Nefarious

IV

Farren awoke aggravated to boisterous groans coming from behind her. She immediately got out of the fetal position she was in, turning on the light while momentarily forgetting her whereabouts. As it came to her why she wasn't in her luxurious room, but a cozy under-furnished attic instead, she sighed and tried to flatten her wild hair as if she had someone to impress. She was thankful she hadn't worn makeup as part of her disguise, wiping the small hint of drool from her cheek. 

It suddenly became clear to her what the noises were as she spotted Aryan on the bed nearby, clammy and trembling, gripping the sheets with white knuckles. She could see his one eye moving rapidly back and forth under the lid, almost sending a shiver down her spine

"Aryan," She hissed, warily nearing his quivering body. "Shut up."

Her demand had no effect, and he continued to writhe underneath the sheets. 

"You stupid man, I can't sleep with you grumbling like this." Even her normal voice didn't phase him.

She ripped off his covers, a hand flying up to her mouth as she did so. At first his fit torso was what drew her attention, but then something more abnormal caused her to stare in shock. His chest was moving. It was as if a worm was squirming under his skin, slowly weaving in and out of his ribs like a needle and thread. She'd never seen anything like it, and curiosity got the best of her. She reached out, grazing his smooth skin as the slithering thing under it bulged underneath her touch. It was like feeling a flexible moving bone, and an uncomfortable shiver trickled down Farren's spine. What in God's name was it?

Aryan's clammy hand suddenly shot out from his side and aggressively grasped her arm. Her heart lurched as she wretched it free, her magic automatically blasting him backwards into the wall. With a thump he awoke, propping himself on his elbows as he shook his head, clearing his groggy mind as he squinted up at Farren. He ran a hand through his sweaty hair as she stared at him, her face a combination of shock and confusion. 

"What is wrong with you?" She questioned as he stood.

"I get nightmares. It's a thing. I would appreciate it if you merely awoke me next time, as opposed to chucking me against a wall." His deep, sleepy voice and bare chest made Farren feel an odd sensation in her stomach, but her perspective of him didn't falter for a second. 

"What was crawling through your body?" 

"Irritation for you most likely," He grumbled as he stumbled tiredly back into bed, almost instantly falling asleep. 

She narrowed her eyes at his figure on the mattress as she went back to her sofa. Her mind buzzed frantically with thoughts of what was happening to Aryan. She'd been exposed to all kinds of magic, but this she didn't recognize. Was it even magic? Did he know about it? She left the light on as she dozed off, planning on confronting him in the morning, a subtle fear planted in the back of her mind.  

--

Her eyes had to adjust to the light flooding in from the small attic window above her.

"And so the Sleeping Beauty rises," Aryan's narrative voice was not what she wanted to hear first thing in the morning. 

As she sat up an apple flew her way, and she managed to grasp it quickly with one hand, Aryan raising his eyebrows at her - impressed at her fast reflexes in her sleepy state.

"I'm surprised you didn't blow it to pieces," He mumbled, plopping down next to her while taking a bite out of his own apple. He stretched his arm out behind her as she inched defensively away.