Eternal Echoes ✔

Chapter 14: Shared Dreams, Shared Burdens

As they settled into their shared room, Rachel couldn't help but feel grateful for Michael's friendship. However, as she looked around the cozy guest room, her heart sank. There was only one bed.

"I... uh, I think there's been a mistake," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "There's only one bed."

Michael's expression mirrored her concern as he glanced around the room. "Yeah, it seems that way," he replied, his voice equally quiet.

Micheal clears his throat to To break the silence. "You can sleep in the bed, I'll take the floor." He said already picking a pillow and blanket of the bed.

Rachel hesitated, feeling a pang of guilt at the thought of making Michael sleep on the floor. "No, Michael, you take the bed," she insisted, her voice filled with concern. "You've been hurt. I'll be fine on the floor."

Michael shook his head, his expression firm. "No, Rachel, I can't let you do that," he replied, his voice gentle but resolute. "You get cold easily. I'll be fine on the floor."

Rachel opened her mouth to argue, but she could see the determination in Michael's eyes. With a reluctant nod, she acquiesced.

Rachel glanced around the room, feeling a bit uncertain about the situation. The idea of sharing the bed with Michael made her feel uneasy, but she also didn't want him to sleep on the floor, especially given his injury.

After a moment of hesitation, she turned to Michael, her expression conflicted. "Michael, I... I think we should share the bed," she said, her voice tentative.

Michael looked surprised by her suggestion, but he nodded in agreement. "If you're sure," he replied, his tone uncertain.

Rachel nodded, feeling a bit relieved that they had reached a compromise. "Yeah, I think it's the best option for both of us," she said, trying to sound confident.

With a sense of awkwardness hanging in the air, they both climbed into the bed, keeping a respectful distance from each other. The bed was small, and they were forced to lie close together, their bodies barely touching.

As they settled beneath the covers, Rachel couldn't help but feel a mixture of discomfort and relief. Sharing the bed with Michael was strange, but it also provided a sense of warmth and companionship in the midst of uncertainty.

As they settled into the bed, Rachel couldn't shake off the awkwardness of the situation. She lay on one side, leaving a respectable distance between her and Michael.

Michael, sensing her discomfort, tried to make light of the situation. "Well, this is cozy," he said with a weak smile, trying to ease the tension.

Rachel managed a small smile in return. "Yeah, cozy," she echoed, her voice tinged with nervousness.

They lay in silence for a few moments, the only sound in the room the crackling of the fire in the hearth. Rachel's mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, and she couldn't seem to quiet her racing thoughts.

"Michael?" she said softly, breaking the silence.

"Yeah?" he replied, looking at the ceiling.

Rachel's voice was gentle as she broke the silence. "Michael," she began softly, "it's not your fault."

Michael turned to look at her, surprise evident in his eyes. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Rachel hesitated for a moment, her heart aching for her friend. "What happened with Sarah." she said, knowing that Michael was secretly blaming himself for her death.

Michael's expression grew solemn as he recounted the events that had led to their separation. "We were running from that... that creature," he began, his voice trembling slightly. "And I... I couldn't keep up. She told me to go on without her, but..."