19. Nightmare 1

"Okay, here I go," he said as he began walking slowly towards the black fog.
"Good luck," Nathaniel called after him, "we'll be here when you get back."
"Thanks," William called with a wave over his shoulder. With ay luck, he wouldn't be coming back. If he was right, then once h faced his nightmares, he would be back home again. Right?
The fog was like a wall in front of him, and he hesitated for a moment before plunging into the darkness. A humanoid shape approached him from out of the fog. It shuffled along slowly and seemed like it was using a cane or walking stick. William braced himself for what he was about to see.
The form resolved into an old man walking with he help of a cane. "Sonny, can you help me?" the old man asked, squinting from behind thick glasses.
"Can you spare a dollar for an old man?" his hoarse voice cracked.
"Sure. What's your name, old timer?" He got out his wallet and prepared to dig out some cash.
"My name's William. And thank you for your generosity. Every little bit helps you know."
"William?" he asked, frozen in place.
"That's right. You got that dollar or what?" he was holding out his hand expectantly.
HE pulled a twenty dollar bill out of his wallet and handed it to the old man, "There you go, sir."
"Thank you, son. Thank you very much," he grinned and nodded. "Say, you look awful familiar. Have we met before?"