"Do you trust me?" the white-haired woman asked softly.
"Of course." The boy nodded. "You're the only one I can trust now."
"Mm." The woman gave a quiet reply.
The sun slowly set, and the light inside the room grew dim.
Steady breathing filled the room as they drifted off to sleep, one after another.
Until a muffled groan of pain shattered the peace.
Under the clear moonlight, the boy lay curled up on the floor, blood flowing from his eye sockets.
The white-haired woman's hands were stained with blood as she wept silently.
"What are you doing?" Herta cried in disbelief.
At that moment, the ground shook violently, and buildings cracked and collapsed.
Something had emerged from the earth.
Herta jolted awake from her nightmare!
It was the small hours of the morning, and everything outside was quiet.
Terribly thirsty, Herta left her room and went to the living room for some water.
By the light of the streetlamps outside, Herta could clearly see someone sitting silently beside the living room window.
Number Seven!
For no reason she could explain, Herta felt her heart clench.
She steeled herself and approached, pretending nothing was wrong as she asked:
"Didn't you go to bed ages ago? Why are you sitting here?"
"I can't sleep." Number Seven's voice was a little hoarse.
"Because of that nightmare?" Herta asked cautiously. "What's happening in the dream now?"
"The blood has risen past my nose. I have to keep kicking constantly just to breathe." Number Seven's voice was low. "This nightmare leaves me utterly exhausted when I wake up. I'm terrified of sleeping. I've started to fear that moment when my strength gives out, when I can't kick anymore and drown in that nightmare."
"How long can you hold out?" Herta asked.
"Probably no