Escape {L.H}

Chapter 6

I wake up to the sound of footsteps rushing into my room and my own screaming. Tears are streaming down my face and I am panting and hyperventilating.

A night terror. Again.

I used to only get them every so often when I was younger, but now I get them every night. And they are always the same.

"God dammit Luna!" I hear my mother yell as she storms in with my father. He trails a few feet behind her. As per usual. "I am sick of you waking us up in the middle of the night with your screaming!"

"I can't help it... It's not like I want to wake you up..." I am struggling to regain my breath, so my sentences come in short, rushed pants.

"C'mon honey. Let's just go back to bed. Try to get some sleep Lu," my father says calmly. He places an arm around my mother's shoulder and leads her out. He silently closes the door in a manner that was similar to a parent trying not to wake a sleeping infant.

But something about his words struck me as odd. He never calls me Lu. The last time he called me Lu was after my REAL mother's passing. I was crying hysterically for weeks after her death. But whenever I couldn't sleep at night, he would lay with me. He would calm me by whispering, "Shhhh... It's going to be all right, Lu. It will be. I promise."

But would you fucking look at me now. Empty. Addicted. Lonely. Desperate. Numb. Nothing will be all right. Ever.

I turn on the twinkle lights that go around my room, and make my way to my desk. I look at the cork board and reread all the poems Luke has written me. When I ever feel lonely or worthless, I read them. It helps me remember that someone cares about me. I glance at the most recent one. The one I found the morning after we danced at the lake.

'Luna,

My dear I wish
That I could stay,

Dancing with you
As we constantly sway.

But I have to leave,
So please don't forget

How we danced in the night,
A perfect duet.

~Your Robert Frost'

Each poem lifts my heart just a little bit, day by day. I finish reading the rest before crawling back to bed. I try to close my eyes and sleep, but I can't seem to.

I am terrified of my nightmares. They are the same every night, but they haunt me just the same.

It always starts at the lake. But I am running. Running after someone. I don't know why, but I can't stop. My bare feet ache as they hit sharp rocks and pointy twigs. But I don't stop. I reach the clearing and see a boy walking into the water. He is waist deep but doesn't stop. I tread into the water after him.

He is now neck deep in the black lake water. The moon illuminates his body, and I see his blonde hair. I realize who it is, and start screaming. "LUKE! What are you doing? Luke!" Suddenly, the final bit of his hair reaches below the water. I dive in completely, and search for him below the water.

I lose air constantly, and have to resurface. After ten minutes of searching, a figure floats up to the surface. I hurriedly swim to it. I see Luke's damp hair and soggy clothes. "No! Oh Luke no! Please! Oh god... Please!" I drag him to the shore and try to pump life into him. I shake his head and place my ear to his chest.

No heartbeat.

I cry hysterically while I hold him close to me. "Please Luke. Don't leave me. I need you."

Then I wake.

And the moment I wake up,
I constantly realize that
Luke can either save me,

Or absolutely destroy me.

I'm so sorry I haven't updated in forever! I'm always so damn busy. But I hope you know I love you all and thank you so much for reading!
~Delaney xx