Chasing Rainbows (COMPLETED)(Gay/Lesbian/Transgender)

Chapter nine Tripp's POV

I'm running. Running so far away. Beads of sweat cascade over my body as I sprint further, trying as hard as I can to get away from it. To get away from them.

My heart is pounding like a giant bass drum, and I'm trying to not pass out. They're good at hurting me, but if I run quickly enough then they won't find me.

The grass beneath my feet only pushes me on and I can hear my jagged breaths. I also hear them closing in on me.

The next thing I know, I'm pinned to the ground staring into the cold, dark eyes that I thought I'd never be seeing again.

"Tripp."

Silence.

"Tripp!"

My eyes pop open and I catch my breath as cady wakes me up. I realize that I'm drenched in sweat and I pull Cady in for a hug, needing her there with me.

Anna is softly snoring on the other side. Cady has been staying in here with us now.

"Tripp, are you alright?" She asks, clearly worried. That's a good question...I mean am I? Am I really? Of course I am. I have Anna and Cady.

"Yeah- yes I'm fine. Just a bad dream..." I say and silently and think, thank goodness it was only a dream.

"Do you need me to sleep over here with you, or can you manage?" She asks kindly and rubs my back for reassurance.

"I'm fine Cady, go back and cuddle with Anna. I know how much you want to." I say and she nods, then walks back to her spot in the bed, careful not to wake Anna.

I roll back in my bed and can't force my eyes to go back to sleep so I simply stare out into the darkness, hoping the haunting images will leave my mind. But I know that they won't.

...

The next morning, Anna and Cady aren't in the room and I take the opportunity to change quickly into my clothes. I must have been able to fall asleep last night, but thankfully I didn't have any other dreams that night.

Anna walks in with coffee and a muffin for me that she must have smuggled. I missed breakfast.

"Morning, sleeping beauty." She said jokingly and I eagerly took the muffin and coffee.

"Hey morning..." I say and smile to myself, grateful that I have such great friends.

"Where is Cady? And why'd you guys let me sleep in?" I asked a little confused.

"Well Cady is talking to her mom- it's our day off so no activities- and I don't know Cady insisted on letting you sleep in..."

Cady mustn't have told Anna about last night. It's probably for the best. I don't want either of them to worry about me, let alone both of them. Especially since what happened with Anna's sister- though she is fine just like a broken ankle or leg or something, I don't even know.

I grabbed my notepad and wrote down all of what happened in my dreams. I have a dream journal and then my real journal- I kind of want to be involved in journalism when I get a little older. I love to write. Sometimes, I just can't express my words out loud. I have to write them down so that the people can feel the full impact of my words. Plus, writing calms me. It's the best form of therapy I've ever had. And trust me, I've had a lot.

But that's a story for another time...