Revenge Is Sweet

44 - Heimat

✶𝙶𝚛𝚎𝚢✶

My bed is empty and my throat is dry. I let out heavy and short breaths, sitting upright in my bed with the blankets up to my hips.

For a moment, I just sit here and look around my dark room.

It's raining again. We've been getting a lot of it, just not as heavy as it is now. I glance over my shoulder and towards the window, recognizing the brief flash of light.

Ten seconds later, the booming follows. Thunderstorm.

Goddamnit.

I haven't woken up like this in ages. Not since I brought Sophia home with me, actually. It's been a long time.

I shake my head and sigh quietly as I throw my legs over the edge of the bed, sitting here for an extra minute.

I try scrubbing my hands against my face and to breathe normally, quietly wondering why I'm having nightmares now.

Sophia's nightmares are getting better. She stopped waking up screaming and the only reason I'll go in there is because sometimes I can still hear her whimper. Only sometimes.

The amount of nights where she sleeps with me is going down. She's been getting better sleep. He's not torturing her every night endlessly anymore.

So, why the hell have mine started up again?

Reluctantly, I push myself up off my bed and start shuffling towards my open door. I used to hate sleeping with an open door, but it's become a habit.

Sophia's door is always open too. I'm sure that's not normal for her either, but it's a habit we share now.

Clementine notices my presence immediately. She lifts her head and stares, watching me approach Sophia's bed quietly like a little kid.

Her bed is smaller than mine since it was only ever a guest one. I should probably get her a fuller bed. Or at least ask if she wants one.

I try not to wake her up as I lean down to climb on with her, but that's impossible. She rolls over to face me and squints open her eyes.

"Grey?" She whispers, a hint of alarm in her voice.

"Go back to sleep."

She doesn't listen to me. "Did I have a nightmare?" She whispers, beginning to sit up.

I drop down to lay beside her in the far too narrow bed. "No," I hum quietly and reach up to urge her down towards me. "Go back to sleep." I repeat.

Sophia goes down easier, still tired. "What happened?" She's still wondering why I'm being a creep and climbing in bed with her.

I kiss the top of her head when she rests it on my chest. "Nothing, honey." I dismiss her quietly. "It's still late, so go back to sleep." I try to get her to close her eyes again.

Clementine meows quietly at me when I nudge her by accident. I apologize under my breath which she seems to take as an invitation.

"Clem," Sophia beckons, patting my stomach when Clementine gets up to start stretching. Clementine listens to Sophia happily and climbs up to lay down on my stomach, having already been coming over.