Sanitorium (Roman Reigns Story)

Chapter 29: Warmth

"Everything isn't always as it seems."

"I'm not afraid." I whisper, the wind blowing carelessly through my hair in this field of green.

"You do not have to be afraid. You have to be aware." the disembodied voice calls through the trees.

"I'm keeping them at arms length. They think they're controlling us. They're not." I reply, walking closer to a storm cloud that is approaching overhead.

"There is no 'us'."

The sky turns black and I freeze, hearing the rumbling of the thunder above and feeling the vibrations under my feet. The earth splits beneath me and I fall, but not before hanging onto the side of the separated ground. My fingers strain to grip the soil, the rest of my body just hanging, slowly slipping towards the abyss that hovers below. The thunder becomes more intense, deafening me as I'm struggling to hold on.

"Let go." the voice calls once again.

"No!" I yell, closing my eyes and digging my fingers into the earth.

The wind settles and when I open my eyes Roman has surfaced amongst the black sky.

"Roman!" I yell, smiling with newfound hope.

His eyes are cold, distant. He looks as if he is looking past me. He takes a step forward, his foot placed right near my throbbing hand. He raises his leg as if he is about to kick me off into the abyss, but instead he steps over the edge, falling into the darkness that lies below, his hand extended to me. I look from Roman back to the storm overhead and I finally let go.

I begin to wake up slowly. My heart is pounding from the intensity of the dream, but compared to my usual night terrors, this wasn't so bad. My fingers feel stiff so I straighten them out, detaching them from Roman's torso. I notice small scratches when I dig my nails out of his body. I didn't know I did this to him at night.

I stare at him, his hair taking up most of the pillow, he always sleeps so peacefully. I wish I could, but he does make it easier. Suddenly I remember the last words he spoke to me last night. I'm positive he didn't want me to hear his confession and I really don't want to bring it up. It does make me wonder though... Why?

Roman stirs, pulling me in by my waist, bringing warmth to my whole body. I slide my hand down his arm, feeling his muscles tighten underneath my touch.

"Good morning." he says, opening his eyes slowly.

"Morning." I reply.

He slides his hand behind his head, gripping his wavy hair gently. He slides his eyes up and down the covers, trying to see the outline of my body.

"I haven't cleaned your wounds in a couple of days." I say, finally releasing his arm from my grasp.

He sits up, taking his shirt off and tossing it to the ground.

"I didn't mean right now, but okay." I say, giggling.

I slip out of the bed, smoothing my nightgown down as I go to get the first aid kit. I grab it out of the cabinet, checking to make sure everything is in there before I take it upstairs.

I scale the steps, knowing I need to change the bandage on my arm as well and see if my ribs have improved any. I don't feel much pain anymore so it must be getting better. I enter my room to an unwelcome sight. Better yet, a sight I probably would welcome if I wasn't trying to keep things platonic between Roman and I.

"Why aren't you wearing any pants?" I ask, feeling my heart rate pick up.

"I'm hot. Is this bothering you?" he asks, sitting there looking like a Greek god in his underwear.