Torn

Nightmares of the past

I groan as I open my eyes, staring into the darkness which had settled into the room. Warm orange light shimmers vaguely from outside, enlighting the corners of the pub's bedroom. While I let my eyes adjust to the surrounding darkness, I turn onto my side where mark and Ian are sound asleep next to me. Their expressions relaxed, their arms tucked warmly underneath the bloodstained blanket.

I scoop carefully to the foot end of the bed, slowly without making too many sudden movements. Once I reach the end of the foot end I sigh and crawl off the bed to step into the attached bedroom. My reflection stares back at me, a cold shiver flows over my back because I hardly recognize myself anymore. From my eyes, the sleepless, broken expression is lost, my dull hair seems to have taken on a new lease of life and my canines are much more defined than before. The dream flashes back before my eyes, how I attacked Rosie, how my fangs pierced her arm. but what lingers on my mind is the frightened, puzzled look in Rosie's eyes. That her friend, whom she trusted with her life, suddenly turned into a predator.

I sniff and shake my head, and thoughts fade. "We... we had to." whispers a familiar voice from behind me. I look up and in the mirror, I see Ian's shape. I turn and stare for a moment. "They... they want to test you. We have to be careful," he adds.I raise my eyebrow. 'Sorry? What do you mean?' I ask insultingly.'Don't get me wrong, Sky, you know we trust you, but the others. You heard Emalda, didn't you?" Ian says.

I stare at Ian for a moment before nodding.'I knew you were listening, Sky, but she didn't. She probably doesn't know that Mark was able to listen in because of me." Ian explains.

'Mark told me that should be kept a secret, in case of an emergency,' I answer. Ian nods as he slowly approaches me. "But, That's not all I can do, sky. As a love demo–' Ian says before I interrupt him."Angel, you're not a bad creature."I sigh and bury my face in his chest.


 "Same nightmare?" asked Ian. I sigh again. "Even though Rosie doesn't remember...it's still etched in my mind.Ian strokes my back and leans his head on mine. "I know, honey, I know. Sometimes it's better to look ahead and leave the past far, far behind.' sighs Ian. There is a moment of silence, he plants a kiss on my forehead and leads me back to the bed.

"I wouldn't know what to do without you," I say as I crawl into bed next to Mark's sleeping figure.Ian crawls behind me, he spoons me.'I wouldn't know either. Luckily I have the shagging shed, you, and of course Mark. He is not the high priest for nothing, he has already helped many wandering creatures out of... well, the figurative fire.' explains Ian. 'Don't use that word around him, he might get nightmares.' I chuckle as I crawl into Mark's arms, Ian inches closer and rests his arm around me."Hopefully, one day, we can do him a favor too," I murmur before I fall asleep again.