Air Kingdom

Chapter 50-Awake

I floated between the dream world and reality, not knowing where to go. When I was awake, I knew there would be people asking me what happened and demanding answers. Whenever I did regain consciousness, I faked sleep until I began dreaming again. Sometimes I had to lay in bed for hours, listening to people talk to each other, waiting for me to wake up. No matter how close I came to cracking, I stayed quiet and kept my little act running. I was too scared myself to face the truth, to know who I truly was.

My dreams-or rather nightmares weren't any better. I never saw Phineas or Zoey again nor did I get hurt again, but my dreams haunted me. Instead of physical pain, it was all mental, leaving me gasping and panting when I woke. That happened one time when people were inside the same room as I was.

Seiro, the only other person in the room instantly dropped his book and went to my side. I couldn't see it happen, but I heard the thump of a book landing on the ground. The sight of Seiro's mask nearly gave me a heart attack.

My arms went into a defensive position, ready to receive a blow from the "monster" in front of me. I tried to scream for help, but my throat was too sore and raw. I squeezed my eyes shut, waiting for the blow but it never came.

Instead of a sharp kick or a deadly punch, I got a gentle pat on the head. I nearly pulled away, but I soon recognized the touch and relaxed. My panic and fear slowly faded as Seiro kept petting me. It was almost like six years ago.

I woke up shaking so much I fell out of bed. I landed face-first, the small pain distracting me from my nightmare. Once I managed to collect myself, I started crying and trembling. Back then, my nightmares had recently started and I had no idea why.

I was too distracted to notice the little boy who slept in a room across from mine. Seiro ruffled my hair, an action to show that he was there for me. Instead of soothing me, that touch only made me feel even more vulnerable. I cried even louder than before, but Seiro never withdrew his hand, he kept patting me until I eventually calmed down. He tucked me into bed while simultaneously stroking my head.

"Go to sleep Princess Emma," he whispered, still unable to drop the formalities. "I won't stop until you fall asleep."

"But I'm scared." I whimpered.

"Then I'll fight off your nightmares. I'll always be there for you," he said determinedly, just like a protective older brother.

I trusted him and drifted off to sleep, having complete faith that no more haunted dreams would enter my head. And it did. When I woke up, the sun was shining and Seiro was nowhere in sight. My happiness faded a bit. I swung my legs over the bed, nearly stepping on a sleeping Seiro.

He was curled up in a ball on the hard ground, his mask only a few centimeters away from him. Despite the poor sleeping conditions on the ground, he slept peacefully. My mood perked up and I stared at his rarely exposed face. When he was younger, he didn't wear a mask, but since the recent attack, he'd been more silent and stoic than usual. He even hid his dashing ShadowWolf face from others. No one knew why even his parents. It was one of the many mysteries about him.

I grabbed my fluffy pink blanket and second favorite pillow-no one ever touched my precious pillow-and carefully arranged them on Seiro. He snuggled into the pillow, giving a quiet snore. I patted his head like he was a little pup. "I'll be there for you as well."

I opened my eyes, shaking off my childhood memories. This wasn't the time to fade out of reality. I focused on the immediate threat first."W-water," I croaked.

Seiro stopped and reached for the glass of water on a night table beside me. He handed it over to me and I gratefully accepted. I drank it all at once. "How long was I out for?" I asked.