What I'm Not

Chapter 9

I stood in the Subway parking lot where Takara worked. I could see him in the window. He was wiping down the tables and collecting garbage. Behind me, a man with blank eyes walked up to the door. In his hand was a handgun.

"No," I said. I reached for the gun but my feet were frozen in place. "Stop! My friend is in there! Stop!"

He opened the door and shot Takara several times. Four people ran in from the back and they were also shot. I cried out, telling the killer to stop but he kept shooting until a pair of strong hands gripped my shoulders and gently shook me.

"Wake up, Brooklyn."

I shook my head and continued crying.

"Wake up!"

I opened my eyes to find myself in my bedroom with Takara staring down at me, his hands on my shoulders. His face was blank but his grip showed concern.

"Takara," I whispered.

He pulled me into an embrace and squeezed me gently. "Calm down. It was just a dream. It was just a dream."

He let me go and wiped my eyes from the tears I never knew existed.

"Did I wake you?" I asked nervously.

"No. I heard you screaming though. I thought someone was hurting you so I came in." He took a step back. "Are you alright?"

"I-I think so."

"Okay. If you need me, I'm across the hall, okay?"

I nodded and he shut the door behind himself. I laid there silently for a few minutes before I found myself knocking on Takara's door. He opened the door.

"Whats wrong," he asked.

I couldn't meet his eyes. "C-can I sleep with you tonight?"

"Sure," he said. He let me in and shut the door behind him.