Wide Asleep

Eleven: Welcome Home

Thursday, November 1st, 2018
10:25 A.M.
Charlotte's P.O.V.
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"You are in the wrong."

"You're his, don't you understand that?"

We caught it early on. It's gone.

"I need him."

"Charlotte? Charlotte, wake up lass."

I bolt to a sitting position in the bed, wrapping the duvet around my body for security. Sean wears a frightened look on his face, and I let out the breath I'd been holding for who knows how long, causing the floodgates to open. Sean sits up with me, wrapping his arms loosely around me in an effort to comfort me as I quietly cry.

"It's okay, lass. Just a dream, just some thoughts that are there to scare you. Do you need a drink? Something to eat?" He asks, smiling when I nod to the first. He nods, letting me collect my bearings (and make myself decent) before we go downstairs to the kitchen together, where we find Mark and Amy sipping on coffee together, Chica right next to them. Henry sits next to Chica to accompany her, the first of the two to perk up upon our appearance. Henry is Amy's dog; I know him from a few Instagram posts.

I smile to amy, taking a seat next to her as Sean moves toward the Keurig, popping in a coffee pod as he hums to himself.

"How'd you sleep?" Amy asks, sending me a smile before drinking. I shrug, smiling at my hands, clasped and shaky on the table. Noticing how they sudden so much, I put them in my lap, out of her eyesight.

"I didn't get as much as I thought I would, but what I did get was good. I..."

I trail off, unsure of whether to continue and inform Amy of my dream--whether to tell her where I feel I need to go.

Mark looks to me after putting his conversation with Sean on hold for the time being, a serious and stern expression aimed at me.

"Charlotte, I want you to listen to me, and listen well. He has nothing but bad intentions toward you, and you're aware of that. We're just looking out for you, but you need to remember who loves you and who doesn't, alright?"

"I love you, my pet."

Bile rises in my throat, burning and making my eyes water as I hear the voice of who I long for.

"I-I've gotta go." I announce, standing up and bolting to the bathroom. I lock the door behind me, tossing my phone onto the decorative rug before spilling my innards into the toilet bowl, heaving as his image fills my mind.

I soon feel a chilled hand touch my back, bigger than Anti's. My heart rate slows, and I reach back to touch it, hoping and praying this is all real.

"You've been tainted, my love. If you are no longer safe, I will come back. Your phone is my contact. You have me as you need. There is no need to let me in anymore, Charlotte. I'm here. There's nothing to fear."

And with this, the hand is gone, and my sickness begins to fade. I feel faint now, coming to consciousness with the sound of my phone ringing and gentle knocking on the door. I pick up my phone, seeing Pamela's name. I pick it up, answering as best I can.

"Charlotte? Charlotte, are you okay? Let me come in, I'm outside. I... I think I know what's wrong."

"I... I don't think I can move." I admit, weakened by my experiences. Pamela sighs in frustration, before something... strange... happens.

"We need to go back to your apartment, or somewhere he won't find you. We need to have a talk about who's right and who isn't."

I turn around to find Pamela standing behind me. Although the door remains closed as I left it, locked even, she stands before me. I study her to notice some differences, the aura surrounding her triggering something within me, a bright purple light illuminating her cautious smile