Author's Notes: I had said that I wouldn't be writing anything more to this story... Well, I guess I shouldn't have said that, because a few days ago, this popped into existence. This gives a better description of what the Nightmare is. However, Nightmares are still a problem that has no solution yet, but maybe that'll be what pops into existence next time.

In any case, I hope you enjoy this as you relax and read.

The little boy glared out into the deepening darkness as if he were daring it to make the first move. The sun was on the verge of dipping below the horizon and the shard of moon gave little light. The crickets were out in force and the boy could hear the wind howling through the treetops; there was a storm coming.

The boy was dark against the slender tree he hid behind. He knew the tree didn’t’ give much protection from the thing that was watching him from the tree line. Though the lonely willow was better than the open field around him.

He quickly calculated his chances if he bolted for the opposite tree line behind him. If the thing was an ordinary animal, he decided he’d have a slim chance, especially if he could manage to scale a tree.

But if the thing wasn’t ordinary… The boy shivered, but it had nothing to do with the fierce wind.

Suddenly, he felt a second pair of eyes on him. He was slightly relieved, only ordinary predators ran in packs; he had a better chance.

The boy sprang into motion; pumping his legs as fast as they could go. He quickly realized that he could not hear the footfalls of those that chased him, so he slowed down a shade. Glancing back, he saw what he had feared all along.

It was a Nightmare. The gloss on its fur was slick like blood, though without the reddish tint. The blank soulless eyes were boring straight back at the boy.

The boy began to panic as terror filled his mind; the Nightmare smiled, drinking in the fear that made it stronger.

Panic gave the boy extra speed ass the tree line neared. It would be death to try and climb a tree. But it was also be death to keep running. The boy couldn’t decide.

The Nightmare’s partner made the decision for the boy as it burst from the trees and caught him.

The boy only had time for a flicker of a surprised thought:

Since when do Nightmares hunt in packs?