you're the only thing that's keeping me alive

chapter 8

I find myself screaming myself awake some hours later. The dream again. I asked why I'd been chosen and I was told because I'm "pure of heart, unselfish and caring." I asked what I'm meant to do and I was told 'I would know when the time came' and I asked how I'm meant to live with no income and again I got told 'everything will work out.' No wonder I woke up screaming. I lie there trying to calm myself when I hear a knock at the door.

"Yes?" I call out.

"It's Tony. Are you ok? Can I come in?"

"Yes, come in" I croak. My mouth is so dry, I can barely speak. I hear the door open and Tony comes in.

"I heard you scream and it got me worried" he says.

"I'm sorry I woke you. I had a bad dream."

"Are you ok now?"

"Yes thanks. I just need to grab a drink."

He offers to get it, knowing my feet are still sore. I smile and when he smiles back, my heart skips a beat.

He soon returns with a bottle of water.

"I thought you would have gone home" I say.

"I was too tired to drive so Vic offered me the other spare room" he says. "I've not been sleeping so well myself."

"How come?" I ask. He doesn't know Danielle told me so I act as if I don't know.

"My mom was really ill and although she's on the mend now, I'm still worried about her."

"I've got a feeling she will be fine" I say. I do have a feeling she will. Something is telling me. I can't explain it though.

He stays with me, chatting all night. He tells me that he thought my piano playing was nothing like he'd ever heard before. I find myself blushing. I can't look at him, knowing I don't know how to save him. I feel guilty but I don't know what I'm meant to do. I see his eyes closing so I pull the blankets up over us both. He's murmuring as he falls into a deep slumber. I'm glad he's getting some rest at last.

It's the sun making its way through the curtains that wakes me the next day. I feel drained, despite having slept. I hear Tony softly snoring next to me, holding my hand and despite feeling so ill, I manage a weak smile. I close my eyes again and next time I open them, the room is silent and I feel alright again.

I quickly dress in more clothes that Danielle has lent me and hobble downstairs. My feet feel a little less tender today. I see Vic and Mike in the lounge and smile shyly.

"Good afternoon little miss sleepy" says Vic.

"Afternoon? What is the time?" I ask. I've never slept this late in my life!

"2:30" Mike says, laughing. I blush, feeling like a right lazy cow.

"I felt really ill earlier when I woke up and Tony was still here but I feel a lot better now" I tell them.

"Well, he looked better than he has in a long time when he came down. He looked, I don't know, refreshed I guess" Vic says. I sit down next to Mike, who's playing on one of those cell phone things.

"Does everyone have one of those?" I ask.

"Pretty much" he says, laughing. I shake my head, laughing back. Vic offers me a drink. I ask for water. He brings it through, along with coffees for both of them. I smell the hot drink and it smells bitter to me. I'm not sure if I'd ever want to drink it.

I hear a knock at the door and Mike goes to answer. My heart starts beating faster when I hear Tony's voice. He sees me and smiles. His eyes seem happier, less lost than they had yesterday.