Light Me Up *Sequel- ON HOLD*

Last night I found myself inside the strangest sweetest dream

Lexi's POV:

I brush my dirty blonde hair out of my eyes as I take in a breathe of air. Looking around, I see the parking lot is full this evening, making me smile despite the horrible nightmare I just woke up from. It looks Hunter's got himself a full concert tonight. I begin to walk towards the back entrance of the arena so I can get in backstage, regretting trying to get a nap in.

A shudder runs down my spine as I walk down the ally towards the large, dark green door to lead me inside. My feet crunch against the gravel, but my eyes narrow as I feel like I can hear other footsteps. I let out a deep breathe, shaking my head at my stupidity. I had another nightmare, so of course I'm just being paranoid. He isn't going to get me.

All of a sudden, I feel hands grab my arms tightly.

"You're mine, bitch," an all too familiar voice growls as he pushes me up against the wall of the arena. My eyes search the area for any sign of life, but no one is out as the sky goes dark. They are all inside, getting ready for Hunter's concert.

His big, rough hand grips my chin, & he forces me to look up into his dark, almost black eyes. "You think you could get away from me?" I barely maintain a whimper as Eric presses up against me, & my hurt foot gets tired of the pressure of standing on it. I don't say a word, knowing that anything said could just anger him.

Suddenly, the mood of the atmosphere shifts as he brushes a strand of hair behind my ear. Looking up, my eyes connect to his to see that they have gotten softer during the last moment. They're back to it's original medium shade of brown. "I care about you too much to let you go," he says softly as his finger brushes my cheek. "It always hurt me in high school," he continues, his voice sounding more angry as his finger suddenly claws into my skin. I wince as the pain sinks in. "When you never looked at me the way you looked at him."

"I- I don't know what to say here.." I mumble nervously, not liking the way a vein is popping in his forehead.

"What, you're not going to say that during the time you called me your boyfriend you were in love with Hayes?" I flinch, realizing how truly bad that sounds. All I wanted was to find someone to make me get over him, but it never happened. I feel like that reason won't be enough for him, though.

"I was working on getting over him, but then you had to go off being a douche bag," I say without thinking. He grits his teeth before his hand that was resting on my cheek finds it's way to my neck. I swallow, making him smirk darkly as his fingers wrap around it. Seconds grow into long moments as less & less air enters my lungs because of his tightening grasp. My vision begins to turn white when I hear him whisper one last thing to me, his captivating dark eyes being the last I can see.

"Hope you said goodbye to country boy. He's next."

My upper body pops up out of bed as I pant, my body desperate for air. Mindlessly, my hand goes to wipe the beads of sweat off of my forehead like every night. I'm not surprised to be surrounded by darkness as it's still dead in the night.

However, unlike usual I'm rather restless tonight. Biting my lip, I creep out of the bunk, thankful it's at the bottom. Getting my sense of direction back, I use this skill to make my way to the back so I can go in the studio area. As difficult as this task is in the dark, it's worse when you have a hurt ankle & have to limp to keep pressure off.

What seems like ages later, I finally bump into the door. Feeling accomplished, I feel for the door knob & open it. Hobbling in, I make sure to silently shut the door behind me so I can turn the light on without disturbing anyone.

After doing so, I finally sit down on the couch with a sigh. I wonder if I'll ever be able to sleep again. I lean my back into the couch as I let the fatigue finally overcome me. Maybe I should start taking sleeping pills, that way I have no choice but to have to face the nightmares. That way I can still get my sleep.

Is it worth it though? The nightmares are always so horrible, & rarely ever the same. Yet they still have the same people in them. Every. Single. Time.

My eyes widen as I watch the door open, & in walks Hunter. My heart skips a beat like it always does when I see him, but tonight it skips more seeing his messy bed hair.

Helllooo sexy...

My cheeks tinge at the thought. Without sleep, my thoughts aren't as filtered.

I'm brought back to reality when his concerned eyes meet mine. He settles down beside me, looking too good in his grey sweatshirt.

Focus Lexi.

"What are you doing up this time of the night?" He asks, & it's like his eyes see right through me. See right through my act.

"Couldn't sleep," I say somewhat honestly. I can sleep, but I'm just too afraid of what's to come from it. "How about you?"

"I heard you get up." I frown, guilt instantly filling me.

"I'm sorry I woke you."

"I'm not," he says quickly, & I don't miss the irritation in his voice. "There are bags under your eyes. I have a feeling you havn't been sleeping much for a while now, & I want to know why. & how come you don't come to me." He frowns, & I feel bad from the look of hurt in his eyes. My stomach knots up as I take his hand in mine.

"I never wanted to wake you up for my stupid nightmares. With some of the late shows, it already feels like you don't get enough sleep for yourself," I force a chuckle out, but it sounds fake to my own ears.

"Nightmares? You should have come to me. You don't have to face them alone." His blue eyes go straight into my green ones, & they make me want to open up about everything. About what's in the nightmares, about the Bailey hallucinations I get sometimes that make me feel more insecure than ever. But I don't need to drag him down with me. I need him to be the one to stand strong because I don't know how much longer I'll be standing at all.

"They aren't anything to worry about. I mean, who doesn't get a nightmare every one in a while, eh? We should just go back to bed." When I move to get up, his hand gently grabs onto my wrist to keep me from moving.

"If they aren't anything to worry about, then why aren't you sleeping anymore?" He asks, his voice sounding more solemn then I've ever heard. "What exactly happens in these nightmares, Lexi?"

I don't say anything for a while, just stare into his eyes. They're hard for a while, til they soften & his thumb makes circles on my hand, instantly providing me some comfort. His touch always makes me feel a little better.

"I think your not sleeping had something to do with the mirror incident last week. Am I right?" He takes my silence as a yes, & he nods. "Thought so."

"Hunter," I say, hating how my voice cracks. "What happens if he doesn't go to jail?" Realization runs over his face.

"The nightmares are about him, aren't they?" I nod weakly. He pulls me into his arms, & the right side of my face rests against his firm chest. A sob fights it's way out of my throat, & so he starts to stroke my hair. "You're not alone, Lexi. Don't suffer these things alone, I'm right here. I'm always going to be right here." Tears start to exit my eyes despite my attempts to keep them in.

"They're still working together," I laugh shakily. "I can't sleep because of Eric, so then I start getting crazy & imaging Bailey." Hunter's hold on me tightens, but he still strokes my hair with his free hand. "I just want them to go away, but they won't. He's the action, & she's the words."

"It's ok, baby. The nightmares & imaginations, they aren't real. The real one's wouldn't be stupid enough to try to hurt you again."

"What if they are?" I say quietly. "If they were willing to risk their lives the first time, what's gonna stop them now?" I feel Hunter's heart beating steadily in his chest, but it feels like it stops for a moment at my words.

"Well, they're still working on his case, right? He might not make it."

"Bailey's the one who made the whole plan," I argue. "If she didn't get thrown in jail..." He blows out a breathe, & I feel my breathing stop for a moment when I feel him nod.

"You're right. But I promise I won't let either of them hurt you." It already feels like they are. But I'm ok with it as long as it's not you, Hunter.

Hope you said goodbye to country boy. He's next.