Sweeter Than Wine

The Nightmare

My eyes slowly drift open, the room still dark. I snuggle closer to George, wondering why I suddenly woke up to begin with. My eyes wander the the window to the right of the bed.

Something feels off as I stare intently at the open gap in the sheer curtains. Suddenly a pair of bright green eyes appear, looking around the room but, thankfully, not noticing me. It feels like the breath has been sucked out of my lungs as I jump up.

I rush backward to the door, feeling the need to get out of sight before I'm noticed. I open the door and slip out into the hall, my heart hammering painfully in my heaving chest.

I close my eyes and slide down the wall until I'm sitting, uncaring of the cold floor chilling my naked form. I feel a warm hand touch my cheek and I shriek swatting at it.

George grips my wrist lightly, "what's the matter, sweetheart? Why'd ya come out here so late?" He asks softly, helping me to my feet. "I-I saw eyes in the window.."

George furrows his brows, "we're on the second floor, love. It was probably just a dream..." he speaks uneasily as he rubs calming circles on my lower back.

"Still..." I speak hesitantly, "I'd feel better if you would close the curtains all the way..." George nods understandably and goes into his room.

"Come on back, love." George beckons from the darkness of his room. I follow his deep, soothing voice. We lay down together, George rubbing my back gently until I fall back into a restless sleep.

************************************

I hear the sound of birds singing, but it brings no joy. I lift my heavy head off of the surprisingly soft pillow, hopeful that last night was just some horrible nightmare.

I flutter my eyes open, taking in my surroundings. First thing I notice is the various tubes of liquid being pumped into my arms.

My heart feels a spike of adrenaline shoot through it. A memory flows slowly into my head. The pain in my head slowly being brought forth from the recesses of my fuzzy mind.

A fear unlike I've ever known makes my body go numb, my mouth dry. I take a few ragged breaths, building up the scream that's sure to come.

"It's no use. No ones going to hear you. Psyche." A deep American accent slowly speaks from somewhere I can't see.

I let out a small sob, "...George.."

************************************

I feel a gentle shaking as I come into consciousness. I open my eyes slowly, looking into the terrified eyes of George. "George.." my voice comes out in a croak, my throat burning.

"________! Are you okay?!" George speaks urgently, gripping my face gently. I nod, "I...yeah. What's going on?" I ask, my mind reeling from the nightmare I was just shaken from.

"You were sobbing and crying out for me in your sleep...and I couldn't get you to wake up..you scared the life out of me..." he pulls me to his chest, hugging me tightly. I whisper his name and kiss him softly.

A sharp knock sounds at the door. "Alright lovers, I made a breakfast you can't refuse, so be downstairs in 5 minutes or I'm coming in there. Maybe in more ways than one." Paul's muffled voice says in a sing-song tone.

George let's out a half sigh, half chuckle, "come on love, he's probably being serious for once in his bloomin' life." I smile to myself as we get up for the day.