Chapter 4: The Second Ray of Hope

Alicia fell asleep and found herself knee deep in silvery fog. She knew she was dreaming again, thus, she knew who was bound to show up.
"Why do you keep trying escape me, my love?" The Hunter asked, putting his cold hands on Alicia's shoulders as he crept up behind her.

"Don't touch me!" Alicia demanded, slapping the angelic looking demons hands away. "Your touch is like ice!"

"If you wish...I could change your feelings about me." Hunter said, shape shifting into Maxwell's form again.

"STOP THAT!" Alicia screamed. "Leave me alone, for the last time!"

The Hunter seized Alicia by the arms again; she struggled and cried for help. Darkness stayed silent, Hunter had completely blocked him out. Alicia was on her own. She closed her eyes tightly and then opened them again. Hunter laughed at her coldly.
"No use trying to wake up, my love." He said. "I won't let you wake yourself. That's the advantage of dwelling in dreams, you see."

"LET ME WAKE UP!" Alicia shrieked. "I WANT TO WAKE UP! SOMEBODY WAKE ME, PLEASE!" She'd never felt as helpless as she did. It was as if Hunter was draining all the courage she had around other demons. He was different then the Geists, Gigas and Screamers she had faced and now clearly more threatening, she realized. She continued to shout for someone, anyone to wake her, hoping she was even vocalizing in her sleep.

Alicia! Darkness finally spoke up clearly. Alicia, can you hear me?

"Darkness!" Alicia exclaimed, still trying to break free of Hunters grip. "Help me!"

Alicia! Listen! Someone is trying to wake up and as you draw closer to consciousness, I can contact you again.

Alicia? Maxwell's voice echoed in Alicia's head after Darkness'. Alicia! Wake up!

...

Alicia woke to lantern light and Maxwell shaking her. She breathed heavily and ran her hand across her forehead. She sighed at how much she had been sweating.
"Are you okay, Alicia?" Maxwell asked.

Alicia looked up at him. "It's...cold in here."

"Well, I'm not surprised. You kicked off all your blankets during you little fit while you were asleep."
Alicia looked down to the floor, and as Maxwell said, all the blankets were either on the floor or just barely hanging off the side of her cot. "You must have been having one hell of a dream." Maxwell continued.

"It wasn't a dream..." Alicia said. "It was a nightmare. I don't think I'll ever have a 'dream' again."

"You wanna talk about it?"

Alicia...The Hunter is out for his blood because he woke you. If you tell him about Hunter, it will be much easier for the demon to find him. Darkness intervened. If you value his life, you will not say a word.

Alicia stayed silent from shock for a few moments and then spoke. "No. I'd rather not...You wouldn't understand."

Maxwell nodded, showing that he respected Alicia's decision. "Well then...Can you get back to sleep?"

"Not sure." Alicia answered honestly. She had a thought, but she knew what Darkness would say about it. "But I think I'll take the risk..."

Good girl.

"Alright." Maxwell sighed, standing.

"Maxwell." Alicia called as he started to walk towards his own room. He looked back at her. "Thank you."

Maxwell smiled. "No problem. I'll be listening encase you need me again."

Alicia turned over on her side and closed her eyes again. She slept peacefully for the rest of the night.

...

Alicia. Wake up, you lazy girl. Darkness whispered in the back of Alicia's mind. She woke and saw the time. 11:15 am. She'd over slept; usually Darkness woke her near after dawn. I've been trying to wake you for hours, child.

"Sorry Darkness." Alicia said a she pushed the blankets aside and reached for her boots.

As Alicia exited the cabin into the morning sun light, she met Judith. She'd traded in her torn jeans in for black thin pants and her sweater in for a small tank top that fit her body nicely.
"Oh, Alicia." She said. "I'm glad I found you."

"Morning, Judith."

"I had two visions last night, Alicia." Judith whispered. "I've never had more than one in a single 24 hour standing, so this must be important!"

"What were your visions?"

"The Hunter."

Alicia felt cold. "What about him?"

"He's going to find a way into our world." Judith whispered harshly. "I don't know how he will, but be will and when he does, he'll come after you."

Alicia chose not to dwell on this, despite Darkness' barks to gain more information. "What about your second vision?"

"Ah, my second vision..." Judith paused for a few minutes to ensure that she and Alicia were alone. "I saw...Utopia. Our world has a chance of becoming peaceful again, but first, something needs to come into it."

This was good news to both Alicia and Darkness. A new, pure, peaceful world was all they wanted from the start. "What? Tell me more, Judith."

Judith. Darkness spoke out, knowing that the girl could hear him too. What needs to come into Alicia's world in order for it to become pure again?

Judith took a breath before answering. "Her child."