It's all just memories

Nightmares

Claire's pov:

My heart was practically jumping out of my chest, I could feel it in my throat. My hands gripped around that flare so tightly it couldn't feel my fingers. Just watching, waiting for her to show herself. My breath becoming unsteadier by the second. My head was pounding like someone was hammering through it. Counting in my head 1...2...3... just waiting for her. It made me jump, the screech of the paddock door. It was opening. She was coming. The rumble of her feet made the ground tremble, then I saw her. Not talking any chances, I ran. My legs ached from all the running, but now more than ever I had to, the t.rex was following me.
"Claire?"
Everything was relying on me, the lives of my nephews and Owen.
"Claire?! Wake up!"

My eyes shot open. Everything was dark and I had no idea where I was. My breathing was unsteady, just like that night. I could feel my hair plastered to my face, I must've been sweating a lot. Then I felt it, his hand stroking my cheek and moving my hair out of my eyes. Owen was really the only person who could calm me down, I know we've had our ups and downs but having him lying next to me was the only thing I needed. "You were having a nightmare." He said in his calm tone, he only ever used it when I'm scared or when he's trying to calm me down.
"But... I haven't had one in years.." I say rather shocked.

But it's the truth, I haven't had one in years, not since.... the incident. I had one every night. And I always woke up feeling the same: sweaty, tired, aching all over. I'd sometimes catch myself in mid scream. It was awful. I only stopped having them a year or so after. The truth is I've had nightmares all my life, well, the worst being my first internship on the island. Then the incident, now only just a few months ago when we returned back from Northern California. It's sort of a phase, I've had nightmares in that order ever since we got back.

Owen puts his arm around me and I rest my head on his shoulder. I know I now feel safe around him and I can trust him. "You wanna talk about it?" He asks kissing the top of my head.
"You're so much like my sister." It makes him chuckle. Karen always wanted to talk about things, she says it makes you feel better, but I don't know.

I thought I could leave all my past behind, but now my own head is forcing me to return. I want to move forward but it's like I'm being pulled back. "It's just... everything's coming back, all the bad memories. Everything that I wanted to forget is making me remember."
"You'll be ok. Nothing's going to harm you." Owen says reassuringly. He puts his had on my head and I hug him so tight I never want to let go. Maybe Karen and Owen are right, I should talk about it. Just how? "You gonna try go to sleep again?" I nod. I lie down and I must've managed to sleep as when I woke up the sun peeped through the cracks in the curtains

~~~

I eventually get out of bed, only forgetting about the wound in my leg. God it hurts. I make my way to the bathroom to get a new bandage when I catch myself in the mirror. I look dreadful. The night really took its toll on me. After sorting myself out I head downstairs to see Owen and Maisie sat around the table. "Hi Claire." Maisie says, she's always full of enthusiasm. After what she's been through she deserves us. "I heard you screaming last night... You ok?" I just nod as I sit down next to her.
"I'm fine, sweetie. Just... bad dream that's all."

I wanted to change the subject so badly, and I guess Maisie heard my thoughts.
"If you don't mind me asking, how did you two meet and, like, get together?"
"It's a long story. We've known each other for years. Some moments were better than others, but I'll never forget the first time I saw you." Owen says. It makes me smile. I remember how I almost missed the flight and how I nearly didn't get on the ferry. Maybe returning back is a good idea. Find that girl I used to be so many years ago.

Let me take you back to when I was 19...

Hi guys, so this is the fist chapter, hopefully you enjoyed it. I know I'm not the best of writers so it's probably really bad. But I hope you liked it and I will try update as much and soon as I can. Let me know what you think. Xxx