Metal Rose

Chapter 13

Mercedes lets out a groan as her mother softly nudges her awake.

"Mercedes. Sweetheart."

Half-asleep, she sits up and hears her phone ringing. She gives her mother a groggy look.

"My phone..."

Her mother nods. 

"It's been going off for five minutes now."

Mercedes's voice remains drowsy as she continues to speak.

"Is it Hunter?"

Her mother chuckles.

"How'd you guess?'

Mercedes reaches for her phone on the side table and sweeps the tangled curls from her face. Her mother looks on, shaking her head.

"You have bedhead."

Mercedes yawns and shrugs. 

"It's fine. Sorry, I didn't hear it. I got it now."

Mercedes clicks to accept the video call, and Hunter responds, feeling somewhat guilty.

"Awe, no... I just knew I was waking you up. I'm so sorry. You look so cute with your sleepy curls, though."

Mercedes's mother leans around the phone for a moment.

"Good morning, Hunter."

Hunter looks shocked.

"Good morning, Miss Holland... You had to wake her up... I'm sorry."

Her mother shakes her head with a smile.

"It's okay. I know you're just checking on her. I'll leave you to it."

As Mercedes's mother exits the room, she pauses in the hallway upon hearing Mercedes reply to Hunter.

"You said I look cute... I look like a wicked witch."

Hunter chuckles and shakes his head.

"You are a very beautiful wicked witch."

Mercedes's mother smiled brightly before walking away. Mercedes rubs the sleep from her eyes. Hunter gushes.

"You are so cute. I'm so sorry for waking you up sleepy girl. Still in my shirt, I see. How did you sleep?"

Mercedes sits up taller and shrugs. 

"I guess I slept okay. I only woke up once, and that wasn't too bad. No nightmares."

Hunter's loving smile showed brightly. 

"That's great. Same with me."

Mercedes slowly nods. 

"Good. I don't know how I didn't have any nightmares, honestly. I feel like I'm on edge. I'm constantly aware of my surroundings and I'm listening to everything. I'm not even sure what I'm listening for."

"Screams and gunshots, sweet strawberry."

Mercedes pauses and Hunter nods.

"I'm doing it too. I want to play music but since you're not here I feel like I'm going to drown out anything I need to hear."

Mercedes looks away sadly.

"I don't want to think about this. It seems to be the only I can think about, though."

Mercedes's eyes meet Hunter's again.

"How do they expect us to return to school on Wednesday next week?"

Hunter gazed at Mercedes, his expression somber as tears brimmed in her eyes.

"Hunter, I don't want to go back. I'm scared to go back."