[047]

[oliverplus]

[after days of inadvertently slipping off to sleep and experiencing the same nightmare, then seeing others on the network banish theirs, Oliver knows he can't just keep running out of the room when he turns up in his. he has to make this stop somehow

Comments

[bit_impossible]

[oh, any other time and he'd be yelling at his friend to get out, but...he's actually trying to face his fear! finally, something's gotten through to him!]

That's it, Ollie! You can do it!

[oliverplus]

[surprised to realize his sphere is on, looks at the Doctor, startled] Doctor! [but he nods at the words, jaw set] It's dead. Even if something's left...it can't happen like this!

And what makes you so sure? Are you really going to risk that? [it takes a step toward Oliver, smiling menacingly]

[bit_impossible]

There isn't anything left! Just your fear of it!

[oliverplus]

[steps up to Oliver, grinning] Are you sure enough to let her die for that?

[momentary fear flickers through his eyes, his resolve shaking] Sh-she won't!

[the Puppeteer backhands Oliver across the face, the force of the blow sending him sprawling, and advances on Chloe]

[bit_impossible]

Just remember she's not real! She's back on Earth in 2006, studying away for those exams of hers! You have to believe that, Ollie!

[oliverplus]

[pulls himself to his feet, his face red where it was hit. the Puppeteer's strength is as inhuman as ever]

I...I know. I'll make it back there. I'll see her!

[the Puppeteer has seized Chloe in the meantime, and is now holding her in front of him, by the throat--a very nostalgic move] Oh, she is there. And you'll kill her then, too. Just like this. [begins to squeeze]

[bit_impossible]

You shut it!

Ollie, just think of that memory of yours. Don't you want that to happen again? To be with her again? Think of that! Not what this stupid construct of your mind is doing.

[oliverplus]

[the Puppeteer loosens its grip around Chloe's throat just enough that she can whimper] Should I let her speak for me, then? Tell her dear Ollie just how much he's hurt her?

[Oliver shakes his head, closing his eyes briefly and thinking of that memory like the Doctor said] No! If I can go back to her, I can make up for leaving. And I want to... [steps forward, toward the Puppeteer] You can't kill her! You can't touch her where she is!

No, that's your job, isn't it? You can feel it, can't you? In your mind? You see it in your nightmares--all that darkness you have inside. So much darkness...can you really expect to keep anyone safe from it? Can you save them from those things you see when you close your eyes?

[bit_impossible]

Nightmares are just that: nightmares. They won't ever become real. It's something you're afraid of, so don't listen to him, Ollie!

You have to believe in yourself!

[oliverplus]

I do! I... [but he's faltered again, his struggle showing on his face] Doctor! I'm not Sukhrit. I won't snap. You said so, right? It didn't have a chance to do that much to my mind. If there's anything left, I can fight it. And I have help!

Ohhh, you think so, but this time, the Doctor's wrong. How do you think I spent those three days, Oliver? You could feel it, couldn't you? You didn't know what it was, but you could feel me in there, changing you--turning you into this. [it squeezes tightly now, and everyone can hear the crack as Chloe's neck breaks]

[bit_impossible]

Oliver Day, how many damn times will I have to say it before it gets through that thick skull of yours?!

There's nothing left, you won't snap or become anything like Sukhrit, and you can fight this fear!

[oliverplus]

[unfortunately, his gaze is riveted to Chloe's dead body. and the Puppeteer sees that, so it just keeps holding her, stroking her face mockingly now] She'll die--and all because she loved you.

[Oliver lets out a cry of anger and pain, charging toward the Puppeteer]

[bit_impossible]

Why don't you ever listen to me, you damned idiot?! She's not real and you'll only get yourself killed again!

[oliverplus]

I won't! I'm gonna-

[thankfully, the Doctor's message slows him down just enough that he sees the Puppeteer drop Chloe, lunging for him. Oliver jumps desperately to the side, and the Puppeteer hits the wall, just missing him. Oliver backs up hurriedly, stumbling over a table] Okay, I'm listening! Doctor, how do I fight it?

[bit_impossible]

Oliver...if I had the true answer to that, do you think you'd be here right now?

[oliverplus]

Then help me work it out! If I can't fight it, what do I do? How do I prove I'm not afraid?

Haven't you figured it out by now, Oliver? You can't prove you aren't afraid because you are.