The Dysfunction Of Evan: Books 1-3 Collection

26. A shock, a friend, and a Holly

I was running down a dark, endless hall. The walls closed in behind me, preventing me from turning back. The orange glow I ran towards grew hotter.

"Help!" I screamed. I could feel my skin melting. "SOMEBODY!"

I came to and edge. The hallway closed behind me, the only place to go was down, into the inferno. The floor beneath me started to retract. I frantically searched the wall behind me, looking for anything I could grab onto.

I was falling, surrounded by everything I knew. The people in my life laughing, mocking me as I screamed. I reached out, hoping someone would help me.

I bolted up in bed, drenched in sweat. I was breathing heavily and tears stung at my eyes. I looked at Tom's alarm clock, it was two fifty am. He was sleeping soundly beside me. I got out of bed, careful not to disturb him. I slipped on my silk robe and went down to the kitchen.

I filled the kettle and turned on the stove. I stood and waited for it to heat up, pulling it off before it could whistle. I grabbed a mug and filled it. I then searched the cupboards for tea. When I found some, I pug a bag in the mug.

I took my drink to the living room, and perused Tom's collection of books. Tess of the d'Ubervilles, Pride and Prejudice, Captain Blood, collections of poetry, several editions of the works of Shakespeare. I fund a battered copy of Wuthering Heights, my favorite, and clearly something Tom had read about as many times as I had. I'd replaced my own copy at least three times.

I settled in on the couch and started reading, chasing away the nightmare. The simplicity of a time gone by relaxed me. How I had longed to be Cathy as a child, to find my own Heathcliffe. I wanted to roam the moors and live in a desolate manor. I found it all romantic and attractive.

I was halfway through when I heard Tom coming down the stairs. I heard the clicking of Bobby's nails as he followed his master.

"Baby?" He asked softly. I looked up at him.

"Hi. What time is it?" I asked, setting the book down, making a mental note of what page I was on.

"It's six. How long have you been up?" He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me, leaning over to kiss the top of my head.

"I woke up around three." I said, resting my head against his arm. "I had a nightmare."

"Why didn't you wake me?" He asked.

"You've got a lot to do today, I wanted you to get your rest." I looked up at him. He kissed my forehead, then my lips.

"What do you plan to do while I'm busy?" He asked.

"I thought I'd take Bobby for a walk. I have a friend that's in town on holiday, I have plans to meet her for lunch. We also want to check out The Viktor Wynd Museum." I said. He pulled away from me and joined me on the couch. He was just wearing boxers.

"Sounds like a good day. This friend, one of the girls in your group?" He asked, pulling me close to him.

"Yeah. She lives in Germany. She's just here for a few days." I replied.

"Is she coming by herself?"

"No, she's with a couple friends, but she's set today aside for me." I tilted my head back to rest on his shoulder.

"That's nice of her. Maybe I can treat you both to dinner?" He asked. His lips were right at my ear, his voice soft and deep.

"I think she'd like that." I said. "Actually, she'd love it."

"Mmm. You know what I'd love right now?" He asked as his hands skimmed my legs. He sucked on my ear lobe. I felt my body arouse under his touch.

"Not hard to guess." I sighed as he slipped his hands under my robe.