Project: Nighthall

14

The air felt light and warm as I stood in the field. The breeze smelled sweet, like freshly washed clothes and flowers. I let my fingers frag against the tall grass and flowers, the strands tickling my palms.

"It's nice, isn't it?" Mason asked the breeze ruffling his curls.

"It is. I can't remember the last time I felt this calm" I mused. The field look like it went on forever, and I couldn't see anyone either. But I felt at peace here.

I closed my eyes and tilted my head towards the sky.

"Do you remember when we broke into Alberta's office in our freshman year?"

I snorted a laugh. "And stole the bottle of watered down vodka?"

"That was such a disappointment," he laughed and I sigh quietly.

"I wish I felt peace like this all the time. Sometimes it feels like too much," I whispered, running my fingers through my hair.

"Rose?"

I opened my eyes and turned; the sound of Mason's voice so strange. I froze in place as the dream around me changed, the sky darkening and the temperature dropping. It was standing there in front of me, it's red eyes boring into me.

I stepped backwards as it stepped towards me, its hands stretched out for me.

"It's over, Rose. I finally got you," I heard another voice say and my eyes flicked behind the figure. Robert stood a few feet away, looking as crazed as he was in Las Vegas.

"Goodbye, Rose. I hope you enjoy insanity," Robert said as the figure advanced on me. I scrambled back as its hands gripped my shoulders, yanking me off my feet.

"No!"

"Rose, stop fighting me."

I thrashed around in the arms, but the hands gripped me hard and shook me hard.

"Open your eyes!"

I blinked and I was no longer standing in the field, but near the cliffs by the house. Gabriels eyes were bright against the night sky, but I could see the fear.

"Gabe?" I whispered. I could feel my heart hammering in my chest, like the way a hummingbird's wings would flutter. Gabriel set me down on my feet and I felt the cold gravel under my toes. I looked behind me and shook my head. I wasn't just near the cliffs; I was on the edge of it.

I looked back and saw Dimitri standing a foot behind us, holding a piece of clothing while watching me closely. I looked back at Gabe before looking over him at Dimitri.

"Why are you naked?"

"He barely got his pants off before he phased," Dimitri said handing Gabriel his pants. He pulled them on quickly and shook his head.

"You've never slept walked like that before," Gabriel said. I ran my hands through my hair and shook my head. I felt so out of sorts. Dimitri came closer and wrapped his arms around me, and I rested my head against him.

"Robert made the dream seem so innocent," I whispered, the gravity of the situation hitting me.

"You almost stepped off the edge," Gabriel deadpanned and I gripped Dimitri's forearm tightly.

"He was going to make me kill myself without even realizing it."

Dimitri's grip tightened on me and shuddered a breath. While I didn't let go of Dimitri's arm, I reached my other hand out to Gabriel. He took it and squeezed it tightly, holding it like a lifeline.

"I'm not safe when I sleep," I whispered and Gabriel nodded.

"We need to find a way to block him from getting to you. It's getting out of hand," Dimitri said.