Waiting; A Traite Story

Chapter 4

Travis POV

I lay in my bed, staring at the bunk above me. 

I can't sleep, Katie just keeps appearing in my mind. Her tan skin, and perfect freckles. Her emerald eyes, her soft lips, and smooth brown hair. 

She wore my flower to breakfast today. That's gotta mean something, right? 

I sigh in confusion and try to get her out of my mind, when I hear a scream. 

I sit up. I know that scream. It's her. But somethings off. It's not her normal scream of surprise, it's a scream of pain and fear. 

I immediately get up and run to her cabin. I knock on the door with panic. Miranda opens the door, her hair is in a messy bun and she looks exhausted. "Travis. Oh thank the gods." she says letting me in. "I've gotten most of the campers back to sleep, but Katie has lost it." Miranda explains. "She's through there, just, do what you have to do, I'm going back to bed." 

"You aren't going to help?" I ask. "I've been trying, but it's not my name she keeps saying." she says. "She's saying my name?" I ask. Miranda simply gestures to the door where Katie is and crawls into bed. 

I open the door to Katie's room and shut it quietly. I turn around to see Katie curled in a ball on her bed, her body shaking with heartbreaking sobs. 

"Katie?" I say quietly, trying not to scare her. Katie sit up, wiping her eyes, and locks eyes with me. She jumps up and tackles me in a hug. I freeze in surprise before wrapping my arms around her. Her tears don't stop, and soon my shirt is soaked. 

"I'm sorry" Katie says quietly, between sniffles. I pick her up bridal style, and I sit on her bed, bringing her in my lap. Katie hugs my neck, and doesn't let go, even when we sit down. 

"Don't apologize Katie, you did nothing wrong." I say softly. A single tear drops onto my shoulder, and my heart breaks a little more. "Do you wanna tell me what happened?" I ask her. Katie simply nuzzles her face into my neck. My heart skips a beat. We sit in silence for a moment before Katie speaks up. 

"It was during the Titan War. We were fighting, and a gorgon killed you, because I called your name. I distracted you. It was all my fault that you died. And I couldn't even help you." her voice breaks at the last part and I put my arms around her waist pulling her closer to me. 

Her hands find their way back to my neck and hug me closer, her head never leaves the crook in my neck. 

"I'm here. It's okay, Katie." I whisper to her. Her emerald eyes meet mine, and she lifts her head. "Will you stay here with me tonight?" she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "Of course." I say.

She crawls back to her place in bed, and I join her. She turns to face me, and I wrap my arms around her waist protectively. She snuggles close to me, resting her face on my chest. Her leg wraps around mine, and I hope she doesn't notice how fast my heart is beating. I kiss the top of her head and whisper, "Goodnight my Katie-Kat."