Gone Mental

Chapter 10 : Evaluations

Chapter 10    

Later...

Ericka POV

Riker had made it through the day. He seemed a little more relaxed now. But every little noise scared him. A lot.

"Riker, can we talk for a minute?" I asked.

"Yes..."

"What do you think got you all scared today?"

"My therapist person made me tell her everything that happened at jail. And it scared me because it was like I was reliving it all. I hate it! I just feel like I want to cry!"

"Hey. It's ok to feel like that. You've gone through a lot."

"I hate crying, but I seem to do it so much!"

I pulled him into a hug. I could tell by his breathing that he was crying now.

"This is just one of your bad days, Riker. Life won't always be this way. It gets better."

He hugged me even tighter.

"Riker, I promise. It gets better. And I'm here for you."

"I just want to get better already..."

"I know. You'll get there eventually. Hey, it's getting late. How about we go to sleep and get this day over with?"

"Ok. Will you walk me to my bed?"

"Sure."

I walked across the room with Riker. He got in his bed, and curled up. I pulled the blankets over him. And then I got into my own bed.

"Night, Riker."

"Goodnight..."

Middle of the night...

Riker POV

"E-E-Ericka!"

I was hiding under my blankets, shaking.

"E-Ericka!"

"What? What's going on?"

"S-scared!"

The blankets were pulled off of me and I screamed.

"It's ok. It's just me. What's wrong?"

"N-nightmares..."

Ericka slid into bed next to me.

"It's ok. It's not real."

"T-they were c-coming for m-me."

"They're not, Riker. I promise, they're not."

Ericka wrapped her arms around me.

"Aw, you're shaking!"

"I'm scared!"

"Just go back to sleep, ok? Just try."

"Please don't leave me."

"I won't leave until I'm sure you're asleep, ok?"

"Promise?"

"I promise, Riker."

"Ok..."

I curled up next to Ericka.

"Are you mad I woke you up?" I whispered.

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, Riker. Just go to sleep, ok?"