Illusions

Night Terrors

"Beep, beep, beep"

"Bang, bang, bang" I start running and hide behind the log.

"Beep, beep, beep"

"Bang, bang, bang" Three bullets embed themselves into my flesh. It stings and I can smell the blood.

I gasp desperately opening my eyes seeing our ceiling fan. I feel cold but sure enough sweat is covering my forehead.

My hand floats up to my forehead wiping away the wet dots splattered across it.

I hear a moan then two arms grab my waist and pull me away from the edge of the bed until my back is against Jason's bare chest. My heart skips a beat, freaking out for a moment before feeling Jason's body heat warm me.

I let out a puff of air I hadn't realized I was holding in.

"Beep, beep, beep"

"Bang bang bang" the sound from the alarm, I didn't realize was still on, brought a we'll of emotions into my chest. I sit up quickly my fight or flight reflexes taking over.

I'm breathing hard and my hand
moves up to my eye wiping away a small tear before I aggressively turn off the alarm. I take a few deep breaths calming my shaking body.

"Hey, you okay" I hear a groggy voice that was muffled in the pillows. Jason sits up after a moment concerned.

My knees are pressed against my chest tightly as my hands wrap around my legs.

All I see is a figure dressed all in black walking towards me. The figure lifts up the gun. I close my eyes pulling my legs closer to my chest letting a few more tears slip.

"Hey" his soft voice pulls me from this nightmare.

I lift my head and wipe my eyes quickly.

"What's wrong?" He brushes a hand against my cheek that drifts across my face pushing a piece of hair behind my ear.

I look at him opening my mouth. Nothing comes out, no words, no excuse, nothing. Instead I just lean into his chest and let the tears dance down my face silently. Jason wraps his strong arms around me. He seemed to understand I didn't want to talk about it.

After holding me for a while, Jason turns me to face him. I put one leg on either side of him now sitting in his lap. He leans his forehead against mine.

I open my mouth hoping something will come out this time.

"I'm sorry, did I wake you" were the only words I could force from my lips. I look straight down at the bedsheets and take another deep breath.

"Don't be sorry" He strokes my cheek with his thumb before lightly lifting my chin so I was now looking at him. He kisses the tip of my nose. "What's wrong? You haven't been the same since you came back from that run the other day."

"I-I" I couldn't get it out. My eyes fall from his gaze as I take in a shaky breath. "Someone tried to kill me" I say under my breath barely audible.

"What?" He asks with a confused look.

"Someone...someone tried to kill me." I say a bit louder.

Saying it out loud made it so real....or was it....was it just a dream? I begin to question my reality and if that really happened that day.

Jason looked into my eyes sadly. "And you didn't tell me?" He pulls me into a hug. "Let's go get you some tea and you can tell me all about it." I pull away from the hug and he wipes another tear from my face. I nod to his comment and we both head down stairs.

I sit at our counter on one of the stools while Jason turns on the lights and puts a pot of water on the stove. When he was finished he sat down next to me and started rubbing my back.

"You ready to talk about it" he asks me concerned. I shrug not sure if I will be able to tell the whole story without bursting into tears.

I open my mouth about to let the whole story come flooding out, but I jump as the pot begins to whistle signaling the water was ready. He kisses my forehead before turning of the stove and getting us both a mug of tea.

Jason puts the cup in front of me. I breath in the sweet smell of my favorite tea and take a sip before spilling the whole story to my fiancé. His eyes grow sad as I finish the story.

"I'm so sorry my love" he takes my hand in his comprehending the story I just laid out in front of him.

I sigh and look up at the clock.

"Um great therapy session babe but I really have to get to work." I say while sniffling and wiping my eyes. I hurry upstairs to get dressed a bit relieved that I got some space to myself while changing.

I leave all my emotions from this morning on the floor with my pjs. I sprint downstairs already out of breath from getting ready so quickly.

"Bye, I love you" I kiss Jason and head for the door.

"We are talking about this when you get home, okay?" His voice was so soothing. I could tell he was reluctant in letting me leave before we had this all cleared up.

I breath in the fresh morning air when I opened the door. "You got it boss." I say in an attempt to be funny to block out all my emotions.

"I love you too" he says before I shut the door behind me.