her almost affronted as his eyes slanted, "You think I caused this?"

    Jenny stared at him, not wanting to recognize the knot pulling on the lining of her stomach. "Didn't you?"

   Jenny never heard Julian's response.

    The waves suddenly rose like sharp talons and crashed over; the passionate atmosphere blinked out of existence. A void of abyssal darkness. Like a spectral apparition Jenny's breath became visible. "W-what's happening?"

  The wind began to howl like lamenting souls, whipping  hair into her eyes, nearly blinding her. The sheer force almost lifted her from the waters causing her to scream. "Julian?!"

    Julians attentions snapped back in her direction, their clothes seemingly about to be ripped from their bodies. As their eyes connected, Jenny swore she could feel an invisible hand physically pulling them apart as the distance expanded .

   "Jenny!" There was a wild look in Julian's eyes now that Jenny hadn't seen in a long time. Enough to confirm Julian had no idea what was happening.

   Their dreams never turned hostile.

   Julian image began to strangely distort expanding and contracting like a rubber band.

   Jenny saw both puzzlement and shock register on his face . Right before a feral animosity took hold as those eyes blazed, "JENNY!" he roared, "WAKE UP NOW!"

   Then like a snap of a finger, he was gone.

    For a moment Jenny stood there staring dumbstruck at where he'd vanished. Left with nothing but an eerie silence as abrupt as the winds that died around her.

WAKE UP, JENNY!

   As half of herself grew detached from rem sleep, her eyes were weighted like lead.

  OPEN!

    But it was as if she were yanked back into the dream as a cold, slimy-like tentacle constricted around her ankle. Jenny filled her lungs with air as she prepared to scream.

   Just as she was plunged into ice, cold water.

    Down, down, down. Jenny's back suddenly slammed into the ocean floor as she tried to twist her way out of its bruising hold. The atmosphere was so bitingly cold it seeped into bone marrow.

  Voices emerged.

       F...a...iiiiii...sssss...d..."

      Jenny's head instantly snapped up, alert, as the static raised.

    "F...a...iiiiii...sssss...d..."

      It was like an old radio being tuned as the static grew louder.

  "F... aaaa...iiii...sss...ddd... FAAAAMMMIIISSSHHHHEEEDDDD!"

   Instantly her blood went cold.

   The Shadow Men.

    A festering hunger in their voices sent the hairs on the back of her neck straight up.

   They're back.

   "Come to me, Jenny," A low, crooning voice called out in the distance as the chanting of the Shadow Men intensified. "I'll catch you before you fall."

Moonlight eyes glimmered through the pitch black. Jenny screamed as an unexpected hand touched her.

    "Jenny? Jenny? Jenny!"

    Jenny gasped, the eyes dancing in front of her vision before light filtered into the wake of her mind. As her vision gradually cleared, a homey scent pulled her back to waking consciousness.

   Bright blue eyes followed. Blonde tendrils hung around her delicate face scrunched in worry. "Jenny?"

   Summer.

  "Summer?" Jenny croaked.

   The early light of dawn cast a soft glow against walls of... her bedroom. She was in her bed. Safe. Jenny hoisted herself out of the damp sheets only to discover her cocktail dress soaked in sweat. "Water..." Jenny whispered, her throat throbbed as if it were raw from screaming.

   Had she screamed?

   "You, okay?" Summer asked after she came back with a cool, glass cup of water.

   Jenny downed it in less than a minute. She licked her lips as she stared at the sheets that had horridly wrinkled her dress, the dream too fresh. A voice that sounded like spiders crawling on gooseflesh, replayed in her mind.

   Jenny shuddered.

   "Oh, you cold?" Summer patted Jenny's lap before sliding off the bed to shut the window.

   Jenny didn't bother to object; she felt sick. The boozy smell off of Summer wasn't helping. Yet she seemed to sense Jenny's unease as she scurried away. The distinct clink of her friends' overalls echoed, less than a minute back with a Happy Bunny bucket. Ironically from the mint chocolate- chip ice cream they'd finished off that week.

    Summer had just tossed it to Jenny before last night's contents hit the floorboards. "I think I'll go call Tom," she suggested after Jenny retched again. "And congrats on the engaaaagement!"

   Her friend's voice echoed down the hallway.

   Jenny merely nodded, not in the mood to get into that  now. She didn't see her friend return. Soon as her stomach settled, she laid back down and reluctantly passed out.

   That's right rest, Jenny.

   "For now." He chuckled.

    He watched the human fall back onto her pillows. Laughter broke from between his lips, chilling enough to raise the hair on a mortal should their presence be felt. Like a wolf on his haunches, a chin rested in the palm of his hand. Ever attentive as to her every breath that receded.

   Her body relapsed into a deep sleep.

   He watched as the girl's delicate friend re-entered the room, coming alongside the sick girl's bedside to check on her.

  "Sleep well, Jenny."

    Her tiny voice echoed around the cavernous room he inhabited. When the door closed behind the tiny blonde, his eyes wandered back to the foretold sleeping beauty. Only a fool would be deceived into such thinking.

   Beauty was but fleeting after all.

   No matter, this girl was different. He knew the truth and her whole story. How this supposed heroine had outsmarted their kind. What was the saying again? Those must reap what they sow? It wouldn't be long now before she paid, dearly.

   Undo what was lost to them, would make her the key. As the scene continued to play itself, he licked his lips in interest. A slow, cruel smirk grew more pronounced as it stretched across his lips. So easy it would be to invade her dreams and play with her mind some more. But tonight, he'd simply watch in the quiet of the darkness, lying in wait.