Echoworld

I need a trigger."

"I see. Well, I think I've figured out everything we're going to need to do. Why don't you sleep for awhile? You're going to need as -"

"I'm not tired. You are, though." It was the truth. Dreams had interrupted his fitful sleep. "You sleep and I'll tell you when we get there."

"Sounds good." He leaned himself over to the next seat, taking up two chairs. Within minutes of closing his eyes, he was asleep.

The metro station. Again. So many people, just wandering, no purpose. Their houses had been burnt down via Wren's wrath, their families killed in the blaze. They'd lost everything and had nowhere to turn. They came underground because they knew they could find others just like them. They had a place to sleep, and some heat during cold nights. They came here to find a new life - or to die.

If one of the Rats (as they'd been so aptly and cruelly named by the aristocracy) died, a group of other Rats would take the body above ground and bury it in a nearby park-turned-cemetery. A short hymn of mourning was usually sung by the entire group of Rats.

He spotted a large circle in the center of the platform, a sign someone had just died. Shaun looked down and saw that he was dressed as a Rat - ragged clothing, unshaven beard, bare feet. He found himself wandering towards the circle, curiosity overcoming his shock of suddenly being a Rat.

In the center of the circle ay a crumpled figure. Bits of whispered conversations and rumours floated to his ears.

"...Lady Wren..."

"...dead, finally..."

"...Wren..."

"Wren."

"Wren."

"Wren."

Shaun pushed his way to the front of the group and turned the body over. It was Wren's body, but with the face of a viper. It hissed at him viciously, suddenly. He jumped back, on his feet, frightened. He was wearing his normal clothing again.

The corpse stood and moved with the horde of people, all of whom were moving towards Shaun. Their pace was slow and even. He could make out various words that they, too, were hissing.

"Traitor."

"Betrayer."

"Murderer."

"What - what did I do?" he cried out, slowly moving backwards against a brick wall.

"You had the chance."

"And you wasted it."

"For love."

"For love, you'd let us starve."

"And die."

"As Rats."

"I-I didn't, I mean -" Shaun stammered.

"You did."

"You killed us."

"You killed everyone."

"Murderer."

"Betrayer."

"Traitor."

Wren's corpse, with the viper head, came for a=ward and the threatening throng stopped. Silence as she walked forward. "Could have killed me. Didn't. Everyone dies by your mistake."

Sounds of agreement from the crowd.

"Congratulations. You've killed us all."

"Shaun. Shaun!" She shook him lightly. "Wake up. We're there."

He sat up so suddenly that he fell of his chairs.

Wren laughed as she helped him up. "Are you all right?

He stood and stared at her. Should he have killed her? No matter. If this idea failed, and he survived, he wouldn't make the same mistake.

"Yes. I'm fine. We have to hurry."

The streets were dead silent. Shaun cringed at the analogy - the dream was still haunting him. Most of the streetlights were burned out, allowing the moon to shine through, giving sharp angles to everything. He and Wren traveled noiselessly, not wanting to arouse any more trouble than could be avoided.

There was no quicker form of transportation than foot, and so they walked through the city and out of it, to get to Wren's castle. Secretly, Shaun was glad they had to walk - he couldn't fall asleep while walking.

The moon was full, casting its pale light on Wren's auburn hair. She seemed to glow without even knowing it. And he did care for her.