“Failed is… the wrong word. Starting an awakening is something easily done on your own, but once you’re in the thick of it…” Finnegan heaved a heavy sigh. “I don’t think anyone could dig their way out of that mess.” A brief twinge of nostalgia sparkled in his eyes. “But dreamwalkers… we have a way of finding each other, of making friends with each other - of becoming trusted partners that can save each other from even the darkest of thoughts. Every dreamwalker I’ve met has a story about how another dreamwalker pulled them out of their own despair and helped them see the beauty in their shadows. For me, it was Chip.”
“Right. Sorry. I shouldn’t have used that word.” Andie let out a little nervous laughter. “It was insensitive… and I guess it makes sense you can’t beat your own Nightmare. It’s literally an amalgamation of all your fears and weaknesses.” She froze. “Wait. What if no one came?”
Finnegan arched an eyebrow. “Pardon?”
“What if a dreamwalker had an awakening, but nobody came to help them with it.” Andie slowly felt all the energy from her victory boil up into anxiety. “What if they had to go through what Dyllan did all by themselves, what if they just… sat there inside their own Nightmare for an entire night! All alone, surrounded by -”
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“Andie. Stop.” Finnegan spoke softly, but with a powerful sternness. “You’re blaming yourself for Maddie becoming a nightwalker, aren’t you.”
“…I could have helped her. I should have helped her - should have been there for her!” Andie started to fidget, overwhelmed by an instinct to DO something, but completely without any idea what. “She was a dreamwalker. Someone who put everything at risk to help other people, but when she needed someone… I wasn’t there.”
“Neither were your two friends, but I know you wouldn’t blame them.”
“That’s different!” Andie started to pace frantically. “I’m -”
“Andie!” A sudden sharpness flickered in Finnegan’s voice, causing Andie to jolt with surprise. “I… look.” He walked over to a nearby bench and gestured for Andie to sit down with him. “It’s okay, Sprout. You’re okay. Take a deep breath, and… there was something your mother taught you, wasn’t there? Something for when you feel overwhelmed?”