You were so drained after the sun fully rose; signalling that it was late morning now. Your eyes were fluttering shut on their own and your power was acting up - making random rubbish on the floor rise into the air before dropping back down.

"Nice power you got there. Might wanna tone it down though, the normies will start to notice." Ari sat on the bench next to you, her face pale and drawn.

"The normies?" You quoted curiously.

"Y'know, normal people. People who don't have powers." She explained her little nickname, giving an awkward smile.

"Oh. Sorry, I guess my powers are flaring up due to the lack of sleep. I'll try to get them under control." You sheepishly replied as you focused on stopping them. It seemed to work - the trash clattering back to the ground without rising again.

"If you're having problems staying awake I can grab you a cup of coffee; they're selling them at that stand over there." Ariana offered.

"I'd love some coffee right about now." You nodded in agreement, watching her stand up again.

"Wait, where are Ellie and Lucas?" You asked quickly - worried about them being in danger.

"Relax, they went to take a romantic stroll together. Okay maybe it's not romantic, but it's keeping them awake." She replied amusedly, giving you a wave before heading off to the hot drink stand.

Your eyelids began to droop again, everything around you blurring as you grew tired again. Sleep would be good right now...Mm, sleep...Wait no. Not now. You shook your head;  attempting to wake yourself up more. Maybe walking around like Lucas and Ellie would help? Giving it a shot, you stood up and stretched, stifling a yawn afterwards.

"(Y/n)~" A familiar voice purred your name, the sinister tone sending a shiver down your spine. Did you fall asleep? That's impossible! You were standing up! You saw him in front of you, his fedora tilted at an angle and a dark grin lighting up his features. You blinked - trying to snap yourself out of your sleepy stupor.

"It's okay to be tired. Why stress yourself out when you can succumb to the sweetness of sleep? Come on, sweets, just sleep." Freddy urged manipulatively, taking steps towards you. You shook your head, taking one small step back. Don't be tricked by him, don't be tricked-

"Just do it...I know you want to. Do it, do it, do it~" He deviously cooed as he gripped your shoulders, his green eyes twinkling with evil mischief.

"I...I don't want to. Stop it..." You mumbled and rubbed at your eyes; almost begging your body to keep on ticking.

"Of course you want to, just look at you. So worn out, and for what? To keep your pathetic friends alive...what a waste of time. Come with me and I won't hurt you, I promise." The demon cradled the side of your cheek with his claws, softly stroking your skin to prove his point.

"I'm not gonna do it...I won't do it..." You rejected him faintly, flinching when his hold on you tightened.

"No? Last chance, kitten." He warned casually - but a sick smile worked its way onto his face, that in itself threatening.

"I won't do it." You repeated and tilted your head away from him; wanting him to leave you alone.

"I'll have to get you back myself, won't I?" Freddy murmured intently, letting go of you in fake-disappointment.

"Over my dead body." You bravely muttered.

"You know I won't kill you, so why go against me?" He tried a different approach, pouting a little.

"Because you're evil. You kill people. You're...You're sick." You wrinkled your nose up in disgust and threw a cold look towards him - not having any of it.

"But sugar, that's what you loved about me." The killer whispered in your ear devilishly, grinning again. You were about to deny that fact but he slashed his claws down the side of your arm; half-biting and half-kissing your tender neck. With a shriek you shoved him away, blood beginning to drip down your skin as you cried out.

"(Y/n)! It's okay - you're awake, you're awake!" Ari shook your shoulders, sighing in relief when you came to your senses.

"W-What happened-? H-How did he-?"

"He? What did Freddy do to you? And what exactly happened?" She probed softly.

"He bit my neck...and slashed the side of my arm. It really hurts." You whispered and touched your upper arm, the blood staining your fingertips.

"They're not fatal injuries, but they must sting like a real bitch. C'mon, I'll help you clean up." Ari carefully analysed, taking your hand as you both walked towards the van.

"H-He was right in front of me. I-It felt so...so real." You were shaking a little; traumatised by the twisted turn of events.

"He must be getting impatient. But he can't get to you right now, so try to calm down. Oh and here's your coffee - it'll keep you awake for today." She passed you a plastic cup whilst you sat in the passenger seat, holding the cup with cool hands.

"He just got to me though!" You were panicking - what if he could get to you anytime? What if he was just around the corner? What if-

"Only because you were half-asleep, half-awake. It's called Hypnagogia. It includes lucid thoughts, lucid dreaming and hallucinations. Your body must not be good at staying awake for longer than 24 hours." She cut your thoughts off, trying to keep you calm.

"So you're saying...?" You trailed off and sipped at the hot drink, feeling the sudden shock fade away.

"What I'm saying is that Freddy used your hypnagogic state to appear in front of you. But because you weren't fully asleep he couldn't pull you in properly." Ari patiently responded.

"I'm scared Ari." Your eyes filled with tired tears, struggling to keep control of your emotions. You didn't want to break down in front of her but you were upset, so it unfortunately happened.

"It's okay to be scared. Facing off against two killers and staying awake - that's a difficult thing to do. But we'll get through this; for Ashley, Elliot, and the other people who died. I...I promise." She heroically vowed as she hugged you.

"Thank you. I'll do my best to help." You wiped your eyes and gave her a watery smile.

"That's all we need. Now let's get you bandaged up and then look for the star-crossed lovers, shall we?" Ari planned jovially, taking out the medkit that Ellie had used to heal Lucas.

"Star-crossed lovers? They're not that bad." You shyly giggled.

"Oh Lucas, baby! Oh Ellie, mmmmm!" Ari acted out childishly, causing both of you to laugh.

"You're hopeless." You rolled your eyes and playfully nudged her; amused by her antics.

"Nu-uh. I'm full of hope. Hope keeps you alive." She disagreed, passionate about her belief.

You brooded over her statement; does hope really give someone an advantage? Or is it a false feeling that puts you at a disadvantage?Ari wrapped your arm with the bandage and cleaned your neck gently, glaring at the bite marks with severe hatred.

"A love bite...ugh, how fucking creepy can a serial killer get?" She huffed unhappily.

"I don't know...but he's been after me for a while now. I think I used to love him, but things went wrong once I realised what he was." You quietly said, glad that the blood was gone from your skin.

"Is that so? Well, lets go find the cheesy couple so we can make a plan to destroy the dream dick." Ari hopped out of the van and together you walked back into the park, both of you looking around for Lucas and Ellie.

"Ellie! Over here!" You called as you spotted the blue-haired girl, waving your arms to catch her attention. Once you did, she and Lucas wandered back over, hand-in-hand.

"Is it time?" Lucas inquired vaguely.

"Yes. Time to make a plan." Ari dipped her head as confirmation, leaning against a large oak tree. You sat on another bench; waiting to hear what the others would put forth.

Hopefully they'd have something useful to suggest-