Stay

Chapter 14

Avi’s Point of View

We were on our way back from the movie around 1:00 in the afternoon. Kirstie was leaning on my shoulder and we were just walking.

I thought maybe this could be a good time to bring up her nightmares.

“Hey, can I ask you something?” I asked casually.

“Sure!” she said repositioning her head.

“Can you tell my about your dreams?” I asked bluntly.

I felt her leave my shoulder and saw her look at me.

“Why?” She asked. She had fear in her eyes, making me worry even more.

“You have been waking up thrashing and screaming and it’s been going on for a while now… I’m starting to get worried…”

“It’s nothing! It’s just a nightmare…” She mumbles as she started to walk away.

“Hey!” I called after her. She didn’t turn around, just kept walking.

I jogged up to meet her.

“Why do you want to know?! It’s none of your business!” she claimed, her arms crossed against her chest.

“Not my business?!” I almost screamed. I pulled up my sleeve to show her scratch marks. “And what about these?!” I unbuttoned my shirt to show scabs of where she tore off skin. “This is my business! Whatever you are dreaming about is not just scaring you! It’s scaring me to!” I was using a stern tone with her, I never used to do that…

Her eyes were holding back tears as she looked at the marks she made on me.

“i—I did this?” She whimpered.

I didn’t move, I just looked at her. “Please…” I begged. “What is scaring you so much?” She tried to break eye contact but I just kept following her eyes. “I want to help…”

“I’m sorry, Avi…” she whispered as tears fell down her face. I looked at her confused.

“Wha-What?” I asked.

“I have to go,” she turned and started to run away from me. Leaving me alone.

“Wait! Kirstie!” I called after her, running like I was in a marathon (sorry I had to) “Kirstie!!! Kirstie Wait!!”  Ran after her until I heard a scream and a car horn. Then I felt all life leave me.

“Kir—Kirstie?” I called again. Nothing…. My heart crashed and spilled out of my gaped mouth. “Kirstie?”