Redemption

Chapter 9

I jolt up and scream. My heart pounded in my chest. It's beating so fast that it hurt.

I look around and see I was still on the couch. Still in James' house.

I start to sob when I relized it was a dream.

James came rushing down the stairs. He jumped over to the couch and crouched down, grabbing my hands in his.

"Are you okay? Why are you crying? Why did you scream?" He questioned, but all I could do was cry.

He stared down at me...frowning. His eyes filled with pain. "Did you have a bad dream?" He said softly.

I nodded, not able to speak.

He pulled me into his tight, safe embrace. " It's okay..." He whispered under his breath. " It was just a dream... your safe now."

I cry even harder as he held me. We sat like that for awhile until my tears dried up.

He pulled away and held my arms. "Do wanna talk about it?" He studied me as I shook my head.

"No... im okay." I said, trying to not sound scared.

"Are you sure? You can tell me..." His face was pained. He looked so sad.

"I cant...really say-" those words reminded me of Rolands.

"He-...I can't... really say anything." His words replayed in my head. I wanted him to tell me so badly, but he didn't.

Thats how James feels... isn't it?

"There...was this man..." I quietly said. James looks at me again. Paying even more attention to me than before.

"He...pushed me down the stairs, when I relized you weren't in the house... I fell and hit my head on your coffee table and started bleeding... then the man came down and asked me where Roy-... where someone was."

I remembered that James didn't know who Roland was. I look up at him to see if he noticed that I said his name.

"Did you know who that someone was?" He asked.

" I.. I think I might...I'm not sure.." I lie.

" Then what happend...?" He leaned closer to hear me better, as I was talking very quietly.

"When I said I didnt know... where the person was, he pulled out a knife and was about to kill me... then I woke up."

I shortened the dream. I didn't want to reilive the rest. Just thinking about it sent unwanted shivers down my back.

" Im sorry...you were scared like that.." James said.

" Now... that im saying out loud, it sounds really stupid..." I joke, as a lone tear fell down my cheek.

James cupped my face and whipped the tear with his thumb.

My eyes widen at his actions.

" I don't think it was stupid." He admitted.

James?

I gently move his hand away and stand up. "I better get going now. Its pretty late."

He stands up next to me. " Right. I'll drive you."

We reach my house and stop by the door. "Next time we hang out, you should try to convince Medra to come. We all haven't hung out in a bit." He smiles down at me.

" Okay." I say.

" See ya." As he waved, he walked to his car and left.

I went inside to the sweet smell of chicken and potatoes.