Landing In London {Dreams & Bleachers Sequel}

The Swan & The Wolf

NJ's POV

The room was dark, and I felt a loneliness I haven't known for years. Ever since Ryder came around, I was happy and nobody could hurt me, no matter how hard they tried. Now, as I sat in our cold hotel room, I felt that pain of being lost once again.

He was gone. I didn't know where, or why, or how; he just was, and I was scarred. A sense of fear I haven't known since high school was filling my mind. A sharp pain ran down my skin like a cat's claws digging deep. I looked down at my arms, my hair falling in my face as I saw open cuts.

This isn't right, it can't be! There hasn't been fresh blood on my arms in years. I haven't felt this alone in years either. What the hell is happening? I heard a laughter, but not the good kind; it was evil, deep. It reminded me of my father, a man I stopped loving or fearing a very long time ago.

A shadow dances along the wall as the lightning struck outside the window. For some reason, I knew I had to get away from it, but I just don't know why. I got off the bed, running to the door and almost tripping. It was locked, from the outside. How can it even be? There's no way! I can see the deadbolt turned to open, but the door was still locked.

I backed up in fear, jumping when I heard the shower turn on. The fosset creaked on as well, but it wasn't water that poured out. I didn't want to admit it, but I knew what it was; blood. This has to be a dream, it just has to be. The problem is, I can't wake up.

The fosset burst off, leaving an open pipe to spray blood all over the bathroom. It began to seep through the walls, windows, and even the door. The room was quickly filling up, but there was no way out. I tried to scream as much as I could, to no avail. Sound wouldn't come out of my mouth! However, a burning sensation did attack my throat every time I tried.

Suddenly, the burning not only continued, but it spread. My whole body felt like it was on fire, and I couldn't breath. I fell on my knees, into the blood pooling up. It was rising quickly, and even though I knew this was a dream, I was still terrified.

I closed my eyes as tears ran down my face. The winds whispered to me, it almost sounded like Ryder saying my name over and over. I wish he was here, to save me, or at least go out with me. The blood began to rise as I took my last breath, hearing his voice.

Then I woke up, only to realize he was repeating my voice, the real him. I opened my eyes to see Ryder hovering over me, and I quickly hugged him before I could even react to anything else. I was covered in sweat with hitched breaths, and that fear still lingering in me.

"You're shaking, Angel." He said as he held me in his arms. "Baby, you were crying in your sleep."

"It was just a nightmare." I whimpered as I leaned into his chest, hearing his heart beat. Looking around, I realized we were in our home, safe and sound.

"That must've been a pretty fuckin' scary nightmare." He replied, trying to laugh it off.

I took a rough swallow, feeling my throat was terribly dry. "Only because I was without you. Losing you is my biggest fear."

"Oh, Nicky, I'm never leaving you. I couldn't live without you." Ryder comforted as he kissed the top of my head.

Next Day, Ryder's POV

The sun was shinning brighter than a diamond, but worry was still clouding my mind. Whatever happened to Nicky last night was more than just a nightmare. He was shaking terribly, and looked like he's been to Hell and back. A normal nightmare doesn't do that to someone.

It was about one in the afternoon. I just got back from a meeting, and was walking around the apartment looking for my love. Wasn't hard to find him, just had to follow the radio. He was in his studio, drawing and listening to Mean by P!NK. Harley and him always listen to her music when they're in a bad mood.

I looked around at the photos of love and happiness that filled the room, but every few paintings, there'd be something dark. Guess that's who NJ is; happiness with a splash of pain.

"Hey Hun, you wanna catch a late lunch?" I asked as I leaned on the door frame.

"Yeah, I was just finishing up." He replied as he got up and set his canvas next to a few others paintings that were drying.

Nicky always draws or paints when he's stressed out. It took me while to figure it out, but I eventually caught on, and the paintings themselves tell a story. I walked over to look at what he just set down while he grabbed his jacket.

It was a picture of a swan in a lake, and a wolf standing at the shore, facing it's pack with anger. Anyone else wouldn't get it, but I do. He's the swan, and I'm the wolf protecting him from my own kind. Story of our life.

"You ready?" He asked.

I turned around, giving him a soft smile as I saw the depression in his eyes. "Yeah, Baby."