When Darkness Comes: Book 1 Dark Trilogy

Chapter 7 Nightmares are Nothing New

Sang

“Listen baby, it was just a nightmare. You're safe.”

North's gruff voice breaks through the sounds of my sobs. I sniff and wipe at my face. “I'm sorry. It was so real and they said they got rid of you....”

“Who got rid of me?” his fingers clench tighter into my shoulders.

I sit up, North releasing me, and I notice Nathan, Silas and Luke are behind him.

I shake my head, embarrassed now. “It was nothing.”

“It obviously was something to upset you like that,” Silas insists, sitting on the edge of the bed. They all take spots around the bed and sit. Waiting.

I shrug. “The men at the store.....I dreamed they came here. He said they took care of all of you and no one would help me this time. Then he.....” I don't bother with the details.

“Dammit,” Nathan runs his hand through his hair. I realize I can see them so well because he has a lantern in his other hand. “We shouldn't have left you alone.”

I shake my head again. “It's fine. I often have nightmares. It's nothing new.”

North narrows his dark eyes at me. “It may be common but it's not normal. Why do you have so many?”

I give a half smile, “You know a psychiatrist?”

He frowns.

“It probably has to do with my family life, but they're long gone now.”

“They were abusive.” Nathan states.

I nod and stare at the folds in the comforter.

“Was it your father?” North's fingers dig into it.

“No. He never loved me, but her never touched me.” His fingers loosen. “It was my stepmother.....she would come up with unique punishments and wouldn't let me leave the house except for school.”

“I imagine that would induce nightmares.” Luke's chocolaty eyes look sadly at me.

Silas takes my hand. It's so huge compared to mine. So powerful. “You're with us now Sang, as long as you want to be, and we'll protect you.”

I work up the courage to give his a gentle squeeze. “Thank you.”

“We'll all bunk in here with you. There's still several hours until daybreak.” Nathan sets the lantern on the side table and leaves the room. Luke follows him. North and Silas sit with me and wait.

They come back with the pillows and blankets they were sleeping on in there. They set up camp once more on the floor of the bedroom. I feel bad taking up the big bed but know there's no point in arguing. Nathan turns down the lantern and the room is lit with moonlight. I listen to them move and shift on the floor. I'm curled up into a tight ball, anxious. I never would have thought this was where I'd be spending my night when I woke up this morning.

It's eerily quiet outside. I wonder how other people are doing. I'm sure many aren't as fortunate. The people in the planes.....

I say a silent prayer for their families. I'm not religious or anything, but I figure it can't hurt.

I begin to settle in once more and listen to the rhythm of their breathing. At least one of them is out. Maybe two. I feel like someone is staring up at the bed, but I know it's my imagination.

A gunshot breaks the silence. My body jolts and I clutch the pillow, my heart pounding. Did someone just get shot? Were they breaking in a house? Or did someone bad hurt someone good?

The bed dips and creaks as someone gets in it. Strong arms wrap around me and I stiffen as I'm pulled to the middle of the bed, my back now pressed to a hard chest.

From the floor I hear North, “We may have to leave sooner than we thought.”

“I know,” Nathan replies, his arms holding me securely.