If You Tell Me To Stay

Chapter 8

I'm back in that room. That scorching hot room. There are no windows. And I can't tell if it's day or night. The only light in the room is coming from the raging furnace nearby. I look around the room. I escaped once. I can escape again. I go to stand, but I feel so heavy. Why can't I stand up? It's like the hot air is pushing down on me forcing me to stay on the ground. I'm starting to panic. I can't control my breathing. It's so hot. Sweat is dripping from my forehead and into my eyes. I go to wipe it away, only to realize my hands are tied behind my back. When did that happen? I don't have time to think too much about it because the door opens with a bang and a man enters. The same man as last time. I never learned his name, but I would never forget that face. The angles of his face are sharp. His eyes are a piercing bright blue, like ice. But his most distinguishing feature is the long scar that runs down the side of his jaw. He turns around and closes the door. He lifts up the back of his shirt and little, revealing a gun tucked into the waistband of his jeans. He takes the gun out and turns back to face me.

"Hello there lass. It's lovely to see you again. You left before you could answer my questions. That was very rude." He walks toward me slowly. He crouches down to my level on the floor, resting on the balls of his feet. He places the gun against my temple. The cold metal compared to the sweltering hot room sends a shiver down my spine. "I guess I'll have to teach you some manners."

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Can was having a rather pleasant dream. He and Sanem were on a sandy beach. She was lying on her back, her head resting on his leg as a pillow, reading a book. Can was sitting up leaning back on one of his hands, his other hand was drawing swirly patterns on Sanem's bare arm. He felt so content gazing out at the water and listening to the waves crash against the shore. He felt her head move and looked down to see her looking at him with a smile. He smiled back and felt his body temperature rising just looking at her. Sanem put the book down next to her and reached her hand up and began stroking his face. Her fingers scratched at his beard. It felt amazing and Can felt himself getting even hotter. His breathing quickened and his heart rate increased in response to her touch. They continued to gaze into each others eyes. He turned his head a little so he could kiss the palm of her hand.

Sanem withdrew her hand from his cheek. She turned onto her side and pushed herself up so she was sitting on her hind legs next to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck and began to pull his face closer to hers. Can felt like he was moments from catching on fire. Their noses touched and his lips were a mere breath from hers when he was jostled awake.

He blinked his eyes a few times and was sad to discover it had all been a dream. He then realized what had woken him up. He looked down to see Sanem had wrapped both her arms around one of his and her face was planted in his chest. She was shaking, sweating, and mumbling something.

"Sanem. Sanem, wake up." He used is free hand to jostle her shoulder.

He was more awake now and even though her words were muffled against his chest he could make out now what she was saying.

"Please. Please let me go. Please. I don't know anything. Please."

I need to wake her up. Now.

He moved backward and pried her hands lose that were latched onto his arm all the while calling her name.

Once his arm was free, he turned his body to face her and grabbed both her shoulders, removing her face from his chest and forcing her sit up more. He shook her shoulders a little, "Sanem wake up."

Her eyes opened and she looked at him. Face covered in sweat and gasping for air. Her eyes were wide in terror.

Can moved his hands from her shoulders to the sides of her face. She was burning up. Keeping eye contact with her he spoke calmly and with reassurance. "Sanem, your okay. You were dreaming. It was just a nightmare. Your safe. Your right here with me. Safe."