Note: This was inspired by a deal I made with a friend of mine, to see what came up from the single topic above, within approximately a week. This is not a complete story, but a teaser, of sorts, that I am not sure if I'll finish, or not, but enjoy, anyways!

Feedback is welcome at [email protected]

Empath's Nightmare:

I tossed fitfully in my bed, as a nightmare overtook me.

Flashes of images swept through my mind.

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Grey mist curled silently, as footsteps scrabbled in a direction.

A dirty, bloodied guy scrambled backwards in terror, unaware of anything except the malovent force that was stalking his prey.

A dangerous voice echoed throughout the darkness, dripping of hunger, and of scorn. A pale white finger tapped his chin as if thoughtful, but he could sense terrible hunger.

"My, my...now I've caught you. Now shall I feed on you, or chase you? The fear is enough to sustain me....However..."

His pale hand reached down toward the fear. Palpable fear that radiated as far as an empath could project.

"Yes...little Empath....I shall have your gift..." Terror radiated from the scraggly man, as he was unable to scramble backwards against the wall.

Anger started to swell up inside him, and the foreboding presence seemed to recede slightly to his battered perceptions. Staring at the dark presence with newly found, focused, anger, he gathered what energy he had left, forming a glowing white sphere, and forcibly shuddered, as it sped toward the vampire.

The tall presence blinked in surprise, but didn't have time to escape the projectile of emotion. Groaning, he staggered backwards, his sneer momentarily faded, but it didn't take long for it to return.

"My, My. You do have spunk, don't you...Toby?" A voice, almost like admiration, tinged with slight contempt spoke toward the...victim.

Toby focused his glance at the vampire intently, with barely disguised fear.

"Now... I sense you are done." He curved his mouth to be reassuring, but it sent chills down Toby's spine. He squeezed his eyes shut because he knew he could not escape. Sinister laughter echoed through the fog-ridden night.

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"NO!"

I sat up suddenly, breathless, and damp. What the hell was that ? That was the third dream this week, and I didn't know what they meant. I swung my gaze over to my digital alarm clock. The LED display glowed a steady 3:30am. Groaning, I rubbed my hand over my face, rubbing the sleepiness out of my head.

Were they nightmares...or ..something more?

[TBC]