The Insight of Denmark

~8~

Chaos. Complete and utter chaos surrounded her. This was different, scarier in fact as people were running and screaming around her. There seemed to be no end as she tried to escape. Blood splattered over the walls and buildings around her, the pristine white snow was slowly becoming a red river of impending death as the dark chuckle came to her ears. More screams filled the air as women and children ran by while men tried to stop the forces coming into the town.  

Annalise couldn't move, no matter how hard she tried to will her body to, it was useless. The chuckle came to her again as a man hollered something in an old tongue just to be brought down with a heavy thud. The large ax protruded out of his torso as the one holding it step upon the body, removing the weapon as they moved closer. The hint of juniper tickled her nose as her eyes shot open, looking up to the face of the murderous man, just to sink back into the stained snow and scream.

"Annalise!" she heard someone yell at her.

Annalise shot upright in her bed as hands gripped onto her shoulders and a cool nose pressed itself against her hand. She glanced around, panic still running through her as she heard Mathias speaking to her. She tried to cover her ears as the strange buzzing came to her head and the low light somehow began to warp around as everything seemed to be distorted.

No, she was stronger than the breakdown, she had to be. She focused her mind as best as possible on Mathias and the memories she had gained in her new home of Denmark. Away from the cruel and judging eyes of the people she once called her own, including her family. Dinners with the Nordic family came to her head as laughs and merriment filled her head, speaking with the girls as they watched the children and waited for the boys to finish their meetings. Speaking so deeply to one another about their personal issues and gains, it was there in these nations she felt normal.

"Annalise." she heard Mathias say as his fingers gently caressed her arms.

"Mathias." she whispered, feeling the overwhelming moment fade away.

"It's alright, I'm here as Eirik is. It's ok, just a bad dream."

Looking up, she saw Mathias sitting before her, eyes full of worry as she focused back on him, "There you are. Started to worry me there."

"I'm sorry."

"For what?"

Annalise sighed as she pulled her knees up, "For waking you."

"It's alright, although these nightmares are getting worse. Want to tell me what happens in them?"

She caught his gaze as the nightmare flamed to life in her head again, making her shudder and pull away from him, "No."

"Annalise?" his voice was full of worry, "Min elskede, are you ok?"

"Oui, fine. Just tired." she lied.

His face gave her the notion he knew she was lying, but wasn't willing to push her farther than needed. With defeat in his eyes, he kissed her head and walked out of the room as Eirik tagged behind. She tried to think positive but after the attack on the capitals and cities and seeing Trine like she did, she had nightmares every night. Each time she closed her eyes it was the same thing; a village being plundered and ravaged as people screamed around her just to see the man drive the ax into the ones trying to protect it. Yet this one was different. This time he had a face and it scared her to death.

Throwing her legs over the side, she made her way down stairs, hoping to catch him before his meeting that morning. That and she just wanted to feel him and know he was real. The moment she hit the kitchen entryway she knew he was up for a while, the sweet smells of breads and fruits came to her. Looking upon the table, she found the clear majority of the traditional rolls and jams sitting on the hard-wooden surface as he moved around the shelves. Guilt rolled through her, knowing that he worked hard on it and attempting to make it perfect for her and the fact she was lying to him didn't help.