I'll Keep You Safe

The Nightmare.

Brooke Lynn's POV:

I can't breathe. If I try to inhale, I'll drown. They're holding me underwater. I tried to wave my arms out to signal that I couldn't handle anymore. The firm hands helped me up. I could breathe again; I could breathe again.

"Brooke Lynn." Said the man, still holding onto my arms, "why are you being punished?"

"B-because." I panted, "I missed group this morning."

"That's right, and why did you miss group this morning?"

Tears streamed down my cheeks, but I stayed silent. Had what I done really justify sending me to this place?

"Inhale." The man said firmly and dunked me back under water until my arms flailed once more, "no dinner for you tonight, Brooke Lynn. You need to learn how to admit your sins. Go to your room."

Walking back to my room, I felt like I still couldn't catch my breath. I get outside of my room and the hallways guard opened my door and pushed me inside, closing the door and locking it behind me. I had another hungry, sleepless night ahead of me.

The dreams were always the same. The water punishment was my worst fear and they used it against me. I shot up in bed, a cold sweat covering my body, gasping for air. I grabbed my phone, scrolled to Owen's number, and hit dial.

"Brooke?" said a groggy voice on the other end.

"It was the water nightmare again." I said through sobs.

"Okay, just breathe in.....and breathe out. Keep doing that. Brooke Lynn, you're home and safe. They can't hurt you. Repeat that."

"I'm home a-and safe. They c-can't hurt me." I managed.

"Breathe in again, Brooke, good, now exhale. How's your heart rate?"

I held a hand to my chest, "slowing down." I said.

"Good." A few moments of silence. "Brooke Lynn?"
"Hmm?"

"How are you feeling?" Owen asked, his voice thick with concern.

My breathing had calmed, my heart rate had too. "Better."

I thought for a second. What time is it? I looked at the clock. 2am.

"I think I'm going to take a bath." I said after another minute.

"It might help you calm down. Did you get that lavender soak that I suggested?"

"Yes....Owen?" my voice cracked.

"Yeah, Brooke Lynn?"

"How long am I going to have these nightmares?"

Owen paused, "well my brother had them for a few months, but he didn't tell me until he had been home for two months. I couldn't help him from the beginning. We won't let it get that bad for you, Brooke."

"Okay." Another few minutes of silence, "I'm going to go take that bath now."

We hung up the phone and I laid there for a minute. I looked towards my balcony door. Since I've been home, I've kept the curtains closed. It stops the thoughts that could hinder my progress. It takes everything I have not to open them and look across the way to Vanessa's room. That's two steps backwards though, and that's not the direction I'm going.

I started the bath and added the soak. The water was as hot as I could get it. My body relaxed; the lavender filled my senses. I started to relax.

I stayed in the bath until my feet were wrinkled and the water was cool. I wrapped myself in my softest towel, and I went back to my bed. Sleep overtook my body, and I drifted off, praying that I wouldn't have another nightmare.