Mr. Puck

                                    

                                          
The pit of her stomach woke her up, and energy flowed through her. She glanced at the clock. NIGHT! Her weary brain didn't care what exact time it was.

                          
Get up.
                          
She groaned as she slipped into her fuzzy slippers and clumsily shuffled out of the room. "Why, why am I here again?" Sissi grumbled, nearing Aelita's room.
                          
"WAAaAAAAHHHHH! NOOO!"
                          
That's why, answered her gut. The high-pitch scream shook Sissi clear awake. She flung open Aelita's door.
                          
"Aelita? What's wrong?"
                          
"Uh... I uh-uh-uh, nothing's wrong. I was... just having another nightmare," Aelita whispered. Sissi sighed, plopping onto the side of her bed. Aelita clutched her knees to her chest under the thin sheets and trembled harshly.
                          
"Same one?"
                          
"Yes, they just won't stop. I know they're just dreams, but I-" Sissi drew Aelita's head into her chest. The pink-haired girl quivered horribly, clutching her sheets harder as she cried. Sissi softly stroked her hair, saying,
                          
"It's okay, Aelita. It's okay."
                          
"The dreams are getting worse and worse, but we don't know why. This morning she trapped a girl inside of the showers because she thought it was a wolf. This has to stop somehow," Sissi told the rest when morning finally came.
                          
"It all started when we went to the Hermitage. I think we should go back, this time with Aelita," Jeremie said. With arms crossed and jaw tight, Sissi glared coldly at him.
                          
"And you think putting her through a living nightmare is going to cure her sleeping ones?"
                          
"We'll be there to protect her."
                          
"Sure, as if flying books, forks, and shelves weren't enough to worry about."
                          
"Sissi, I don't think we have much of a choice. It's worth a shot," Yumi said. Sissi grumbled as they walked to the house.
                          
"By the way, why were you outside of your room that late? Doing some late-night construction?" Odd whispered to her.
                          
"No, I woke up because I just... had a feeling," Sissi shivered. Odd's hand rubbed her shoulder. His quiet look made Sissi smile. "I'm okay. I just... I don't like the sight of Aelita crying."
                          
"None of us do, but why you?"
                          
"I... I don't know... protective, I guess?" They walked a little in silence. The Dragon Queen's hand fidget on her cane, waiting for Odd to say... anything.
                          
"You know... you don't have to make up for the past, right?" Sissi stopped in her tracks and looked back. "You're doing this because you feel bad for what you did to Aelita back then. It's okay. Nothing you can do can ever make up for it because one, it hasn't happened yet, and two, we've moved past it. Stop beating yourself up, Sissi." She blinked several times before finally nodding. They caught up with the rest as Sissi whispered,
                          
"Thanks."
                          
They finally got to the Hermitage. The dusty wood's groan still sent shivers up Aelita's spine. The wind whistled in the silence.
                          
"Wha-what's happening to me? I'm shaking."
                          
"You're scared. It's natural," Odd said. Jeremie stood right next to Aetlia, taking her hand in his as they went in. "Down boy," Odd spoke to a lifeless book.
                          
"Okay, nothing's flying out at us," Sissi muttered. Aelita hesitantly walked forward. "Aelita, are you okay?"
                          
"Yeah, I-I-I I think so."