I'll Love You, Regardless

Nightmares

I bolted upright. Sweating, shivering, and my heart beating fast. Charles immeditaely noticed, slowly waking up as well.

"What's wrong?" He asked, concerned.

"N-Nightmares," I managed to spit out.

"Oh no, come here," he said, opening his arms for a hug.

I rolled over into Charles's arms. He slowly stroked my head.

"It's alright buddy, I'm right here," he said, softly.

I kept shaking, I couldn't stop, not after what I saw.

"Can you tell me what happened?" he asked.

I shook my head no. I can't speak without crying.

"Okay, well then I'll just stay right here," he said.

"Don't leave. Don't ever leave me," I whispered almost on impluse when he said those words.

"I'm not gonna leave," he whispered.

He held me close while I cried.

"It's going to be okay, Henry," Charles said.

"I can't lose you again," I said.

"Again? What happened in your nightmare? Did I do something wrong?" he panicked.

"Y-You didn't do a-anything," I stuttered.

"Then what happened?" he asked.

"You... you... you..." I tried to spit out.

I just leaned on Charles continuing to cry. I had to think about that image again.

"It's okay Henry, you can say it," he said, calmly.

I couldn't. I couldn't say it. It was to hard to speak about. No.

"Maybe a movie will take your mind off of things!" Charles piped up.

I nodded.

"Let's watch Sleeping Beauty, and I'll make some pastries," he smiled.

"That sounds good," I whispered.

"Do you want me to carry you?" He asked

I nodded. I didn't feel like walking, my legs were jello.

Charles picked me up, I was surprised that he was able to carry me. He carried me down the hall and set me on the couch. He went over to the DVD player and put Sleeping Beauty in.

"I'm gonna get to work on pastries," Charles smiled.

"Stay.." I whispered.

He turned around, "Was the nightmare that bad?"

"Yes," I said.

He hopped over onto the couch.

"Come here," he said, reaching his arms out again.

I said over and leaned on arm, like he did with me except this time he had his arms wrapped around me. I felt safe. I felt like I could fall asleep again.
Slowly, but surely, I drifted off into a sleep again.