Daniel Hall: The Sandman (New Age)/Issue 2

The second issue of the series Daniel Hall: The Sandman. The Endless have been summoned by mortals on several occassions, but none so young as the mysterious sorceress known as Casey, who has successfully summoned Dream with her magical abilities. However, her request is more than Dream bargained for...

Plot
A young girl, no more than 12, stands in a dark room lit by candle light. Her hair unkempt, her clothes ragged, and her face dirtied, it's clear she has not been taken care of. Her expression is one of rage. Pure, hate-filled anger as tears roll down her cheeks and spit dripples from her mouth just from her screaming alone.


 * Casey Campbell: Kill them! Kill every last one of them!

She grits her teeth and clenches her fists, trembling and staring down at the concrete floor below her, attempting to avoid eye-contact with the man in front of her. Daniel Hall, Dream of The Endless. He stands tall, towering over her petite frame as below him rests a chalk summoning circle. Dream simply watches the young girl in the middle of what can only be described as a breakdown.


 * Daniel Hall: ...Why?
 * Casey Campbell: Cause they deserve it! They deserve everything bad to happen to them! And... and... and they should all choke! Choke, fall over, and... and never get up again! You're the Dream King and I drew the circle, so you need to listen to me! Make them all die!
 * Daniel Hall: What would fill a child with such fury that she would demand one such as I to slaughter her entire family, Casey Campbell?

Casey grits her teeth harder and glances up at him repeatedly. She attempts to open her mouth to speak, but all that comes out is a garbled whine followed by loud sobbing as she buries her face in her hands. Dream continues to stare down at her. His face is hard to read. He could either be pitying the young girl or just be bored with the situation and both would seem just as plausable.


 * Daniel Hall (thinking): The summoning of my kind through magical rituals is not unheard of. However, it normally takes a legion of magi. And yet this one, the young thaumaturgist known as Casey Campbell, not only comprehended the spell, but managed to summon me single-handedly. Intriguing, indeed...

Casey continues to cry into her hands. Her fingers spread and she sees Dream staring at her through them. This seems to snap her back into her rageful state.


 * Casey Campbell: Shut up...! I'm not crying!
 * Daniel Hall: May I ask why you wish for me to slaughter them?

Casey stares at him. The rage slowly melts off of her face and she wipes her tears, sniffling as she does.

Dream remains quiet as Casey looks at the floor. She doesn't want to talk about the experiences that led her to this moment, but she understands that she can't convince the Lord of Dreams to do what she wants unless she confesses.
 * Casey Campbell: O-okay...


 * Casey Campbell: M-my... we were... That is that, um...
 * Daniel Hall: Take your time.

Casey smiles. Dream was only trying to help her speak, but her expression makes it seem like that's the nicest thing she's heard in a long time.


 * Casey Campbell: ...The oldest memory I've got is when I was, um... six... I think...

In a flashback, a very young Casey wanders the hallways of her home. It's a big home, one clearly owned by a well-off family. It's not a mansion, but it's undeniably fancy.


 * Casey Campbell (narration): I was walking down the halls of my house. I don't... I don't remember why I was alone... S-something I remember is that I was always told not to go into the room with the green door in the house. "Don't go in there, Casey, daddy will be upset". T-that's what they said... B-but, that day, I saw the green door hanging open...

The young Casey stares curiously and slowly approaches.


 * Casey Campbell (narration): One of them forgot to lock it, I guess... A-and... And I was a stupid little girl! I was stupid and didn't pay attention to my parents and I walked inside...

Casey opens the door. It's a room of shelves, each of which has beautiful vases, plates, and statues, all made of porcelain. Casey stares in awe at them. In particular, she seems interested in a porcelain fairy, which she slowly cups in her hand.


 * Casey Campbell (narration): T-the room was full of these beautiful... things... I don't know what they were, but they were all so shiny... And I saw a fairy. A little fairy statue. I like fairies... I wanted to hold her. That's all, honest. I just wanted to hold her in my hands and look at her. She was so beautiful... B-but...

Back in the present, Casey's eyes well up with tears again. She looks up at Dream and grips his shirt with her tiny hands. Dream allows her to do so, though it takes him off, as she gazes up at him with a tear-stained face.


 * Casey Campbell: P-promise you won't get mad at me...
 * Daniel Hall: So long as you do not attempt to decieve me.
 * Casey Campbell: I'm not, promise! I'll tell the truth, I'll even be honest about the parts I wanna lie about!
 * Daniel Hall: Then I will not get mad at you. You may continue, Casey Campbell.

Casey lets go and sniffs again.


 * Casey Campbell: I broke her...

In the flashback, the door to the room opens and startles Casey, causing her to drop the fairy. It shatters at her feet. She immediately bursts into tears and attempts to reassemble the pieces, but it's too late. Her father has entered the room and caught her. He stares down at the young Casey.


 * Casey Campbell (narration): My d-dad... He wasn't happy...
 * Casey's Father: You didn't...

He crouches down and picks up the head of the shattered fairy while Casey cries. He simply stares down at the head, not doing anything to comfort her.

The young Casey tries to hug her father, who outright rejects her embrace, pushing her away.
 * Casey's Father: We told you to stay out, Casey...
 * Young Casey: I-I'm sorry! She was so pretty, I--
 * Casey's Father: We told you to stay out and you went in anyway? Why?! What were you thinking?!
 * Young Casey: T-the door was open! I'm sorry!
 * Casey's Father: So because the door's open you think you can wander in!? What are you goddamn it, an animal!?
 * Young Casey: Huh...?
 * Casey's Father: You must be! Only animals are stupid enough to walk into a place they know they're not supposed to go! Actually, no, scratch that. At least animals won't walk into other animal's territories! You're actually even more stupid than a fucking animal!
 * Young Casey: D-daddy...


 * Casey's Father: Save it! And get out! If you're lucky, I'll be able to glue this back together...
 * Young Casey: B-but I said sorry! I'm sorry! Please!

He turns to her, his face clearly indicating that he's done with this conversation.


 * Casey's Father: Get. Out...

Tears streaming down her face and sobbing uncontrollably, Casey watches as her father scoops up what's left of the porcelain fairy. Upon realizing that he truly isn't going to hug her, she slowly rises to her feet and exits the room, her feet dragging behind her as she whines. Back in the present, she continues staring at the ground, as if ashamed to even make eye contact with Dream.


 * Daniel Hall: ...This seems like a minor reason to wish your entire family were dead.

Casey looks up at him, surprised by his blunt words before hanging her head again.


 * Casey Campbell: Uh-uh... 'S not just that...
 * Daniel Hall: I see. I apologize for assuming.
 * Casey Campbell: T-thanks... B-but... like I was saying... I think that... I t-think that... That my dad stopped loving me after I broke his fairy...
 * Daniel Hall: What makes you believe such a thing?
 * Casey Campbell: C-cause... before that he yelled at me. He yelled at me and snapped at me when he was angry. But then... He, um... It was dinner time and I was done eating. B-but I was still hungry... A-and...

Flashback Casey shows off her empty plate to her parents. Her father sits in front of her and eats his food, a steak with mashed potatoes, while her mother smokes beside them both.


 * Young Casey: I'm still hungry.
 * Casey's Father: Be happy with what you get, Casey.
 * Young Casey: Could you make me more peas?
 * Casey's Father: Be happy with what you get, Casey...
 * Young Casey: But I'm not full, daddy! I want more peas! I'm hungry! I'm hungry now!

Casey begins slamming her fists on the table, throwing a tantrum as very young children are known to do. Her father simply listens to her fists slamming, his face becoming more contorted until he responds by slamming his own fist, even louder than her. Casey flinches back. Her mother doesn't react and keeps smoking, as if in her own world. Casey's father stares down at her, his imposing frame casting a shadow over the trembling young girl. But then...


 * Casey's Father: ...It's not even worth it.

Casey's father takes his seat and begins eating again. Casey stares at him. She's stopped trembling. In fact, she's stopped doing anything anymore.


 * Casey's Mother: ...I'll just make her some soup.

The father doesn't respond. Back in the present, Casey has the face of a broken person. If she has any more tears to shed, they aren't coming out.


 * Casey Campbell: ...I thought I'd be happy to not hear him yell at me.
 * Daniel Hall: But...?
 * Casey Campbell: ...I wasn't... I... I felt hollow. He had screamed at me so many times before, and the one time he decided not to, I... I felt so...

Casey stares down at her own hands.

Dream raises an eyebrow but nods and allows Casey to continue.
 * Casey Campbell: It was like he didn't care enough about me to even yell at me anymore...
 * Daniel Hall: That is quite a sad tale, though I still feel as though this is not enough to require my summoning or to wish death upon your loved ones. Or, shall we say, formerly loved ones...
 * Casey Campbell: I'm still not finished...


 * Casey Campbell: ...My mom. She's... she makes... well...

In the flashback, Casey's mother downs some pills.


 * Casey Campbell (narration): She hasn't been the same since she started taking her medicine...

Casey's mother places her pills on the cabinet beside her and flops over on her bed, which is poorly kept. The floor is dirtied and covered in garbage bags and empty pill bottles. She stares up at the ceiling as her head rests on a pillow without a sheet, her face devoid of any emotion and her eyes half-lid. Somehow though, a tear manages to fall down her cheek.


 * Casey Campbell (narration): She says she needs her medicine to be happy, but she never seems happy after taking them...

Something creeks. This simply sound causing her mother to react finally, one of pure shock at such simple stimulation. She jolts up and spots Casey standing at the door frame. Casey is a little older than in the previous flashbacks, but is still clearly younger than she is now. She stands perfectly still and she seems almost afraid as she hopes that her mother didn't hear. Casey's mother smiles at seeing her.


 * Casey's Mother: Casey, come to bed with mommy...

Casey's face contorts and her breathing increases. She very slowly turns around and approaches her mother, who lifts her up into the bed with her and cradles her from behind.


 * Casey Campbell (narration): I never liked being hugged by my mom... Her hands felt like a cheese grader was running across my skin, her breath always smelled like smoke, and the way she hugged me... it felt more like how you would hug a stuffed animal than a living creature...

Casey's mother sighs loudly. The young Casey's face cringes.


 * Casey's Mother: People... are awful, Casey.

Casey, still refusing to speak, glances back at her.


 * Casey's Mother: They treat you in ways you never wanted to be treated... They make you feel like you're less than nothing and that they could treat you like dirt before just scraping that dirt off their shoes.

She rolls over and lights up a cigarette, smoking it right beside her daughter's face. She seems either unaware or uncaring that Casey doesn't like the smoke, coughing in response to it.


 * Casey's Mother: You know, they give you this stuff that's meant to make you feel better, but then after a while your body gets used to feeling good and... it stops. But at that point it's too late. You keep buying their slop anyway because you can't live without it anymore... You don't feel good, but you know you'll feel worse without it...

She continues to smoke. Below her, Casey's eyes have begun welling up with tears. She doesn't want to talk about this with her mother. She doesn't understand what she means and, even if she did, she knows this isn't something you're meant to talk to young kids about. Her mother seems oblivious and just keeps rambling.


 * Casey's Mother: Sometimes you get a sorry out of them... but usually not. And even if you do get a sorry, it's never the sorry you want, you know?
 * Young Casey: No...

Her mother flinches at Casey finally speaking up for herself, seeming to be genuinely taken aback as if this has never happened before.


 * Casey's Mother: What do you mean...?
 * Young Casey: I-I don' know... what you mean...
 * Casey's Mother: What's that supposed to mean...?

Casey bites her lip and continues breathing erratically, unsure how to express herself. In response to this, her mother begins stroking her hair, which only makes Casey shed more tears. Her mother completely ignores this.


 * Casey's Mother: You know, I don't have any friends, Casey... And your father is... well, you've seen the man. Your brother is even worse... The boy grew up and now he doesn't even want to look in his mother's direction anymore...

She lies her head down against Casey's, treating her as if she were a pillow as Casey continues to cry.


 * Casey's Mother: I thought your father would be different, you know that...? Before him, I was only ever with one other man, the person who became your brother's father... And, you know Casey, when I found out I was pregnant with your brother, I was actually excited... I was a lonely teenage girl who managed to get herself pregnant. I thought that meant he was never allowed to leave me... and then I found out he had fallen down some stairs and killed himself.

Casey flinches and repeatedly glances up at her mother.


 * Casey's Mother: I had lost my chance to make a man be with me... And I didn't want to let that happen again. That's why when I met your father, Casey, I wanted to make sure he stayed. He was the most handsome man I had ever seen, tall, dark, everything a girl would love... So, I...

She chuckles and smiles, reminiscing on whatever she had done.


 * Casey's Mother: You're a little young to know the details. But... men have this unique... "thing" that stops women from getting pregnant. And if it breaks, obviously, it doesn't work. And I needed someone in my life, Casey. So I poked holes into it while he wasn't looking... The moment I found out I was pregnant with you, I called him immediately and told him. I didn't want to risk him slipping through my fingers, too... He was mad at first, but he knew what he had to do. We were married by the end of the month. And I hoped I'd never be alone again... But I was... I was with him every day of my life now, but I was still alone...

Casey's mother smiles widely and looks down at her.


 * Casey's Mother: That is until you were born... now I'm never alone. I don't need friends, loved ones, I don't even need a husband. I have my Casey...

She kisses Casey's cheek. This brings Casey absolutely no joy and she continues sobbing in her mother's grasp. In fact, now that her mother has confessed that Casey has to essentially fill all of her emotional needs, she only seems to cry more. Back in the present, Casey is once again crying and staring at the floor. Dream just watches her and, having learned his lesson by now, just nods in response to the story.

She swallows and wipes her tears.
 * Daniel Hall: There is still more, yes?
 * Casey Campbell: Mhmm...


 * Casey Campbell: I... I...
 * Daniel Hall: Take your time.
 * Casey Campbell: ...I'm sorry if... I cry... a lot... B-but my brother... My half-brother... H-he really...

She looks up at him, pure terror in her eyes.


 * Casey Campbell: I think he was the worst of all of them...

Casey, now the oldest she's ever been in the flashbacks, runs into the kitchen to hide behind her father. She clings to him, as if for dear life, while staring as a thin boy, not much older than her, walks through the door and stops in front of her. The boy is completely silent and he has little to no emotion on his face. However, his eyes have a petrifying gaze.


 * Casey's Father: Casey, what's happening?

The young Casey recoils further, as if seeking protection from her father.


 * Casey's Father: Do you not want to play with your brother?
 * Young Casey: Mm...
 * Casey's Father: Casey, go play with your brother.
 * Young Casey: But dad, he's... weird...
 * Casey's Father: Don't say that about your brother, now get out and play.
 * Young Casey: Dad, I--
 * Casey's Father: Casey. I am your father.

He grips her head and makes her look at him.


 * Casey's Father: Now listen to me...
 * Young Casey: ...Yes, dad...

She reluctantly walks out from behind her father and over to her brother, staring up at him while trembling. Her brother, ever emotionless, reaches down and grabs her shoulder a little too tight, starting to walk off with her. He walks her out of the poorly kept house and through the streets. Casey glances around at the various people she passes.


 * Casey Campbell (narration): There were a lot of people on the streets... And... I wanted to ask them to help... but I didn't know what I'd even say. W-when I think about what happened next... I wish I did, anyway...

Casey stands in the middle of the woods. She glances around, thinking about all of her options. In front of her is her brother, who is just standing in front of her with his hands in his pockets.


 * Young Casey: C-can... Why are we out here...?
 * Casey's Brother: You know, I used to be mom's only kid before you showed up.
 * Young Casey: W-what...?

He crouches down and starts picking grass into his hand.


 * Casey's Brother: I was the favorite. Then you showed up.
 * Young Casey: ...Mom said that--
 * Casey's Brother: Mom was just trying to make you feel better.

Casey goes quiet and silently watches her brother continue picking grass and placing the grass pieces into his hand.


 * Young Casey: What're you doing?
 * Casey's Brother: You'll see...

He slowly walks over to her. Without warning and without showing any kind of feeling, he pushes her to the ground. She attempts to get back up but just him pressing his hand against her chest pins her to the ground. She squirms, struggles, and even claws at his face, drawing blood, which trickles from the side of his head down to his chin.


 * Young Casey: Don't, please! What are you doing!?

He shoves the grass into her mouth. She squirms and tries to spit it out, but he covers her mouth. Her body and limbs continue to spasm but he holds her down and it becomes clear to her that she can't escape this. Her brother grabs her nose, stopping her from breathing completely, which only seems to increase her attempts to escape, though all are in vain. Some time later, the aftermath is shown. Casey's face is covered in bruises and trickling blood from the obvious beating that she's been given. Her mouth is still covered and she is still pinned to the ground. Her brother simply stares down at her as she finally swallows.


 * Casey's Brother: Good girl.

In her weak state, unable to even squirm, her brother lifts her up and slumps her against a tree.


 * Young Casey: W-what're you doing...?

Casey's brother takes off his belt and slowly ties it around her, tying her to the tree.


 * Young Casey: What is this? What's happening!?

Her brother walks away.


 * Young Casey: W-wait! Get back here! You can't leave me here! I don't... I'm... I...

She cries and is unable to do anything but watch as she's left to die in the woods.

For hours, Casey remains perfectly still while tied up against the tree. She'd likely be crying if she even had the energy to do it anymore. But she doesn't. So she goes limp. That is until she hears something and turns to her left, revealing a squirrel has found her and is fidgeting with the belt tying her up. The squirrel, curious, begins gnawing at it. Some hope flashes in her eyes as she slowly watches as the squirrel chews, and chews, and chews. Until, finally, the belt snaps and Casey drops to the ground.
 * Young Casey: Please...


 * Young Casey: Yes!

Startled, the squirrel runs off, though Casey still seems happy and runs off through the forest. She trips several times, but immediately gets up and runs through the woods and into the streets, sprinting as fast as she can all the way to her home. When she reaches the door, she stops for a moment to catch her breath and finally knocks on the door. Her father answers and he seems absolutely petrified at seeing her.


 * Casey's Father: Oh my god, Casey... Where the hell have you been? We thought you were dead!
 * Young Casey: W... what...?

Her father grabs her and pulls her in, closing the door behind them both. He drags her to the living room, where her mother is cradling her brother while in tears. Upon seeing her, her mother lets him go and runs over to her, scooping her up and holding her a little too tight.


 * Casey's Mother: Oh, my precious baby...!
 * Young Casey: ...What happened?
 * Casey's Father: Your brother told us that you fell down a hill and that he couldn't find you.
 * Casey's Mother: We thought you were dead! P-please, don't scare mommy like that again! Mommy needs you!

Casey's eyes go wide and she stares at her brother, who just stares back.


 * Casey's Brother: How'd you get back home?
 * Young Casey: I...

She stares at him in pure shock and terror.


 * Young Casey: ...I crawled out from the bottom of the hill and walked...

Her brother smiles at this.


 * Casey's Brother: Good job...

In the present, Casey just remains quiet and staring off at nothing. It's as if recounting this story caused her emotions to shut off. Dream tilts his head.


 * Daniel Hall: Why did you not inform your parents of what he had done?
 * Casey Campbell: ...I don't know.
 * Daniel Hall: I... see. I apologize, but I still fail to understand. Why do you wish for your entire family's demise rather than simply your brother's, if his actions were so much more harmful to you?
 * Casey Campbell: ...Every time I was made to feel bad, I just pretended I was somewhere else.
 * Daniel Hall: Excuse me?
 * Casey Campbell: I imagined I was somehwere else. Like... a kingdom... or... or I pretended that I was Supergirl... B-but... I can't imagine anymore...
 * Daniel Hal: ...Elaborate.

Casey stares at the ground, trembling.


 * Casey Campbell: W-whenever I was feeling lonely, or sad, or... or anything... I pretended that I was somebody else. Somebody who had a better house, or... or a better life... a better family. But... then I realized... It... I finally realized how bad this was... How everything was. And suddenly, pretending didn't feel good anymore. So, I stopped... And... and then I was never able to pretend again... even when I really wanted to...

Casey looks up at him with a face red with rage and sorrow, tears streaming down her face as it seems to dawn on her how helpless she is.


 * Casey Campbell: I can't even dream anymore... I'm broken...

Dream's hand rests on her head and her eyes light up at this. Her face, once horrified and sad, has become filled with a cautious joy, the simple act of kindness being enough to lighten her mood.


 * Daniel Hall: No, Casey Campbell. You are not broken. It is all the others who are broken. They have stolen your ability to dream. The only thing in your life that has brought you joy. And they have abused their own dreams, using them to twist reality into a world where they are justified in their actions. I understand now why you would wish death upon them. However, it is not my place to cast that sort of judgement upon others.
 * Casey Campbell: B-but--
 * Daniel Hall: I am sorry, but my mind is set. I can not kill your family. However... I will punish them for their actions. They had no right to steal the dreams of another.
 * Casey Campbell: You... You will...?
 * Daniel Hall: I will, Casey Campbell. For you, I restore your ability to dream. And for your family... you will see their punishment very soon...

Casey smiles and looks up. Dream is now gone. She is also now standing in a regular basement, no glyph on the ground or candles lighting the room. Upon realizing this, she hears footsteps and the door slowly creeking open. Her head snaps around, revealing her parents have walked down into the basement with her. She flinches back at seeing them, only to then feel as a hand ruffles her hair. She looks up and sees, much to her surprise, the smiling face of her father.


 * Casey's Father: Casey... My little girl... Oh god...

He slowly breaks down into tears and holds her tightly, as if never wanting to let go.


 * Casey's Father: Oh dear god, sweetie... C-can you ever forgive me...? I... I...
 * Casey's Mother: Jesus Christ... I can't believe all that stuff I did...

Her mother covers her face in shame. They hear the door creek again, revealing her brother standing in front of them. He swallows and slowly looks up, revealing the first actual emotion he has ever shown. And it's pure regret and sorrow.


 * Casey's Brother: I... have been reborn...

They all stare at him and wait for what he has to say. He slumps over and sits on the stairs.


 * Casey's Brother: The day Casey fell... It was me... I left her to... to die...
 * Casey's Father: You did what!?
 * Casey's Mother: Sweetie, calm down, he--
 * Casey's Brother: No... he's right to be angry... And I understand that now... I know I can't ever be forgiven, but... that won't stop me from trying... That's why I've called the police and have agreed to turn myself over for psychiatric care... Please...

He looks up and seems genuinely ashamed and horrified at himself.


 * Casey's Brother: Please tell me that a monster like me can still change...!

Casey stares in disbelief. She looks down, crying again as she clings to her father.


 * Casey's Father: Oh, Casey, sweetie, what's the matter?
 * Casey Campbell: Nothing, dad...

Casey looks up, smiling for the first time in probably a very long time.


 * Casey Campbell: Nothing at all...

Casey and her family are viewed from what appears to be a book, a hole ripping through it as if a window to reality. The owner of the book is quickly revealed as Destiny, who stares into it while flipping through the pages.


 * Destiny: Casey Campbell's family had their dreams taken from them. They were no longer able to justify what they had done to her. Casey Campbell had dreams of porcelain fairies while her parents showered her with the love and affection they starved her of for the entirety of her life, though her brother spent many of his years within the halls of Ravenscar Secure Hospital, being treated for his variety of mental ailments. Casey was put through college, attending a private school, and eventually graduated to become a librarian and aspiring author. Though her book was not published for some time, it quickly became a best seller. Casey Campbell lived a long life before she eventually died, at age 96. As for the Dream King...

He flips the page, revealing another window-like vortex that shows Dream sitting on his throne.


 * Destiny: He couldn't help but wonder how Casey Campbell got her hands on a grimoire that was capable of summoning him. Or how she was powerful enough to summon him in the first place. However...

He flips the page again, revealing a man sitting in shadows within a library. He is smoking a pipe that only barely reveals some of his facial features and is reading a book. The book is solid black and emblazoned on the front cover is a golden image of the symbol of Dream.


 * Destiny: ...Perhaps that is another story for another day.