Map of Your Head

Chapter 6: Nightmares

Dom's POV

I sit on my bed, watching the rain hit the window and listening to the sound of the thunderstorm. I've always enjoyed storms. There just seems to be something very calming about them. Maybe it's because every single one is simultaneously both the same and different. Or it could simply be the sound; the white noise and low pitch rumbling working together. Coexisting if it were.

I look away from the window and over to Matt who is fast asleep, facing the wall. I smile to myself as I continue to stare at the young man. He looks so perfect. Like there's nothing wrong with him. Like he's just a normal guy.

But normal people don't end up in a place like this. Normal people will finish school with decent grades and go off to university and get good jobs and get married and have kids and be happy.

No one is happy here. We can sure as hell fake it, though. Too bad faking it only got us so far.

I see Matt stir, but he's still fast asleep. He shifts from side to side, muttering in his sleep. He must be having a nightmare. I can only make out a few words like "No" and "Stop". It takes me a moment to realise that this is the first time I've heard him say actual words. And it's terrifying.

After a minute or so, his words turn into shouts and sobs. He's not saying anything that I can make out. I slide out of bed and into Matt's, pulling the crying boy into my arms even though he's started thrashing now.

"Shh you're going to be okay," I whisper to him even though I doubt that he can hear me. "You'll be alright." I run my fingers through his faded blue hair repeatedly until he settles down a little bit. I glance back to the window to the sky is turning a soft shade of grey as morning approaches.

Matt begins to shift then suddenly pushes himself out of my grasp, breathing heavily and moving into the corner his bed is pressed against. I stand up and take a step away, giving him some space. He just stares at me for a moment before wiping his tears away. I can see him open his mouth as if to speak. He tries to say something, but he just starts stuttering over a few certain letters. He closes his mouth and pulls his knees up to his chest, burying his face in them. His body is racked with sobs but I just stand there, not sure what to do.

Matt calms himself down after a moment and stands up. Without warning, he wraps his arms around my waist and I do the same. He pulls me over slightly and we sit down on his bed without breaking our embrace. We sit there in silence, just holding each other as the sun begins to rise. He lets go and picks up him notebook and pen, scribbling a quick message which I strain to read in the early morning light.

Thank you.

Before I have a chance to respond, his lip meet my cheek and he slides his arms around me once more.