Never Letting Go (Book 1)(Reuploaded)

Chapter 4

Words: 1139

I was running. Running away from something in the darkness. Something I couldn't see, but I could sense that it was near. I was running in fear. I could feel the cold wind as it blew past my pale face. I turned and caught a quick glance at the figure. Around seven feet tall. Darker than the black night. I tried calling out for help, but could hear nothing over the sound of the wind. Not even my own voice could be heard. I kept running and running, until my legs gave out and I fell to the cold, hard ground. My eyes closed as the darkness surrounded me.

When I woke up, I was in a meadow. Completely the opposite from the area before. This place was bright and colorful. There were flowers of all different colors and trees that surrounded the big meadow. There was this hill that I stood in front of. Not a big one, more like a medium height, I couldn't see the top of it though. As curious as I am, I decided to walk up the hill. Once I got to the top, I saw someone I thought I'd never see again.

"Dad?" I questioned. He nodded. I smiled and ran towards him, despite all the running I'd done prior to waking up in this place.

"Dad!" I said as I jumped into his arms.

"Hey, butterfly. It's so good to see you again," he whispered into my ear.

"Dad I miss you. Me and mom both," I said into his shoulder as tears streamed down my face.

"I know, I know. I miss the both of you too," he replied. He put me down. He smiled down at me. But soon after that smile was wiped off of his face and replaced with a grim expression.

"It's your fault," I looked at him with fear and confusion as the once blue sky turned a dark grey and thunderstorms appeared.

"W-What?" I asked.

"It's your fault I died in that car accident. If you weren't whining and complaining about being an only child, I would've kept my eyes on the road and saw that 18 wheeler coming at us. It's your fault I died!" he kept yelling about how it was all my fault, when I noticed my mom show up next to him with the same grim look.

"It's your fault I'm like this. If you would've just kept me from going out to drink then maybe I wouldn't be so miserable. If you would've just been more responsible then maybe I would still be sober," she then continued to yell at me. Lots of my old bullies then spread out beside them forming a circle. They all called me names, screaming so loudly it made my ears start to ring. I then saw my ex boyfriend, Cole, walk up next to one of the many kids circling me.

"Cole..." I whispered. He shook his head.

"It's your fault Winter. You should've locked the door, but you left it open. It's your fault," I shook my head trying to get out of the circle that I've been trapped in. Tears running down my face.

"No...no please...leave me alone...please," I said, barely above a whisper. I fell to my knees, face in my hands. The screaming and yelling had faded out as I sat there, unaware. I felt a hand on my shoulder. I looked up and towards the angelic face that stood before me. The figure came down to my level and I saw the face clearly.

"Zach," I said, out of breath and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Don't worry, I'm here."

~

"Winter?" I heard faintly.

"Winter," my hearing started coming back.

"Winter wake up!" my eyes slowly opened as I turned to look at Zach. I sighed and sat up to hug him. He wrapped his arms around my back and sighed.

"You were having a nightmare," he said and I pulled away, but kept my hands on his shoulders. I nodded and looked down. He lifted my head with his fingers. I looked into his eyes, which I could barely see because it was dark.

"Do you wanna tell me what it was about?" he asked quietly. I looked down.

"M-My family," I said barely audible. I could tell that he was looking at me, surprised that I actually spoke.

"My b-bullies,"

"My ex," I said worried what he might think. I looked up into his brown eyes.

"You," I whispered out, just under a whisper. He looked as if he were sad. He looked down.

"Oh," he whispered. I lifted his head and looked into his eyes. I looked away before things escalated.

"My Dad was screaming at me, claiming that it was my fault that he died, as was my mom. My bullies were calling me names and my ex was blaming me for his death. But you, Zach, you comforted me when I was crying and you said I'm here," I paused. He seemed surprised. I then told him about the rest of nightmare. After I was finished I let him take it all in. He looked at me.

"The main thing that surprises me is that you actually talked," he said causing us both to laugh. We looked at each other. Zach stood up.

"Well I'd better get back to sleep," he said and I looked at the clock. 2:36. 'Woah I didn't realize that it was this late' because of my nightmare, I didn't want to sleep alone. I know it sounds weird but don't judge me. Whenever I had a nightmare when I was little, my dad would always stay with me. He said he would protect me from any nightmare. I guess that's why I feel so strongly to do this. Because I need someone to protect me from my nightmares since my dad is gone.

"Hey Zach?" I said while he was still standing. He turned and looked at me.

"Hmm," I looked at him. I opened my mouth, but no words came out. I closed my mouth again.

"What's wrong?" he said walking up to me after I didn't say anything. I gulped and looked down, worried what he might think.

"I-I don't want t-to sleep a-alone," I stuttered out and looked up at him. He smiled tiredly.

"Ok," he said. I looked at him, surprised, but moved over in my bed anyway so he could get in. Once we were both settled, I put my head on his chest. I could hear his beating heart. It comforted me as I smiled and closed my eyes.

"Don't worry, I'm here," He whispered, kissing the top of my head, as I drifted off into a deep slumber.