Another World

Chapter 2- Night Terrors

Chapter 2- Night Terrors

The two males had dinner together at Buffalo Wild Wings, and then went to Gamestop where Hunter bought Nate replacement games. After they got home, they played Mario Kart 8 together until they were too tired to play anymore. By this point, Nate was smiling and laughing with his new-found friend. Hunter was glad to see Nate smiling and having a good time. Once Nate was ready for bed (wearing Dookieshed's pajama pants with no shirt), he went into his room.

"You gonna be alright tonight?" Hunter asked.

"Yea," Nate said. "I think I will."

Hunter nodded.

"Tomorrow, we'll go and get you some new clothes. And a new phone, too."

Nate frowned.

"No, it's... it's okay," he said. "You do enough for me already."

Hunter smiled.

"Dude, I want to do this for you," he said. "I like you. When I signed up to take in a refugee of that attack, I was hoping I'd get along with them, but you and I are like... Well, it's like I've known you my whole life. Sorry if I'm making this weird, but it's true. I mean, once you were comfortable enough with me to open up, we just clicked. And it made me happy. Around here, I'm the weird guy. I don't have many friends. Heck, kids called me Dookie in middle school because I would put these nasty brownies in the toilets to look like turds."

Nate laughed and shook his head.

"Well, Dookie, I'm glad. And no, it's not weird. I'm glad we get along, too. And I'd say you're not weird, but I was the weird kid back home, so yea. I'm the freak that jokes about touching weiners with my friends when I'm gonna see them."

Hunter cracked a smile.

"Oh my God, dude! That is amazing!" He chuckled softly. "Well, if you need anything, my room is the other bedroom. And your welcome to come sleep in there. I can sleep on the floor."

Nate shook his head.

"It's cool," he said. "But, uh.... Can I sleep with that Zoroark plush?"

Hunter grabbed the Zoroark and tossed it to Nate.

"You like Zoroark, huh?" he asked.

"Favorite Pokemon," Nate said.

"Right on," Hunter replied. "Mine's Blastoise. First starter, ya know?"

Nate smiled and nodded.

"I like Zoroark because... Just.... Look at it! It's badass! And it's just so... villainy!"

Hunter smiled and laughed softly.

"Yea, Zoroark is pretty badass-looking," he admitted. "Well, I'm gonna head to bed. Just holler if you need me."

Nate smiled and went into his bedroom, sinking down into the ultra-soft bed. God, it was like sleeping on a freaking cloud! Nate freaking loved how good it felt. Within an instant, he was out like a light. Hunter was settled into his own soft bed, staring out at the moon. He hoped Nate was really okay. He knew his new friend was still in shock over what had happened, and Hunter was determined to take care of Nate and protect him. But why was Hunter so obsessed with acting as a Guardian Angel to Nate? Was it just because they'd become so close so fast? Or was there more to it than that? Hunter sat there, staring out the window for a couple hours. Just as he was finally able to drift off to sleep, Nate began to scream. Hunter jumped out of the bed and ran into Nate's room, seeing Nate sitting up in the bed, crying and clutching the Zoroark close to himself.

"Nate," Hunter said gently. "What's wrong?"

"It was just a dream," Nate whispered to himself. "It's over. It's over. Just a dream."

Hunter wrapped his arms around the raven-haired male. The other cuddled into his friend and just cried, shaking. Nate was clearly terrified again. Hunter'd read that people who'd experienced traumatic moments could suffer from night terrors, and he knew that's what had happened to Nate.

"It'll be okay," he whispered gently to his friend. "I'm here. I'm here."

Nate nodded, still shaking and crying. Hunter just sat there, holding him and comforting him. Finally, the two of them fell asleep side-by-side, in Nate's bed.