"Seriously, Rue-your heart can't continue to sustain the stress you're putting it through.  How many years has it been, with your anxiety constantly pushing you into the fight or flight response?  How many years of getting little rest?  Have you been keeping an eye on your blood pressure?  When were you last checked by a doctor"  Kaden looked concerned as he strode towards us.  Brie's expression had begun to change.

"He's right Rue.  When DID you last have someone look at you?  You can't keep surviving on those sedatives without taking care of the rest of your health too!"  Brie's face was twisted with worry.

"I know a few things that might help, at least a trick or two to help her calm down, if you'll allow me...  I'm a little concerned with her blood pressure right now, her face looks so red."  Kaden offered, gesturing with his hand.  Brie looked at me doubtfully.

"Brie..."  The snarl slipped through my teeth.  What was going on here?  How was he doing this to Brie?

"Rue, your face is REALLY red.  I'm afraid you might pass out again.  Why don't you sit down?"  Brie used her motherly voice on me while trying to force me into a chair.  I resisted, protesting heatedly.

"Seriously Brie!  Something's not right with him!"  I yelled.  Brie sighed with exasperation.

"Could you help me out here?  Brie shot at Kaden over her shoulder.

"With pleasure!"  He replied with a glint in his eyes.  I tried to pull out of Brie's grasp, realizing as I did that she was still in those goddamn heels, and I was overusing my strength again.

Brie toppled forward, and I tried to break her fall.  I felt my arm in a vice grip and a cool hand touched the back of my neck.  The shiver that ran down my spine was stilled by the sudden relaxation of my muscles.  My legs gave way and I plopped into the chair behind me, with Brie practically tumbling on top of me.  Kaden still had his fingertips on the back of my neck, as if supporting my head.

"There, that wasn't so bad, was it?"  Brie said, out of breath.  "You watch her for a minute, I'm going to go get some water and an ice pack.  Her skin feels so hot!  I hope she's not getting sick."

"Yes ma'am."  Kaden responded brightly.  I was struggling to hold my eyelids open, and my limbs felt heavy and wouldn't respond.  Brie smiled warmly at us and bustled out of the room.  Crouching down beside me to look me in the eyes with his fingers still on my neck Kaden starting whispering quickly.

"Listen, I'm going to ease up on you.  Stop trying to fight me and give me a chance to explain?"  My heartbeat was slowing to a crawl, my breathing deepening.  I wanted to kick and fight and scream, but instead I was fighting just to stay awake.  I sighed, my eyes falling shut, thoughts scattering.

"Rue, do you agree?"  Kaden shook me gently.  "As a gesture of good faith, I'm going to let you talk now.  You COULD scream, or you could listen.  Your choice."  Kaden told me.

'Scream about what again?'  I thought, confused, while some part of my brain was screaming about danger.  That part promptly went silent.

"Wass..hapnin...to me?"  I stumbled through the question.

"It's just a light sedative to keep you calm.  You can be quite feisty."  Kaden chuckled.  "I'm going to let up on it a little more so you can at least concentrate on what I'm saying."

"Concentrate...what?"  I slurred

"Concentrate on what I have to tell you, because I have some important information I want to share with you before you make any more rash decisions."  Kaden replied.  The fog was slowly lifting in my mind, but somehow the anxiety and sensory overload I was so used to was completely out of my reach.  My brain felt slow and clumsy.  Thoughts rose like bubbles in the dark, but none of the usual racket was there.  It was amazing and terrifying at the same time.  Everything was so QUIET in my head, which was a relief, but I also felt like someone had shut off part of my brain, or cut off an extra limb I didn't know I had.  Like part of me was suddenly just.. GONE.  My chest felt strangely light, no feeling of the tight little ball of anxiety or pain that was usually there, ready to explode into heat or panic at a moment's notice.  I shook my head and cleared my throat.  I still couldn't move my limbs.

"I don't understand.  What have you done?"  I asked, amazed that I felt no panic at the thought.  The bubble in my chest burst before it could form the usual knot.  "Wow, it's so, so quiet.  I actually have to THINK my thoughts..."  Kaden tilted his head to the side.

"What do you mean?"  He asked curiously.

"I don't usually think myself, so much as have the thoughts thought for me, always zooming through my mind.  It's so quiet."  I was whispering by the end.  Kaden chuckled lightly.

"It's the sedative.  I just blocked your fight or flight response, basically slowing down your adrenal response and the part of your brain that's always on high alert.  Do you like it?"  He questioned me with interest.

"Yes....and no....  I feel like a part of me is missing.  And that I suddenly lost several IQ points."  I answered  "But, how?"  Kaden sighed at my question.

"Well, you won't stop until you find out, you're also a very stubborn little creature."  He said, gently shaking me again.  "So I'm just going to come out with it.  I'm a Lukoie, a dream weaver.  What I guess you would call a 'sandman'."

"A WHAT?!"  I practically screeched.