Enmeshment

Chapter 10 - The Aftermath

"No! No! Let go off of me! Don't! No! Stop! Stop! Nooooo!"

"Hey hey hey! Hey it's all right. It was just nightmare, it's alright!" Eric woke me up from my sleep. I was sweating and panted uncontrollably. Eric poured a glass of water and I took a big gulp. My body was trembling, shaking, and teeth clenching so hard. "Hey hey! Nobody gonna hurt. Okay? Not when I'm around!" Eric promised me and he pulled me closer to him. I hugged him tightly and his warm body calmed my nerves down. "It's okay..." He whispered. "You should go back to bed. It's still three in the morning."

I laid down back to my bed and tucked myself in under the blanket. Eric got up from the edge of the bed and about to head to the couch. "Wait..." I grabbed his hand. "Uhm... Uh... Sorry..." and then I saw his palm was bruised from punching Jack. "Your hands..." I rubbed his knuckles.

"No big deal!" He then dropped himself at the carpet on the floor that placed beside the left side of the bed and laid his back against the bed frame. "You go back to sleep. I'll stay here!"

I curled myself and moved closer to the edge of the bed. I slowly put my hand on his shoulder and he glanced at me before hold my hand and placed it on his chest. I could feel his beating heart. I held his hand tighter and he turned around to see me. His other hand slowly made his way to my hair and caressing me. We were looking to each other before he moved closer to me and gently planted a kiss. His touch immediately washed away all the anxiety I had tonight. My hand made my way to his neck and slowly pulled him closer to me and I kissed him back. He circled his thumb over my heated cheek and we were staring at each other again. I thought I'd never need anyone more than anything before. I need him. I need Eric.

* * *

I curled myself under the blanket that I covered it up to my nose when I heard birds chirping outside the window. I took along breath and sighed when I felt someone was caressing me from behind. I slowly rolled around to see Eric was sitting at the edge of the bed and a half smile was covered his face.

"Good morning," he said.

"Morning," I replied with a smile as I got up and now hugged my own legs.

"How's your feeling today?" he asked and I just shrugged not sure what to say to him. I felt scared, tired, betrayed, and everything because I couldn't believe what Jack did to me last night. If Eric wasn't there I couldn't imagine what will happen to me.

"You hungry?" He took my hand and strokes my upper hand with his thumb.

"Uhm... Not really..." But then small growled coming from my stomach and making me blush in embarrassment. Eric chuckled a little and he stood up. "Come, let's get you something to eat!" He offered me his hand and I grabbed him as I got up from bed following him to the center of his apartment. There was a small dining table with two plates full of food. I took a seat as Eric took another one in front of me.

"You made this?" There were omelets, bacon and sausages, toast, and a cup of milk tea that I would be very surprised if Eric did cook all of this.

"What? You think I don't cook!?" He raised one of his eyebrows.

"You did!?"

"Nah! I told the kitchen crew to bring some food here," he smirked and it made me chuckle for tricking me.

Eric finished his breakfast in an instant while I just ate half of my meal. I played around with my food because I didn't feel like to eat while the memory from last night still coming into my head.

"Hey..." Eric held my hand that placed freely on the table. "What's on your mind?" He concerned.

I sighed, "I uh..." My mind was full of thought about myself back in the same room, or worse stay in the same dorm with Jack after what happened. I didn't think I could do that anymore. I didn't know if I should report this to Max or no. Jack was one of Dauntless top initiates, I was afraid that I'd be the one who got the blame and then end up throwing out from the compound.