Innocence

V

"I really don't think Calum's a good influence."

"Are you sure you want to be hanging around someone like him?"

I frowned a little, remembering my mother's words from the argument that had taken place just twenty minutes before hand.

I'd gotten in the door after hanging out with Calum and Zoe all afternoon and immediately my mother began the third degree about why him and I were so close all of a sudden.

A small argument which I won by slamming the door in her face.

I laid in bed and shifting positions before I finally became comfortable. But of course I wouldn't be comfortable for long, the dreams would come and snatch away any chance I had at comfort.

I began to think about my afternoon with Calum and Zoe. They really were good people, god knows why they'd leave their home to come meet me.

The letter still bugged me and I desperately wanted to read it. I felt a pull towards it almost, it was definitely odd.

"It's none of my business," I spoke quietly, half trying to convince myself to drop it. "Now go to sleep."

The dreams were waiting. I could feel them hanging over me like a dark grey cloud of despair.

I heard a noise and I froze for a moment before realising it was rain pattering against the roof. I smiled a little, glad about the weather change.

Oddly enough, I always slept better when there was bad weather raging outside.

It made it seem like being inside was safe. Like I was safe.

I felt a yawn coming and I knew I'd have to sleep eventually, and better now than never.

I really wanted to try out Calum's theory.

"Make sure you're calm in the dream. Make sure you're not giving yourself a heart attack. I know it's probably scary and it feels real but you have to remember that all it is, is a dream. Be calm."

I can do it, just be calm.

•••

There I stood, standing in the dark moor. The grass cuttings tickled my ankles and I balanced my weight on both feet.

I heard the rumble of distant thunder and the screams of a desperate girl.

I felt my heart beating in my chest and I felt myself begin to gasp, trying to get air to my lungs. This was too much.

I tried to take a step as a light rain began to fall but now my feet were fixed into place.

Calm yourself.

I remembered Calum's advice. I began to breathe slowly, reminding myself that this is all just a dream and when I wake up I'll be fine.

"This isn't even real," I yelled, surprising myself with my newfound confidence. "It's all a dream."

As a reaction, the rain seemed to pour harder. A flash of lightning lit up the sky and I covered my eyes to stop the rain from blinding me.