Never Again (AmeCan Book 2) [Under Editing]

chapter 1: cycle that starts again (edited)

Alfred's pov

I awoke with a start, a cold sweat chilled me down to the bone, I frantically looked to my side and took a shaky sigh when I saw my Matthew sleeping soundly beside me, I turned to my side and carefully brought him into my arms. I could still hear the echo of the unfamiliar screaming.

He stirred awake and brought his tired eyes to my own. "Hey Mattie." I wearily smiled. "Alfred? Are you okay?" he asked groggily, I held him close to my chest and kissed the top of his head. "I am now." I stated with a somewhat happy tone. "You're sweating." He stated worriedly.

I ignored his statement and closed my eyes. "I'm fine, just a bad dream." I mumbled tiredly and gave him a squeeze, he gave a small grunt and lied his head against my chest. "I'll protect you okay?" he yawned. "It's my turn to save you." He mumbled as sleep once again took over him. I smiled at his sleeping face. "You're silly Mattie." I opened my eyes and mumbled, moving some hair away from his face. "I'm the hero here. I'm the only one who can protect you and myself." I yawned and felt my eyelids droop as if lead were being weighed down on them.

With Matthew's warmth spreading onto my chilled skin I brought the blanket up to our chins and allowed sleep to envelop me in its arms, but my horrible dreams began once more. It was a horrible cycle that started again.

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I stared blankly at the plate of pancakes in front of me, my hands rested on my lap, the fork beside the full plate was left untouched. Each time I drifted off I forced myself to stay awake as Matthew's quiet hums reach my ears, his voice soft and angelic calmed me a bit. Shaking my head and grabbing my fork I dug into my breakfast happy that I knew Matthew was here with me.

After a while his humming suddenly stopped and was replaced by a small gasp, I quickly dropped my fork and stood from my seat whipping my head to face him. He was leaning against the counter clutching his hand. "Mattie what happened!?" I rushed to his side frantically, and I didn't know why but I panicked at the sight of his blood dripping from the palm of his hand.

I quickly but carefully took a hold of his hand and lead him over to the sink where I turned on the cool water and brought his hand under the stream. "Alfred I'm okay really." He stated. "It'll heal in no time since we're countries and all." A long gash ran across the palm of his hand. "I..I know I just.." I stammered, unable to find the correct words, did I even have a reason as to why I overreacted a bit?

I took a shaky sigh and turned off the sink when the bleeding stopped a little, I staggered back and gripped onto the corner of the counter. "Alfred.." Matthew grasped onto my arm and looked at me with wide worry filled eyes. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" he asked worriedly. "I'm fine." I reassured and straightened my posture. "Just got a little light headed." I smiled at him, a forced smile.

He still had an unsure look on his face but nodded ever so slightly. "Okay.." he mumbled and took a shaky breath, I instantly felt guilty. I had made him worry over me, he was pale white and shaken, but I had worried over him too, and maybe I overreacted a bit too much. I quickly pulled myself together. "I'm a hero so I'll be okay for sure, don't worry about me." I patted his shoulder. "Let's finish up our breakfast okay? Your pancakes are totally awesome it'd be a tragedy if they went to waste." I sat back down at the table, Matthew sat beside me with his own plate of pancakes.

I finished the rest of mine and then waited for him to finish eating, once he did I volunteered to wash the dishes. Today we were requested to go to a world meeting, or was it a G8 meeting? Either way I still had to go because I obviously had the best ideas ever, I mean there'd totally be no meetings without me. I dashed to mine and Matthew's room, Matthew moved in with me a couple of months after the...'beach incident'.