Chapter 20

They held their breaths as they entered the bathroom. The sound of the radio echoed from the small shelf beside the sink, the music barely audible as their heartbeats pounded thunderously in their ears. Mrs Gray had expected to see her daughter sitting upright in the bath. But her body wasn't to be seen. Her legs froze as she took about three steps into the room, this wasn't happening. She knew that her daughter was submerged in the water, it was the only possible explanation!

The cream tiled floor at the side of the bath was saturated with water that had spilled over the side of the tub. Tina's mother suddenly sprang forward, a grief stricken howl tearing from her throat as her tear brimmed eyes locked with her daughter's lifeless body beneath the water.

Tina's eyes were clamped shut, her right wrist was cut and bled heavily, staining the water red. Without waiting any longer her mother plunged her arms into the icy cold water and dragged her motionless body out of the bath onto the hard tiled floor. Her wretched sobs reverberated throughout the room as she tried to revive her, shaking her body as she lay her on her lap.

Slowly, Nancy took a step backwards her body numb with shock. This couldn't be happening, Tina wouldn't do this! She wouldn't kill herself!

"Nancy! Ring 911! Now!" Mrs Gray's strained voice screamed, making the young girl jump out of her skin.

Nodding urgently she spun on her heel, nearly stumbling down the stairs as she ran into the living room towards the telephone in the corner. Tina's father hurried out of the kitchen, concern etched across his face as he asked. "What's the commotion? What's wrong Nancy?"

"It's T-Tina" she stuttered and began to dial 911, "We found her in the bathroom. I think she's dead" her eyes avoided Mr Gray's face. Not wanting to see his fear, his terror as he fled upstairs. She heard the operator on the other line and cleared her throat, "I need an ambulance straight away! My friend has cut her wrist..."

There was a few seconds silence as the operator asked a few questions, making Nancy silently wish she would hurry the fuck up and get the ambulance sent over as quickly as possible! "Please just send one over to 1520 Elm Street!"

After placing the phone back on its receiver she dashed back upstairs, her legs shaking violently beneath her as she entered the bathroom. Mr Gray was trying to pry his wife away from their daughter, but she kept clinging to her and pressed a white towel to Tina's wrist to try and stop the bleeding. However, her husband knew it was fruitless.

Their daughter was dead.

Nancy shuddered as she stared at the blood stained towel, her head going light-headed as the room began to spin, going faster and faster until her eyes rolled into the back of her head and she collapsed as her vision went black. The last thing she heard was the all too familiar demonic chuckle of the boogie man that plagued her nightmares...

Nancy's eyes snapped open, finding herself to be sprinting down a dark, incredibly hot corridor. Her bare feet slapped against the concrete floor. She frowned at this, bare feet? She should still have her socks and slippers on her. And why was she only wearing a silk night robe? Then she realised that her hair was far shorter that it should be, it was cropped to just below her ears.

Just like...Tina's!

Nancy tried to slow down, but it seemed her legs weren't listening to her mind! From behind she heard a loud screech and then she screamed. But it wasn't her scream, it belonged to her best friend, Tina.

Was she dreaming her best friend's dream? About to see what she saw, hear what she heard? Felt what she felt? Adrenaline, fear, despair? Was she about to relive her friend's final moments? Of course she knew that Tina was murdered, she knew her friend would have never killed herself. There was no signs that she was going to commit suicide and if she wanted to do it, why invite her over to stay overnight?

It was that horribly disfigured burnt man from their dreams that had done this atrocious deed. This was one thing she did NOT want to witness, yet alone experience Tina's death! It was as though this twisted, monstrous man was fucking with her mind!

"Gonna get you..." came a leering hiss from the darkness behind her.

Tina/Nancy yelped and picked up speed and turned into the main boiler room. However, she skidded and twisted her ankle as she slipped on what appeared to be a dark liquid smeared onto the ground. She shrieked and groaned in pain as she pushed herself to her feet. Her eyes went wide as saucers at the blood smeared on her hands. Looking down at the ground, the crimson liquid was stained across the floor of the boiler room.

Gingerly she tried to hobble forward, wincing as her sore right ankle connected with the ground each time, feeing the sticky residue of the liquid soaking into her bare feet.

Her sweaty quivering face looked to and fro, trying to discern if there was any way out of the main boiler room. But the only way out was the way she had just came and well, there was no use was there? He was chasing her! She was trapped, yet again like her other nightmares!

The only source of light in the room was the flames that flickered wildly in the furnace to her left. To her right was a long worm ridden work bench, while the entrance to a small side room or what could be made out as sleeping quarters was to her left in the corner.

There was heavy footsteps from the passageway she had just came from, causing her to spin around almost stumble onto the ground due to how unsteady she was on her twisted ankle.

Backing away as further as she could Tina/Nancy gulped with dread as Freddy peered around the corner of the wall, staring with his cold calculated eyes right at her. He sniggered immorally and his horrid black tongue slipped out of his mouth, licking his lips perversely. "Tina..."

The bright flames in the furnace slowly began to falter in intensity, the light in the room growing darker by each second as Freddy slowly stalked towards his prey. His lips curled into a sickening smile as he taunted, "Are you sad that your boyfriend is gone? Hmm?"

Tina/Nancy froze at this statement. How the fuck did he know? What was going on? Could he have something to do with Rod's death? Her stomach lurched uneasily at this thought. Nancy felt Tina's mouth part as she croaked out in dismay, "What? How did...?"

"I know Tina!" he cut her off sharply, a little maniac cackle coming from him. "You see, I was the last face he saw before he took his last breath! But don't worry little pigge...I'll be your boyfriend, but just for tonight!"

Reaching behind her, Tina/Nancy desperately tried to feel for any type of weapon or item that she could use to defend herself. But to her distraught there was nothing. What was making matters worse was that she could barely make him out as the flames continued to disperse until she was shrouded in darkness. Now, she had no idea where he was...

"I can see you..." Freddy mocked, giggling insanely.

Tina/Nancy held her breath as her heartbeat increased ten fold, waiting for what was to come. A piercing scream tore from her throat as she felt hoarse hot breathing on the back of her neck and quickly a scarred hand grabbed a fistful of her hair, throwing her across the room like a rag doll. Her body collided with the scalding hot furnace, making her screech in agony as the searing metal scorched her back. Sliding to the floor she pitifully tried to crawl forward, not knowing where she was going or how far he was from her. She just wanted to try and get away, however pathetic her attempt would turn out to be!

There was footsteps from in front of her in the darkness and she felt his body kicking viciously into her ribcage and flipping her onto her back.

She stiffened with trepidation as he climbed upon her, straddling her quivering hips and she heard him cluck his tongue playfully. Lazily and slowly he parted her silk nightgown, seeing every part of her body despite it being pitch black. Another wonderful aspect of his powers, being able to see everything in darkness, every line of her body, every heave of her chest as she panted with fear. The fear he was creating. It was fucking divine!

Tina/Nancy shrieked as he ripped the nightgown off of her trembling young body, hearing him snarl with perverted venom at her naked form beneath him. Her body sprang to life as she tried to slap and hit him with her hands, trying to connect to his face or any part of his body. To his amusement she missed each time. He then cocked his head to the side and soon her actions stilled as a powerful invisible force pinned her arms to the floor.

Then suddenly she felt his steel blades systematically tore and slice into her skin, carving her flesh apart expertly. She hissed and writhed in pain, as he continued his diabolical assault on her body. However, it wasn't just focused on one part of her body. It was all over. Her arms, legs, chest, collarbone, breasts, stomach, thighs and even dared to inch towards her lower genitalia. Scraping along her skin threateningly. Tina/Nancy froze not daring to move a millimetre. He chuckled at how tense she was and then withdrew his blade and then to her disgust began to grope at her body, squeezing her breasts roughly, grabbing her thighs savagely and lowered his revolting lips to her various lacerations on her chest. Then began to lick and kiss at her bloodied wounds, muttering profanities to himself as he did so.

She heard the odd few words 'whore', 'bitch', 'cunt' every now and then. A small whimper came from her as he continued his molestation of her body, pinching and twisting her bloodied nipples and biting and gnawing at her breasts with hunger. "You like that don't ya..." he hissed against her flesh, "you little slut!"

Tina/Nancy shook her head weakly and whispered, "No..."

He growled in discord, "Liar" his cruel eyes studied her body in the darkness. Seeing every bruise, bit mark, cut, laceration. Every line of blood that continued to trail over her body, over every curve. It looked exquisite. The way he preferred all the little girls to look. Covered in their own blood, bruised and broken. Knowing that he had made them that way.

He smiled darkly, then forced his lips on hers. Forcing her lips apart with his own as his charred black tongue dove into her mouth, ravaging and raping her mouth. She gagged at the sensation of his tongue invading her mouth, her stomach recoiling at how foul it tasted. He was relentless and didn't ease up, not giving her the chance to breathe.

Next, she heard the inaudible sound of a zip being pulled down and felt something prodding at her entrance. Her head was so disorientated and her body so weak due to the loss of blood that she could only groan in discomfort, as he violently entered her with one quick thrust.

He smirked devilishly at her, noticing that she had not broken inside. She wasn't a virgin as he had thought. Naughty little girl. Laughing treacherously she started to thrust into her.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

In.

Out...

Each time going faster and harder than before, pushing in as far as he could go. Putting as much pressure and pain upon her already anguished body as possible. She cried out, her voice strained as he continued to take her body, making her his for his own twisted pleasure. After several more frantic minutes of pummelling into her weak body he felt himself tighten and spasm, moaning lustfully as he came. Not caring if she got any pleasure, why would he? He didn't give a fuck about her or anyone for that matter.

There was only one person he cared about.

He put that person to the back of his mind and withdrew himself from her, before for the last time attacking Tina's/Nancy's body once more. This time with more vigour, more intensity. Slashing, cutting, carving...until he drove his bladed claw deep into her stomach with a vindictive snarl.

In a flash the fire from the furnace started up again and Nancy found herself disconnected from Tina's body or well from reliving her friend's last ever dream. She stood in front of the raging fire that shone brightly from inside the furnace. To the right of the furnace was a body, suspended to a metal beam a metre above the boiler. It was Tina. Her arms were stretched upwards and outwards, her legs were tied together with barb-wire. Like it was a sickening symbol of a cross. Her head hung low, her body perfectly still.

Void of life.

Her nightgown hung on her limp body, while trickles of blood flowed down her bare legs and arms, dripping onto the floor. Staining it red.

Shivering intensely with terror Nancy took a few small cautious steps forward, sniffling back the tears that swelled in her eyes and slowly pried open the nightgown. Her shaking hands flew to her mouth, stifling her scream at the decimation that was before her. Her friend's body was littered and marred with deep red scars and lacerations. There were nasty bite marks on her chest and neck. It was ghastly to see her best friend like this. Ruined and ravaged by that fucker!

Nancy began to frown as her eyes tried to make out a message carved into Tina's stomach. It was hard to decipher but after titling her head to the side she finally knew what it said. A disturbing statement, yet so horribly true.

Nine, ten never sleep again...

Signifying to Nancy that Tina would never sleep again. That she was gone, forever.

Nancy cried out as Tina's motionless face began to lift upwards, her bloodied lips curling into a impish smile as Freddy's malicious voice came from her throat, "Don't worry Nancy I'll be your new best friend now!" he cackled madly.

She let out a scream and just before she woke up she could have swore she heard his voice whisper, 'Say hello to Katherine for me...'

Marge and Donald were alert as their daughter sprang up in her hospital bed, her breathing erratic as she came to from her nightmare. Her weary blue eyes scoured the room, wondering where she was.

"It's okay sweetheart" her mother cooed softly, "You're in the hospital. You fainted in Tina's..."

"Tina!" Nancy tried to push her blanket off of her, "I've got to get to her!"

Marge pulled her chair closer to the bed and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, pushing her back onto the bed. "Nancy honey, Tina's dead. Don't you remember? You and her mother found her in the bathroom. She had killed herself, cut her wrists..."

Nancy gritted her teeth and strongly shook her head in discord, "No, she was..."

"Sssh, look the doctor is going to come and check you. See if you're okay to go home now" she looked at her watch, the time reading 5am. "I've been here since mid-night. I was told to go home, but they weren't going to move me. Your father has just came here from the morgue"

Feeling light-headed Nancy leaned back against her pillow, sighing sadly. "I just want to go home mom" her mind began to wander back to her dream. She could still feel every cut, every incision on her body, how the blood seeped from her flesh. But she had to remind herself, it wasn't her body. It was Tina's body he had mutilated, molested and to her disgust and horror had raped. Then without mercy had killed her.

Despite seeing only her wrists had been slit in the bathroom, Nancy knew that there were others wounds. Not visible on the outside, but inside her body. There had to be evidence of internal bleeding on her autopsy report. She would have to try and somehow sneak into her father's office at the police station to find out. There was also the startling revelation that this man was involved in Rod's death. What did he say? That he was the last face that Rod had seen before he took his last breath. The question still remained why was he after them? How could he have the ability to kill them in their dreams? Was he ever alive or had he always existed in dreams? She had to find out if Katherine had been having dreams, why else would he have said that before she woke up?

It was past 8am when Nancy had finally arrived home. The doctor had prescribed her some light sedatives to help her sleep and had provided her with a phone number to a local counsellor if she wished to talk about the last few days events. Hopefully, they would help her get through these harrowing times. But she declined this and so she as prescribed some anti-depressants to ease any anxiety or feelings of wanting to harm herself.

She nursed her mug of coffee as she sat in her kitchen. Her mother was in the living room, talking to Mrs Lantz on the phone. No doubt about Tina's death. When they had arrived home, her mother had pestered her to go to sleep. But Nancy was having none of it, she wanted to stay awake as long as possible. She was going to try and visit Tina's parents, to portray her deepest sympathies, but her mother was adamant that she was to stay in the house for the day. To get some rest. Anyway, Tina's parents would be busy visiting the police for questions and to find out about their daughter's autopsy report and to get a start on the funeral arrangements.

It was fucking unreal how she would be going to two funerals in the space of a few days, both of them were her friends. People she knew since she was a young girl, who she thought she would know for the rest of her life. But they were murdered, ruthlessly and without any remorse by that fiend. She had to figure out more about him, there had to be some way of stopping him. She had to get her other friends together, talk to them and find out what they knew. How many of them were having dreams of him? What if they didn't believe her? What if their dreams had stopped and it was only her she was going after? One thing was for sure, she wasn't going to give up that easily. It was her nature to fight, to stand up for herself and she would. She would stand up and fight him every step of the way. In every dream, in every nightmare.

x x x

Katherine had heard of the devastating news about Tina's death when she woke up early that morning, about two hours ago. The time was now 11am and she had been sitting on the edge of her windowsill, smoking a sneaky cigarette to calm her nerves. Her bedroom window was pushed opened a few inches, allowing the dirty smoke to filter out of her room. Her dark brown eyes stared glumly over at Nancy's house, wondering how she was coping. Probably not that well to be honest. From the way she acted and got along with Tina she knew that they were best friends. It was so fucked up. In two days two young people – Rod and then Tina – had taken their own lives. Could they had hidden personal problems that became too much to bare? Maybe it was a tragic love suicide pact? With Rod committing suicide first and then Tina? Still, Tina hadn't shown any signs yesterday evening of being on edge or showed any hints that she would kill herself. Then again you never know what goes on inside people's minds. It was hard to predict what anyone would do.

She quickly stubbed out her cigarette on the wood outside her window, as she heard her mother make her way to her room and then pulled the window down slightly. Her mother knocked the door lightly and pushed it open, giving a grim smile as she entered. "You okay, Katherine?"

"Uh, yeah. I'm thinking of going over to see Nancy" she replied and hopped down off of the windowsill. "Do you think I should or will I wait another while?"

Her mother rubbed her eyes wearily and shrugged her shoulders, "I'm not so sure..." she was then cut off by a small knock at the front door.

Turning back to the window, Katherine peered outside and saw none other than Nancy waiting at the door. "Well, speak of the devil" she muttered quietly. "It's Nancy, I'll let her in"

Soon, Nancy was sat on Katherine's single bed in her room. She twisted and turned a small handkerchief in her hand as she broke down into tears. Katherine licked her lips nervously, not totally sure how to comfort her. She wasn't that good at things like this. Probably a trait she got off of her father. Gently she sat beside Nancy and awkwardly placed a hand on her shoulder, "I'm uh, really sorry about Tina..."

Taking a deep breath Nancy wiped away her tears, "It's okay. It's not your fault. I'm sorry for crying like this. It's just I haven't cried much. Been keeping it all in I guess"

"Don't worry" Katherine squeezed her shoulder comfortingly.

"Um, I've came over here to ask you something" Nancy started. This was going to sound fucking weird! But she had to ask. "This is going to sound...strange, but have you been sleeping well?"

Katherine cocked her head to the side and laughed, "Yeah, I've been sleeping fine. Um, why?"

"No dreams? You haven't had any bad dreams? Any nightmares?" she persisted.

"No. Nancy is everything okay?"

"Are you sure?" it appeared Nancy wasn't letting up, "I mean, you haven't been having any dreams of a man chasing you through a boiler room? With a bladed claw on his right hand?"

Katherine shook her head, feeling rather nauseated listening to Nancy.

Nancy continued on, "He's horribly burnt..." just when she was about to describe his clothing, she was interrupted by a sharp knock at the bedroom door.

Both girls looked up as the door flew open, showing both their mothers standing there. Marge sighed in immense relief, nearly sobbing as she gasped, "There you are, I was worried sick Nancy! I thought..."

"That I had gone away to kill myself?" she shot back grimly. "Mom, I'm not going to do anything stupid. Okay?"

Marge nodded sluggishly. "I know, but I'm just worried. Please come home with me. You can see Katherine later"

Katherine nodded once, silently ushering her to go. Nancy heaved a low sigh, knowing by the look on her mother's face and by her body language that she may have had an odd drink or two. "Okay. I'll phone you later" she glanced at Katherine as she stood.

The older girl nodded and gave a small wave as Nancy and her mother left the room, pondering why she was so persistent in wanting to know if she had been having dreams or not. Why was she concerned about her sleeping habits? Was Nancy having nightmares? Could Tina have had bad dreams too before she passed away? She vaguely remembered her friend Jenny and two other people at lunch time talking about their nightmares. Which were supposedly exactly the same. Was Nancy just finding out who was having dreams and who wasn't? But why was she so worried about it? It was only dreams, stupid nightmares. However, she did get rather tense when Nancy mentioned the boiler room. Were they dreaming of the same boiler room as in the power plant on the edge of town?

She laughed at herself. Fuck, she was being paranoid. There was no way they were both connected. It was all a strange coincidence.

Hopefully today would go in quick enough, as tonight she would be meeting up with him and seeing him always brought a smile to her face.

If only she knew what he was going to start to reveal to her, she probably wouldn't be that pleased to see him...

x x x

Nancy was never so glad to see Kristen and was thankful that her friend had offered to take her out for a few hours. It wasn't anywhere particularly exciting, just around to Kincaid's house where they would meet the rest of their friends. She had driven Nancy, Glenn, Joey and Jennifer around to their his house in her silver convertible. The journey was rather quiet and mundane, each of them were unsure of how to break the tense and nervous silence.

She did however feel a little guilty leaving her mother in the house by herself, but her mother had been starting to drink more and well she didn't think she could handle her drinking and knew that an argument would ensue if she tried to get her to stop. But thankfully when she was leaving her father was just arriving home. Hopefully, he would put her to bed and by the time she went back she would be asleep.

She looked up from her lap as Kristen pulled into Kincaid's driveway and parked in front of the garage. The door was wide opened, showing Kincaid, Will, Philip and Taryn waiting for them.

Climbing out of the car, the five teenagers drearily entered the garage. Well, it was more or less another living area that Kincaid had made for himself. There was a black leather sofa at the back wall. A small dart board was on the right wall, while pictures of footballers and baseball players were dotted here and there. Against the wall to the left was a small table, with a TV set and several sports magazines littered about. To the far left hand corner of the room there was a small doorway interlinking with the kitchen, which at this moment was locked. Kincaid wanted to make sure that there would be no interruptions from his parents and younger sister.

"So, why did you arrange to see us all Nancy?" he asked, crossing his arms sternly.

Nancy bit her bottom lip apprehensively and then began. Explaining briefly the nightmare she had been experiencing over the last few weeks, then describing in detail what she saw or well to be exact, experienced in her nightmare. Reliving Tina's last living moments, step by step.

She scrutinized each of their faces in turn as she told her story. Kristen looked sickened to her stomach, Taryn and Jennifer seemed shaken by this also. While the boys they held looks of disbelief, but she knew that some of them were torn to believe her or not. They must have had dreams, in some shape or form. She had to find out for sure.

"So..." Glenn started slowly, "you're saying that Tina was killed? This guy murdered her?"

"What did you say his name was?" Will asked quietly.

"Freddy. His name is Freddy" Nancy stated firmly, "I know it sounds nuts! But it's true, I saw her death. I dreamt everything that she saw, I felt every cut, every slice of his blades. I, uh I felt him molest her. He even raped her!" the last few words came out in an anguished cry.

"Wait, are you absolutely sure?" Taryn gulped.

"Yes. I'm one hundred percent sure. I just don't understand why this is happening. The fucker even knew about Rod's death. He must have killed him too!" she looked at them, her eyes pleading with them to believe her. "You have to trust me on this"

"I believe you Nancy" Kristen walked over to her and grabbed her hand, tightly squeezing it.

Kincaid's strong voice broke through the silence, "Are you fucking for real?"

"She's telling the truth!" she snapped harshly, her blue eyes glaring furiously at him. "I've been waking up with bruises and cuts over my legs and arms. The same ones I got from him, that Freddy guy in my dream! Here, look" her hands yanked up her left jean trouser showing four nasty red scars on her lower thigh, a few inches above her knee. "The mark of his fucking claw!"

Kincaid was taken back by her brash reply. Uneasiness taking hold of him. Could this be happening? He looked across the room at his best friend Joey, knowing that had been having trouble sleeping the last week or so and asked, "Hey, man. Are you still having bad dreams too?"

Shoving his hands into his dark jeans Joey sheepishly nodded, "Yeah, they're getting worse. I have to believe what Nancy is saying, something is really wrong here"

Nancy gave a small smile, appreciating that he believed her. "What about the rest of you? Any nightmares? Hands up!"

One by one, Jennifer, Taryn, Will and Glenn raised their hands. Each of them looking slightly afraid. The others – Philip and Kincaid – had kept their hands at their side. But their faces showed their fear, their lips were tightly pursed together and there eyes flickered back and forth to the others. "Guys, tell us!"

Philip cleared his throat, "Uh, I may have had one or two dreams. But that's all. Nothing serious. I haven't woken up with any injuries"

"Yet. But if you keep dreaming of this bastard then he'll start to hurt you. Not just me and Kristen, but all of us! He's after us for some reason and we have to find out what that is!" Nancy declared sombrely, her blue eyes locked onto Kincaid's and she demanded. "Kincaid, tell me the truth. Have you been having nightmares?"

Growling in frustration Kincaid gave in, "Okay, I am. For the last week. But it's just a fucking nightmare!"

"It isn't Kincaid, that's what you have to realise. All of you need to understand! We have to stay awake, any way we can. There has to be an explanation why this guy is after us. We have to try and find a way to stop him, to kill him. But remember, we have to keep this a secret from our parents" she sighed groggily, "If they find out we've been staying awake and not sleeping then they'll start putting sleeping tablets in our food. We just can't let that happen"

"Wait" Taryn cut in, "Remember the other day at lunch time. There was a girl what was her name? Jenny? Wasn't she saying something about her dream too? Should we talk to her?"

"Yeah, we should find out where she lives. I tried to ask Katherine earlier if she was having dreams, but I didn't get the chance. I tried to phone her before I came here, but her phone was engaged"

"How about if we asked our other friends if they've been having dreams? I mean, just to make sure?" Jennifer suggested.

"Good idea" Nancy nodded.

Will stood up from the sofa he was wearily sitting on, "You said something about the guy knowing that Rod had died. What did he say exactly?"

"Uh, he said that he was the last face Rod saw before he took his last breath"

"So, he killed him too?" Will asked or well stated.

"Rod was sleep walking then?" Philip groaned, running his hand through his wavy hair, "But he was found in his car!"

Leaning against the side of the wall, Nancy stifled a yawn, "He might have fallen asleep in the car while he was trying to fix it and dreamt of that guy, who killed him using the car fumes!"

"How the hell is this guy making our dreams real?" Kristen mumbled out loud.

All of them were at a loss for words. No one knew the answer to this question. Maybe they would never find out.

Ten minutes later they had all gone their separate ways, with Joey and Will heading home together. While Kristen was giving Jennifer, Taryn and Philip a lift home. Glenn decided to walk Nancy home seeing as they lived just a few doors away from each other. And well, they were going out with each other or had just started too.

Nancy glanced apologetically at Glenn as they walked, hand in hand. Knowing that she hadn't spent much time with him lately. She had some making up to do. "I'm sorry that I haven't been in touch the last few days"

"Listen, don't worry Nancy. It's fine" he gave her hand a little squeeze, "How long have you been having these dreams?"

"About over two weeks. At first they weren't bad. But now, well they're becoming out of control. I should have been more aware if Tina was having nightmares and with Rod too!"

"Don't do that to yourself. Placing the blame on your shoulders! You weren't to know!"

She shrugged, "I know. I hope I can get to Katherine tomorrow and talk to her, hopefully after Rod's funeral. We also need to find her friend Jenny"

"I'm sure you will. Just try not to worry about it. Okay?" he glanced at the street sign as they strolled into their street. Elm Street. "Do you want me to call over tonight? When your mom and dad are asleep?"

"Oh, no way! My dad will crack if he finds out you're over! Last thing I need is to have an argument with him!" she shook her head briskly.

"No problem" he smiled, "Look, I'll phone you later. We can chat to each other, keep one another awake tonight"

"Thanks" she kissed his sweetly on his lips, "I love you, you know that?"

"Yeah, I do. Love you too" he grinned, "Talk later"

Nancy skipped across the lawn to her house, feeling a little bit better than she was earlier. She was hoping that her mood would last, but she knew that it wouldn't...

x x x

The night air was bitterly cold. Katherine had power walked from her home to the power plant and was now waiting rather impatiently for her father to show his face. She was clearly still unaware that she was in deep slumber, slumped at her side dresser. But alas she was clueless. Tonight however the secrets were going to come to the surface that would change her world, forever.

Her big brown eyes stared up at the ominous power plant, shrouded in a light mist. She wasn't sure how to enter the building and had decided to wait until her father appeared to let her in. When she was making her way over here, she had cut across the park and to her surprise she had seen a group of young children out playing jump rope. There was three little girls skipping, while two young boys were playing with a large red ball. All of them were dressed in their Sunday best clothes. It made her annoyed that they weren't at home, they were probably no more than 6 or 7. There would be no way they should be out at this time of night. Okay, it wasn't that late, but still they should have been at home with their parents.

She was considering on going over to them to ask why they were out, but had decided against it as for some reason she felt uneasy around them. Like they weren't what they seemed...

There was a clatter of metal, as though someone had pushed open a large steel door making Katherine jumped slightly in fright. She turned around and saw her father emerging from the power plant, smiling strangely at her.

Giving a small wave she hurried over to him and flung her arms around his neck, kissing his cheek softly, then snuggled her head upon his chest and muttered, "I'm so glad to see you. It's been a bad day"

He held her tightly, nestling his chin on top of her head as a devilish smile crept over this face. "Oh, really?" he asked innocently, "Why is that?"

"I'll tell you inside, it's too cold out here" she grumbled and stepped away out of his grasp. His menacing smile had now disappeared. Entangling his right hand with her left one she was soon led into the power plant. Soon, within a matter of minutes they were at the main boiler room, where he was sleeping rough. Katherine noticed a few empty beer cans and a copy of today's Springwood Gazette lying on the wooden bench. Inside the adjoining room she saw the small makeshift bed had been slept in. Just why was he sleeping in this awful place? Surely he could find himself an apartment or he could stay in a homeless shelter for a few days. Not here, in this deserted creepy boiler room.

She sighed and trudged drearily over to a small wooden chair and slumped onto it, "Tina's dead"

"Tina?" her father rose an eyebrow.

"Tina Gray" Katherine murmured, "She was a girl I had just met recently. She was that guy Rod's girlfriend. She killed herself last night. Do you know Nancy? Nancy Thompson? Well, she and Tina's mother found her last night in the bathroom. She had cut her wrists. Bleed to death" her voice began break, as she pushed back a sob, "It's scaring me"

Freddy leaned against the side of the bench, crossing his arms over his chest. "Why are you scared?"

"Well, two people have died in the space of two days. People I have had just met" her eyes darted up to his face as she shrugged nervously, "I've never dealt with death before. I mean, I've never been around death, hearing about people dying. Seeing their dead bodies...I was at Rod's wake last night"

Her father nodded slowly. There was no mistake about it, his daughter had to get used to it. He was going to start to reveal the truth tonight and when he finally disclosed what he did, his true nature she would have to accept it. Simple as that. There was no way he was going to lose her to them. He wanted her at his side, no matter what. She had to make her believe what he was doing was right. That he was getting justice. "There is nothing to be scared of Katheirne. This may seem a little harsh to say, but people die. It's a fact of life"

"I understand that people die, but to commit suicide? They didn't seem to be suicidal from what I could tell" her shoulders sagged wearily, "I just think that something strange is going on"

"Then maybe, it's about time I told you" he gave a knowing grin.

Giving her father a curious look, Katherine smiled nervously. "Told me what?"

"The truth. About me and what I do" he took off his trench-coat and placed it on the table, "There's a lot of things your mother hasn't told you"

"If you mean about the name change, then-"

He cut in sharply, "No, not that. There is much more than that. She's been keeping secrets from you. Since you were a little girl"

"What exactly?" she demanded.

"I'll tell you everything soon. But first things first" he waved his hand around the boiler room leisurely, "What if I told you all of this was a dream? That you were sleeping?"

She gave a playful laugh, "I'd say you'd been drinking too much" her head nodded towards the empty cans.

He gave a smirk and then shook his head. "No, no sweetheart. What if I told you that I was dead? That I only exist in dreams now"

She snorted in amusement, believing that he was joking with her. But her grin faded away, noticing the stern look upon his countenance. He was being serious here. Either that or he was a good fucking actor! "You're kidding right, dad? You can't be dead!"

"I am dead. I've been dead for the last ten years" his voice was cold and austere.

"No" she quickly got to her feet, "You're joking. How the hell do you explain the last few days? Hmm? We've met the last few days, in the back yard and our house! You are not dead!"

He reached out for her as she began to shake her head. Taking her shoulders in his hands he squeezed them, "You've been dreaming it princess. It's all been a dream. Every-time you've meet me, you've been asleep. You've got to believe me"

Her chest began to heave up and down frantically as she tried to keep her tears at bay, "N-no! You're not dead. I've only found you after all these years and now you're saying that it's not real. That you're not real! That it all meant nothing!"

Freddy sighed with aggravation, "It is real Katherine. I am real. I'm still alive, but only in your dreams. Listen, I'll show you something. Now, remember of some place, some time where you were the most happiest"

"What?" she narrowed her eyes with distrust and scepticism.

"Just do it" he ordered softy and leaned forward to kiss her forehead, "Think of a happy memory and I'll bring you there"

She exhaled loudly, allowing her mind to wander back to a golden memory of her childhood. Slowly, she felt light-headed and her eyes widen in astonishment as the metallic structure of the boiler room began to twist and distort, morphing and blurring into her back yard. The sun shone brightly in the baby blue sky, while the back yard was in immaculate condition with green lush grass. Small rows of red and pink roses in the middle of the garden, with a small white wired fence surrounding them. Birds chirped merrily in the large elm tree behind her. She heard a small childish giggle and looked across the yard to see herself, aged 4 or so with her hair tied back in red ribbons and dressed in her favourite dress. The pink one with small white collar.

Behind her she saw her father chasing her, dressed in dark brown trousers and dark green top, his words inaudible as he talked to her. It was the same each time when they played. Full of laughter and fun, they had their own little world. She remembered them playing games where her father would pretend to be a vampire and she was the damsel in distress and how he would chase her around the living room when her mother was out. He would always catch her and feign the pretence that he was going to bit her neck, but would instead he would tickle her with his mouth. It may seemed rather stupid now, but it was their own little fantasies.

Her eyes softened as a small tear trailed down her right cheek as she watched her father pursue her to the far end of the yard, his arms raised high as he simulated the stance of a monster. It was funny how he always liked to play the villain.

Twisting her head around she saw her father – dressed in his attire of red green sweaters, black slacks and fedora hat – leaning against the elm tree. He took a few steps towards her and handed over to her a small pink rose. "Here take it. A little present"

Again confusion crossed her mind. She knew she was dreaming, but was it real? Was her father real? Dead and living in her dreams?

"I know" her father whispered, "You're still not sure to believe me or not. But you will, soon"

She felt him slid his left hand under her sleeve and used his index and second finger to pinch her skin. In a flash she was gone...

Katherine took a sharp intake of air as her eyes snapped open. Her head sprung up from it's position on her side dresser. Sweat glistened on her forehead, she suddenly felt incredibly hot. Trying to calm her speeding heart she gulped as she felt something in her right hand. Shivering slightly she averted her gaze down towards the object.

A pink rose.

XXX

Authors Note: At last, got this up. Thought it would take forever. Hope you enjoyed it, please tell me what you think. :)