A New Life

2: New Nightmares

Flames. Flames all around me. The heat penetrating my clothes. Sinking beneath my skin, burning me. It hurt so badly. The burning yellow-orange flames licking up the walls, dancing on the floor, caressing my skin. I was screaming. I screamed and screamed and screamed. The flames were burning me. Eating my hair; my hair colour matching the flames around me. I looked around desperately; nobody was there. Suddenly Fin. In the doorway and then Nick and Oliver came and took him away. He followed, smiling. I started sobbing, crying, the tears streamed down my face and I screamed his name, but he didn't turn around. I sank into the flames. The flames licking at my flesh, dancing with my hair. Everything went black and I screamed again.

I shot up screaming. I looked around hastily. I was in a room. No flames. No danger. Suddenly the door burst open. Fin. He looked so worried. He ran up to my bed and immediately engulfed me in a warm hug. His arms wrapped around me and I broke down again. Fresh tears streamed down my face and soaked his shirt. I tried to breathe but the tears blocked my throat. I gasped and started hyperventilating. No air. No air. No air! Fin let go of me and hurried over to the windows and opened all of them. The cool night's breeze swept through the room and cooled me down immediately. I still couldn't breathe properly but it was easier. The door opened again, when Fin had sat back down on the bed with me. Nick and Oliver burst in. I looked up at them and immediately hid my face away against my brother's chest. I didn't want them to see me.

"What happened?" Nick's deep voice was laced with concern.

"She- she was in the house, when-" Fin took a deep breath. "She was in the house with our parents when they burned to death. The firefighters were able to get her out, but..." his voice trailed off and I heard someone stepping up to me. A hand lay down on my shoulder. I flinched and looked up, it was Oliver. Wordlessly, he reached for my hand and pulled me up and forward into a hug, I followed hesitantly not wanting him to hurt me if I disobeyed.

"You know," he whispered so only I could hear him. "I was an orphan too. My biological family had money problems and my dad decided a family suicide would be the best way out." My breath hitched; what? "He drove off a bridge, with his whole family in the car." He continued. "I was the only one that survived." I pulled away a bit and stared at him. He smiled down at me. "Then I was adopted by two of the most loving and caring guys on this planet. Rick and Devin. Pretty much like you. I was rescued by a couple and they gave me everything I needed, everything I wanted and I loved them for it. I only ever felt completely safe around Rick and we used to fall asleep together all the time when I was younger." I noticed that Fin and Nick had left the room. Oliver motioned for me to sit down on the bed. " I really hope we can do the same for you. Fin explained to us that you were badly treated at the orphanage." I nodded. Memories flooding back to me. The 'sister' beating me because I had defended one of the younger girls, 'Matron' not giving me painkillers for the severe burn on my arm. I lifted a hand in front of my mouth to stop a sob coming out, but it was useless. A single tear escaped me and rolled down my cheek. Oliver reached up and wiped it away. I looked up at him, I couldn't figure him out.

"If you have any troubles, any at all. Come talk to me. Or Nick. We'll try our best to help you, okay?"

"Aye." I croaked, my voice thick with tears. "Thank you so much. " I smiled at him and reached to hug him carefully. He hugged me back and gave me a kiss on the top of my head. I smiled into his shoulder and felt at ease for the first time in a long time.

"Can Fin come in again?"

"Of course, darling. I'll get him for you." He smiled at me again before he stood up and opened the door. A few seconds later Fin stepped in. he came across the room and engulfed me in another hug.

"Are you ok, Issi?"

"Aye. I just- och, you know what happened." I looked at his face. For twins we looked as different as night and day, except for our eyes, which were the same mix of green and blue, and our skin had the same pale complexion. Our faces also had a similar bone structure, so you could at least see we were related. Meanwhile, he had inherited our father's dark brown hair, while my hair was straight and blonde like our mum's. He was sporty and sciency while I was more artistic and good with languages. He couldn't act to save his life whereas I could probably fool my own brother into thinking we weren't related anymore. One thing we definitely had in common was our protective streak. We could behave very defensively and protective when need be.

"D'you want me to stay with you?"

"Please." I smiled up at him and we slipped under the duvet. He was lying behind me and spooned me.

"Isla. How was your talk with dad-erm Oliver?" I grinned at his correction. It gave me hope that he was calling them dad. It gave me the feeling that it was easy to trust them.

"He told me- well. He told me his own story." Fin grunted in response and I knew that he was too tired and already half asleep. I felt a faint smile cross my lips. I had missed him. And with that smile on my lips, I buried my face in Fin's chest and breathed in his scent. He smelt like home; pine trees and my grandma's cooking. I fell asleep. A dreamless sleep, knowing that I could trust Oliver and maybe, just maybe I would learn to call him and Nick dad. I really hoped I would. I wanted to, desperately.