The Butcher Knife Collection (of short stories)

Amy's nightmare

"Lanie?"

"Hey Amy.Glad you could make it."

"Hey."I sighed with relief.For a minute I thought it was someone else.

I glanced uncomfortably at the calm sea below us. Cool breeze whipped my hair around and I shivered.

It was so quiet.So still. So silent as though everything was holding it's breath, waiting for something, anything, to happen.

The moon was absent.The black sky glittered with it's diamonds spread far and wide.There was nothing below us but water.

Foam spluttered when water made contact with the spliced rocks at the bottom of the cliff.

"Sit down."Lanie patted the ground next to her,with an inviting smile.

I sat down,smiling back.

"It's beautiful isn't it?"Lanie murmured,pushing her hair behind her ear and gazing infront of her.

"Uh-huh."I nodded.

"You're quiet.What's up?"

"Nothing.I just had a bad dream."I blurted out before I could stop myself.

"Tell me about it."Lanie said suddenly after we stared at the magestic sea for a few moments,awed by the idea that something so beautiful could be so

dangerous and calm at the same time.

"It was nothing."I said quickly.I didn't want to tell her and offend her.Granted no one has control over their dreams but some dreams can be very...disturbing and make one feel guilty for having them.I was feeling the same way right now.

"Amy.I know you better than that.Tell me.I won't get mad if that's what you're worried about."Lanie coaxed.

"It's horrible."I said biting my lip as remnants of the nightmare flashed in my mind.

It's funny how it was still fresh in my mind,like a constant reminder whereas most nightmares I forget in the blink of an eye.

This one seemed like it was burned in my memory for good.

It lurked around the corners of my mind,like a warning.

An omen.

"Tell me please."Lanie insisted.

"I don't know."I sighed.

I didn't want to tell her because telling her might mean hearing myself regale everything.

Every second of fear,panic and helplessness.

"Amy.Come on.I tell you everything.It's not fair.I thought we had no secrets."

"We don't."

"Then tell me."

"Okay.But just so you know it wasn't intentional or anything and I have no idea why I had this."I said earnestly.

I didn't want to lose my best friend over some stupid dream.

Lanie nodded.

"It started with me getting a call from you,telling me to meet you some place.I don't remember the name but I think it was some place like this,only a bit different.The moon was hidden in the clouds,big grey clouds.I went to meet you,you were sitting on the edge of some mountain.It was a high ground.I remember looking down and crying.I was crying,shaking badly and begging you to stop.Stop what? I don't know.I just remember you being with me.I felt so scared,like every cell in my body was screaming for you to stop.And then you-"I hesitated.

Lanie motioned for me to continue.

I swallowed.

"You laughed.It was scary,I remember thinking you were mad.Dangerous.Cold.I remember I wanted to run away,get out of there,go anywhere without you.I asked you why and you said-"