I shook my head, trying to clear my vision. This goddam field. She was standing above me speaking like fire was crawling up her throat. She pulled me to my feet and whispered in my ear, "You're going to hell, darling." Her breath on my ear made me shiver, but her lips burned as they trailed down my neck. I tried to back away from her but fell backwards landing on my back. She was practically on top of me, leaning over both hands on my shoulders burning through my flesh she pulled me up again. The fire spread across my body and I cried out in pain.
"Ryan, wake up!"
My arms were pinned down. I started to panic and thrash around but they stayed down on the bed.
"Hey, it's okay. Breathe," the voice came out calm. It was Max. He let go of me and I jumped up and hugged him around the neck. He pulled me in closely and whispered, "I've got you, okay? You're alright. You're safe. It was just a dream."
"Okay..." I whisper softly, still clinging to him. I close my eyes and try to slow my heart beat, still breathing heavy. My throat hurt, I probably screamed again. I started to say something but it came out hoarse. I cleared my throat and tried again but nothing came. Max reached down from the bed, keeping one arm still holding me to him, and brought up a Gatorade. I let go of him and drank several gulps.
"Maybe I ought to stay in here with you?" he asked quietly. I nodded as I put the bottle down. Max laid down and pulled me down to lay with him.
I rested my head on his shoulder and smiled, happy he knew me so well I didn't even have to ask. I always felt safer sleeping next to him. He could have just been on the floor in the same room and I would automatically feel safe. His blue jersey smelled like him, not his cologne, but him. It smelled like home.
I inhaled deeply filling my lungs with him and began to relax. Exhaling slowly he brought his hand up to my arm rubbing it softly, in that comforting way he does. I began to nod off again, and I wrapped my arm around his stomach.
Waking up the next morning, I was happy to find him still there under my arm, not the stupid green paisley sheets. I looked up to find him awake as well looking down at me softly. He got this playful smile and laughed lightly.
"What?" I said bitterly.
"Your hair sticks up worse than mine does in the morning," was his asshole reply. I reached up and rubbed his head hard with my knuckles, laughing a little myself as he winced.
"Really? I'd say they're about the same," I replied smoothly, smiling right back. I rolled off of him and checked the time on my phone. It was still pretty early but we would have to leave within the hour to get out of the state by the end of the day. I noticed frost on the window and nearly groaned. I absolutely hate the cold.
After a good amount of time was wasted laying around pretending the world didn't exist, we got up and got dressed. We had a long day ahead of us, but at the end of it, we would finally be free of our troubles. For once in my life, I felt like I could actually make it out alive.
