Just Breathe

Chapter Two - Gavin

My heart was beating so damn hard and fast, it felt like it was going to burst right through my chest. I almost got him, just a little bit further and I can get Travis out of this nightmare. I push myself to go harder and faster. I can feel the sweat mixed with the dirt running down my face. I don't bother wiping my eyes as I push myself to run faster. "GAVIN!" I search for where Travis's voice is coming from but he's not head of me anymore. Where the fuck did he go? "TRAVIS!" I don't stop running. I keep searching. "TRAVIS!"

"Gavin..." Travis? he sounds closer, but where is he? Within seconds we're in a clean and sterile room. Gone is the dirt and explosives. I look all around the room and from thin air a bed appears, Travis laying on it with all these tubes and shit. I try to call and reach for him, but I don't hear a sound leave my mouth. No, this is not happening! I'm frozen in place as I watch. A doctor appears and starts to resuscitate him, but the sound of his heart monitor beeping that loud, continuous, and dreadful sound brings me to my knees. TRAVIS!!!

I jolt up in bed, trying to catch my breath and gather my surroundings. There's a light pounding at my bedroom window, when I look over at it I see it's raining steadily. Zeus moves closer to me on the bed, lays his head on my right thigh and lets out a small whimper. "It's alright boy. Just a bad dream." I rub his furry head and use the shirt I took off before going to bed to wipe off the sweat running down my face and chest. I throw it onto the floor and reach for the bottle of water on my nightstand and take a long drink. Sitting up against the headboard, I lean my head back while watching the lightening mix with the rain. Everything is silent, except for the pitter-patter against the window, matching my now steady heartbeat.

"Six months, ten days, and five hours", I whisper into the lonely room. Zeus looks up and throws out a low growl. "Yeah buddy, I know. You miss him the most."