The Opposition

Dreams

(edited)

Alexa eventually reached the gate, punching in the code with trembling hands. As she limped through, her vision began to blur and tunnel.

"Alexa?!" someone yelled, but she passed out before she could see who it was.

✦ ✧

"Alexa, you have to listen to your father. He's only doing what's best for you," her mother spoke calmly, approaching with her arms out as if Alexa might snap if provoked. But she had already done so. Alexa wiped the blood from her nose and cheek.

"Mom, get away from me," Alexa's voice wavered at the end. She extended her arm to protect Natalia, her younger sister. "Anyone but her."

"Lexa, move, darling," her mother said with growing irritation. Alexa heard a grunt and turned to see her father's jaw tick. He was spilling gasoline around the house while her mother spoke.

"I'm done," he huffed, lighting a match and dropping it. The fire quickly caught, and he ran towards Alexa as the flames began to spread.

"Natalia, run! Please!" Alexa screamed as her father swung at her. She tried to push him back, her vision blurring further. The smoke was growing thicker, and her head felt fuzzy. Her father grabbed her by the throat and threw her against the wall. Her head hit the door with a crack, and she crumpled to the ground. She looked up at him as the fire raged around them.

"Please, Dad," she mumbled weakly. He smiled down at her, tipping her chin up with his gun pointed at something behind her. Alexa's eyes widened in panic as she turned her head and saw Natalia frozen in fear.

"No! Dad, she's only eleven, please!" Alexa cried out. Summoning the last of her strength, she leaped to protect Natalia with her body just as the gunshot rang out. She wrapped her arms around her sister, and once the sound of footsteps receded, she looked down to see Natalia's lifeless body, blood staining her own hands. He had missed Alexa and shot Natalia instead. Tears streamed down her face as she tried to apply pressure to the wound.

"Please, Natalia, please, honey, stay alive. For your brother, please!" Alexa sobbed as she held her sister close.

In her anguish, Alexa cursed her father and screamed as the fire encroached upon them.

✦ ✧

Her body jerked awake, and Alexa found herself in the hospital wing. Her eyes flew open, and she sat up quickly, her heart racing and sweat covering her skin. She wrapped her arms around herself, quietly crying into her hands. The nightmare about Aiden's sister had returned—it felt too real. It was her fault.

"You and those nightmares," someone scoffed. Alexa turned her head to see Aiden standing at the door.

"Embarrassing, honestly," he continued.

Her eyes narrowed, and she jumped out of bed, landing on her injured leg. Ignoring the pain, she swung her hand at him, but someone caught it mid-motion.

"Lexa, darling, enough," Enzo said, stepping in beside Aiden. With a sigh, Alexa dropped her arm, and Enzo guided her back to the bed.

"Do you mind if I see your leg?" he asked. Alexa nodded, watching him unwrap the bandage from her leg. Enzo looked tired, his hair damp from training. He winced as he touched the wound.

"Sorry, Lexa, I know it hurts. I'll be more gentle," he said, his focus on the gash. Aiden had already left, much to Alexa's relief.

Enzo slipped on a glove and applied a cold gel to the wound.

"Enzo!" Alexa winced again. He closed his eyes briefly before apologizing once more and continuing his work.

"You ripped the stitches when you ran at Aiden. I need to re-stitch it, and you have to stay off your leg for a week or two. You're lucky," he smiled. Alexa felt like breaking down. Staying off her leg for two weeks was impossible with her responsibilities.