Echoes of Wonderland

Rivers and Roads

Chloe's POV

The soft whimpers pull me from my sleep. At first, I think I'm imagining it, but when I sit up, my gaze lands on Red. She's tossing and turning, her face drawn tight with discomfort, lips quivering in a way that breaks my heart.

It's quiet, except for her restless sounds. And then I see it—a single tear sliding down her temple, cutting a path across her skin. I freeze, watching her with this sinking feeling in my chest. She's hurting.

I glance at her jaw, catching sight of a fresh scar, still pink, a recent wound. I feel a knot form in my stomach. How many times has she been hurt like this when I wasn't there to protect her?

Red whimpers again, eyes moving beneath her lids. She's trapped in some nightmare, and I can't stand seeing her suffer like this. I have to wake her. I have to help her.

I reach out, gently cupping her face with my hand.

- Red, Red. Wake up. - I whisper, keeping my voice soft.

Her eyes shoot open, wild and full of fear. Before I can react, her hand clamps down on my wrist with so much force that I wince. The grip is tight, desperate, like she's fighting something even after she's awake.

For a second, my heart stutters. But then I see the realization wash over her, and she lets go of me, panic flickering in her eyes as she pulls away, putting distance between us like she's afraid she might hurt me again.

- Chloe, I... I'm sorry. Did I hurt you? - She stammers, her voice so small, so vulnerable.

It breaks my heart all over again, seeing her like this. She thinks she hurt me, but it's not her hand I'm worried about. It's what's going on inside her, the pain she's been carrying all this time.

- Hey, no. You didn't. - I say, offering her a reassuring smile. - Barely even felt it. You were having a nightmare. Are you okay?

She doesn't answer right away. Her eyes flicker to the fire, then back to me, like she's trying to ground herself, to come back from whatever nightmare had its grip on her. She looks so shaken, so lost, and I don't know how to reach her.

- Yeah, yes. I'm okay. Sorry I woke you. - Red mutters, her voice still shaky.

I watch her for a moment, searching her face for something more, something real, but all I see is the mask she's trying to put back on. She always does this—pretends like nothing's wrong, like she's fine, when I can see how much she's struggling. It's like she's afraid to let herself feel, afraid to let me in.

I shake my head, leaning a little closer, though I don't touch her. I don't want to push her away again.

- You don't have to apologize. - I say softly, my voice as gentle as I can make it. - If you're not okay... you don't have to pretend for me.

Red glances at me, then quickly looks away, staring into the flickering flames. I can tell she's trying to hold herself together, but there's a crack in her armor, and I don't know how long she can keep it up.

I take a deep breath, knowing I have to be careful with her, but wanting so badly to close this distance.

- Is it okay if I get a little closer? - I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.

Red hesitates. Her eyes flicker between me and the fire, the conflict written all over her face. I can see the wall she's built up so high, and I wonder if I'll ever be able to break it down.

But then, almost reluctantly, she nods.

- Yeah. - She says quietly, barely audible.

I scoot a little closer, moving slowly, not wanting to startle her. Gently, I pull my arm behind her head, and to my surprise, Red leans into my touch, using it as a pillow. It's small, but it's enough for now—her finally letting herself give in, even if it's just a little.