Ryan's POV
* Ryan's Dream *
"Okay, Ryan, time for bed." My mother says with a smile, flicking off the TV that I had been half-watching, half-sleeping to. My eight-year-old self stretched and stood up with a yawn.
"Go upstairs and change, I'll be right up." My mother said, heading off into the kitchen to wash off the plate that I had just eaten off of. I obediently trudged upstairs, slow with tiredness until I reached the top.
After changing into my pyjamas and brushing my teeth, I sat, perched on the edge of my bed as I waited for my mom to come and say goodnight.
I heard the sound of footsteps coming up over the stairs and I looked up, expecting to see my mother's loving face appear in the doorstep. But, the footsteps were slow and seemingly stumbled with every step. My mother wasn't clumsy, not at all. Maybe she had fallen?
The one thing I didn't expect was for my dad to stumble into the room, sweaty and clumsy as hell. My eyes widened slightly. "Daddy? What's wrong?" I asked quietly.
My father stared at me, his eyes piercing into mine. I tensed up. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, so hard that I thought he'd be able to hear it. He sauntered over, almost tripping a few times. He leaned over me, and I gazed up at him, feeling myself shaking slightly. I'd never been so afraid of him in my life.
Something about him was different. As he spoke, I felt his breath on my face, and it reeked of the sharp tang of alcohol. "Hey there, kid." His words slurred together, as if he had trouble speaking.
I didn't say anything, silently hoping and wishing that the drunken man would just leave. Leave me alone.
"Say something, child. Are you tired?" My father growled; his gaze hard and cold as ice. I wasn't tired. Not anymore. I didn't answer; I just shut my eyes tight, willing for him to leave.
I felt him slap me. The force sent me falling off of the bed and onto the floor. I stumbled to my knees and crawled backwards, feeling the sharp stinging on the side of my face. "S-Stop..." I whimpered as he came close again, pressing my back against the wall. "What did you say, you little shit!?" My father demanded, kneeing me in the stomach. I cried out in pain, instantly curling my legs close to me. I could feel tears brimming in my eyes. But, my dad wasn't done yet.
He smacked me hard upside the head, making my vision spin and blur in a pain that I hadn't experienced before. I felt the tears start running down my face. I opened my eyes, and in one swift moment, my dad had gotten a fistful of my pyjama top and yanking me harshly up off of the floor.
I screamed in pain and fear.
My mom ran into the room. "Put him down!" She yelled. My father dropped me and I groaned in pain, rubbing the back of my head. I looked up as my dad advanced on my mom, grabbing her arm in a steel hold and dragging her out of the room. I crawled across the floor, catching my breath as I watched the scene unfold, my eyes wide in horror.
My dad struck at my mom, pinning her to the floor as he strongly punched and kicked her. "Dad, please! Stop it!" I screamed pleadingly, tears blurring my vision as my mom coughed, blood dripping from her nose. "Get off of m-me!" My mom choked out, struggling to fight back. "Don't fucking tell me what to do, bitch!" My father roared angrily, with a violent punch to her head, making her eyes close and her body slump back. My breath caught in my throat.
She was dead
*End of Ryan's dream*
"No!" I yelled as I shot up in bed. My eyes were wide and my breathing was rapid and panicked. My whole body trembled as tears ran down my cheeks. It was that nightmare again. Every time I have it, it still has the same effect on me. It was still as vivid as the day it happened. I didn't think I would ever forget that.
I choked out a sob and pulled my knees up to my chest. I wrapped my arms around them and buried my face in my arms. I closed my eyes tightly and sobbed quietly. Why couldn't I just forget about my mother dying and my father abusing me? Why did I still have to watch her die again and again almost every night?
Felix's POV
I was awoken by my phone going off. I groaned and rolled over, hitting the dismiss button. It's still the middle of the night! Who would be calling at this hour? I sighed and pushed the blankets off of me. I was still in my sweats without a shirt on. I got up out of bed. May as well head to the bathroom while I'm up, I thought heading out into the hallway as quietly as I could, not bumping into anything in the dark. I glanced into Cry's room and then continued on. But then I did a double take and moved backwards, back to Cry's slightly ajar door. I opened it a little more an peered inside. Cry had his face buried in his arms with his knees pulled up to his chest and I heard his muffled sobs. It broke my heart to see my friend in this state. I stood in the doorway.
"Cry...? A-Are you alright," I whispered. Cry flinched when he heard me speak. I guess he wasn't expecting me to be up yet, let alone seeing him like this. He wiped away his tears. He grabbed his mask a looked away as he slipped it on. He turned his head to face me.
"I-I'm fine," he muttered softly. He sounded so broken and upset. My facial features softened as I slowly approached my friend. I sat on the edge of the bed, turning to face him. I slowly extended my arms to offer a hug to him, seeing as how he was distressed and may want some comfort. He didn't hesitate to lean into me and wrap his arms around my back. His body shook and I could tell that he was silently crying.
I put my arms around him and rubbed his back in an attempt to comfort him. I rested my chin on his shoulder and ran a hand through his hair." Everything will be alright," I whispered quietly, close to his ear, repeadedly stroking a hand through his dark hair. "I'm not letting anything happen to you, don't worry," I whispered in addition, hoping that it made sense to whatever problem he was having, and then stopped talking for a long period of time. I was still gently stroking his hair while keeping my other arm securely around his back.
Cry eventually started to calm down. His breathing was still ragged and shaky,but he had stopped crying."Thank you," he whispered after a few moments.
"You're welcome," I murmured in response. I closed my eyes and listened to his soft breathing, enjoying the comfortable silence between us. Cry tightened his hold on me.
"Thank you Felix. This helped,really," he murmured. I smiled slightly and continued to rub his back.
"I'm glad I've helped," I whispered. "I'll always be here for you if you need me. Any time," I murmured quietly, putting my hands around his back and pulling away a little so I could see his face...well his mask. "You can trust me..." I started."...Ryan." I ended, barley audible, not sure if he liked to be referred to as Ryan around me yet.
"I know," he said quietly. He was silent for a moment."Well, you should try to get more sleep," he murmured.
"Are you she that you're alright now, Ryan?" I ask quietly. I moved my hands up to his sides and then rested them on his shoulders, giving him a gentle smile. He nodded.
"I'm sure. Thanks you Felix," he whispered gratefully. I hesitated for a moment. I trailed my hands an his arms lightly, taking his hands in my own. I interlocked fingers with my left hand with his and gave his hand a gentle squeeze.
"I'll be across the hall then," I whispered with a small smile." Get some sleep, Ryan," I added, running my right hand through his dark brown hair. I let go of his hand and stood up, walking towards the door."Goodnight," I whispered before exiting the room, heading back to my own room.
I entered my room and crawled back into bed. I had the weirdest feeling. I knew what it was. I don't know how it was possible,but it was. I have a crush on Ryan. I've actually like him for a few months,but never really acknowledged it until now. I sighed quietly. Come on Felix,he's your best friend. He doesn't like you like that. Despite my new found love for Ryan and my negative thoughts, I slept peacefully with a small smile.
( Hey everyone. I just have to say that Alex wrote the nightmare scene so make sure to give her credit for it.)
