runaway train [corpse]

the nightmare.

my head was spinning.
i was seeing stars.

"oh, my God," i breathed, letting my head fall back onto Corpse's chest. did that really just happen?

"are you okay?" he asked with his arms wrapped around me. his chest was still heaving, just like mine.

"i am very okay," i replied. "you'd think i'd never been touched before, but i have. it's just... no one has ever made me feel like that before. like, i cant see straight right now."

he chuckled lightly, and said, "i dont know what to say. i just wanted to make you feel good."

i put my hands over his, saying, "you did exactly that."

we both chuckled, and continued talking as casually as ever, while he held me close. it wasn't like we were pretending nothing happened, but it didn't really feel like the right time to talk about things.

after a bit, he said, "also, i meant to say something earlier, but i was hoping you would stay over."

"i would love to, i just didn't want to assume you were okay with that."

"your invitation goes without saying." he kissed me on the cheek, and slid his mask back over his face.

suddenly i heard my phone vibrating on the kitchen counter, followed by a loud clatter as it fell onto the floor. we both jumped off the couch.

"ah shit," i said, leaning over to pick it up. there was a small new scratch on the screen. then i saw the 7 missed calls from Amy, and exclaimed, "oh shit."
i immediately started to call her. Corpse moved into the kitchen, pouring us two glasses of water.

"Cara? are you okay?" Amy sounded a little frantic when she picked up.

"hi, yes, i am okay," i spoke as quickly and calmly as i could. "sorry, i know i haven't checked in with you for a bit. i'm good."

"thank God," she said, releasing a breath. "where you at? are you gonna be gone all night?"

i quickly thought of what to tell her. "um, yes, i am actually with some family right now. time got away from me and it's too late for me to drive out now. remember my uncle Frank who lives in San Diego with his wife?"

she did remember my uncle Frank, and the story seemed to satisfy her. Amy wasn't always the one to get super anxious if i wasn't answering the phone, but i guess after the train incident she was still worried about me. i felt a pang of guilt for lying to her about who i was with, but i resolved that it was more important to protect Corpse.

he slid the glass of water to me while Amy continued talking for a few more minutes, and i smiled at him. Amy was in and out of asking me questions and also telling me about what was going on at the community kitchen.

Corpse took a sip from his glass when he was turned away from me, and once he faced me again i mouthed an "i'm sorry" to him while pointing to my phone. he leaned toward me and placed a masked kiss on my forehead.

then he disappeared into his room. i eventually heard the shower start running.

"is that the shower?" Amy asked.

"it is, i am gonna take a quick shower before i get into bed."

"oh, okay. well, sorry to sound all freaked out. i really missed you today."

i told her i missed her too, and we wrapped up our goodbyes and good nights. i sighed, finished the rest of my glass of water, and then placed it in the sink.

unsure of what to do next, i opted to go back to the couch and make up a bed for myself. i found some extra sheets in the hotel closet as well as an extra pillow, and by the time the shower had shut off again, i had myself a pretty sweet little set-up. i grabbed my phone charger from my purse, plugged my phone in, and settled into the couch, with my poetry book. after a minute or two, i started blushing, realizing i would forever think of Corpse every time i picked up the book. maybe i wouldn't tell Carrie about that.