Labyrinth

[agirllost]

She doesn't want to sleep, but her body gives her no choice, and since she can't wear the twisted ring anymore, there's not even the chance of reaching Angie that way.

Warding her dreams would be a waste of time - it's hard to imagine anything waiting for her worse than reality. Angie's missing. In trouble. Hurt. And she's completely powerless. It's only the distant thought that Mesaana could discover she's still alive that makes her form the weave and then she's reluctant to let go of saidar, feeling the joy and life and strength that the Source brings, but she does right before she falls asleep.

Kim's running toward the bullpen at CTU, not the dream world version, but the one that she remembers from her months working there. She passes over the giant Counter Terrorist Unit seal on the floor and stops in her tracks when she hears a voice calling her name. Not Kim, but 'Mom'. On the monitor is a scan of a building and Tony's talking into a small headset.

"Did you hear that?" She asks out loud. Tony shoots her an annoyed look.

"Kim, we're in the middle of a mission. Go back to your station." Michelle's voice isn't one to argue with, but Kim can't ignore the sounds.

"Mom!" A shout from down the corridor, coming from another room and she tries to ignore it, because no one else hears it so it can't be --

"Mom. Mom. Please."

"Michelle, did -- "

"If you don't help Chloe with the surveillance there will be blood on your hands."

She blinks, the statement very un-Michelle like, but when she reaches out to stop her, try to convince her that there's something wrong here, Michelle *shifts* and cold blue eyes stare down at her instead.

"Help or get out of our way, Child." Michelle's voice is different too, and Kim hears the scream louder this time.

"Angie," she whispers and runs toward the corridor, or tries to, but something's holding her back and forcing her to stare up at the monitor and she tries to struggle but doesn't even move.

"Once he finishes the mission you'll see her again."

Kim clearly hears who Tony's talking to, and the way he's starting to sound concerned. "Jack, you have to get out of there -- "

The screams are getting more frantic and Kim pushes forward one more time, feeling her bonds slipping away and she reaches the door, thinks it's the door, but there's just another corridor and Angie's whimper is more horrific than any shout.

"Hold on Angie, I'm going to find you -- " she yells, running down another corridor and then another. She reaches the end and it's a stone wall and she can hear Angie on the other side. She hits the surface with her fists, feeling the jolt of pain, but she doesn't hesitate, not even as her blood stains the grey wall.

On the other side, the screaming stops.

Kim wakes up, it's almost daylight, and she's trying to muffle her sobs, not wanting to wake up her Dad. The door to his room is closed. Eventually, she calms down enough to move. She changes quickly and goes outside for an early morning practice session.