Angel's daughter

Chapter 20

I opened my eyes to darkness. It was pitch black but I swear I saw something moving in it. Moving fast. I shot up with a scream. I fell off my bed, backing up into a wall. I don't know where it is but it's here somewhere. I didn't even want to turn the light on in case I saw something. The light came on anyway when my dad came in. He paused at the doorway while I scanned the room for what had moved. Nothing was out of place except for what I bumped into. I sighed. That's dumb. I feel dumb. It was bad enough when it was just nightmares but now any movement in the corner of my eye warrants fight or flight. I get sick with how much it happens in a day. I sat down on the floor with my head in my hands just shaking my head. There my dad is too, beside me. How often he's had to check on me. I'd gotten better. I'd stopped sleeping in their bed so often, I didn't want to go back to it again,

"Grace" He said quietly. I just shook my head,

"I know" I hissed. I don't even know what I was angry about. I heard more footsteps. Please don't tell me I woke anyone with that scream. I didn't look up at them, I don't want to know,

"Nightmare?" Dean's voice,

"Yeah" Shut up. I sighed, leaning my head back against the wall,

"I just want to sleep" It came out as a whisper since I didn't trust my voice. Dad put his hand under my arm, nudging me up. I got up and flopped down on my bed again, staring up at the ceiling. I didn't turn the light off and I saw my dad take a seat on the bed beside me. He didn't say much, just kissed me on the forehead as I nodded off again. I fell asleep very quickly since this wasn't the first time tonight I've had trouble. I could have slept for a while but I just kept seeing that hound running for me at such speed every time I tried to sleep. I jumped awake again and it clearly wasn't that long since my dad was still sitting there with the light on. I sat up again, rubbing my eyes. I just want to sleep, "Ugh" I leaned over my body, my head actually leaned against my dad's arm,

"Come with me" My dad said,

"No" I shook my head, "I'll just keep mum up. She's already worried"

"Your mother's already up" I just moaned as a response. I don't even care about talking now. My dad took my arm and pulled me off my bed. I let him until my legs swung free from the blankets then I stood up. Out in the hall, I saw Dean still there too, watching from further away. I had my eyes closed for most of the walk to my parents' room, I barely opened them when I got in. My mum was still awake, the light was on. She only seemed to relax when I got in and settled into bed. She went into her usual position, arms around me firmly. I was sandwiched in between them as usual. I just heard what was going on around me, I was far too tired to open my eyes for it. I heard a smooch sound above me then another kiss on my forehead before the second warm body climbed in. I fell asleep so quickly I thought I was falling through the bed. I arrived in my dream already in a sense of panic then I heard the howl. I ran in a direction, not even sure where the hound was. I broke free from the buildings and started climbing the nearest tree, hoping the mutt couldn't climb trees as easily as it could buildings. I looked below me at the growling and it stood there, staring up at me. I closed my eyes, hugging the tree tighter,

"It's not real. It's just a dream" I looked down and saw it digging its claws into the wood, slowly climbing up, "No, no" I looked away, burying my face in the tree. The tree I was hugging felt soft and squishy and as the hound got closer, a yellow light blinded me for a couple seconds,

"It's ok Gracie" I heard a voice just below me, "Just let go, I'll catch you" I looked down and my mum was directly below me. I let go immediately and fell into her arms and I hugged her close, "Hey, it's alright. I have you" She smiled warmly at me, "I'll always catch you" I shook my head and tucked my head under her chin. She sat down on the grass with me, "What's the matter honey, you're acting strange"