Chapter 9 #3
“Go climb in and try and get some rest. I’ll be close by if you need anything.”
Sleep is short-lived. Even surrounded by the comforting scent of Donovan in his enormous bed, the nightmarish images can’t be held at bay.
Hooded figures dressed all in black stalk me through the house. There are so many of them, around every corner, and no matter how fast I run, I can’t escape them.
Scents of sulfur and ash choke my lungs.
Hands reach for me with dagger-like black claws glinting with menace.
Milky white eyes glow in the darkness. Sobbing, I desperately try to fight them off.
I’m not strong enough. I’m not fast enough.
Claws dig and rip at my clothes and skin.
Screams rip out of my throat. I don’t want to die—this isn’t how it ends.
“Help! Please!”
My screams are so loud they echo in my ears,and the clawed hands continue their brutal savagery on my delicate skin. I just know I’m dying; the pain is too much to bear. I’m reaching my mind and body’s limit—and then everything suddenly stops.
My agonized screams no longer shred my throat.
The clawed figures no longer tear at my body.
The darkness no longer surrounds me. Everything is bright, and I’m all alone.
I turn, taking in my surroundings, but there’s nothing except for a large mirror.
I feel compelled to walk towards it, my figure growing within it as I draw near.
I take in my image. I’m dressed in my normal sleep clothes. Both my skin and clothing are unblemished, even though it felt like the claws were shredding me alive just moments ago. I’m completely untouched, and utterly alone.
I stare endlessly, unable to look away. Something is coming.
I can feel it. The first thing to change is my eyes; they began to glow from within.
My familiar blue eyes take on more and more tones of violet until they shine like a neon light.
My mouth gapes open at the change, and that’s when I notice my teeth have elongated and sharpened too.
The only thing I can compare them to are teeth similar to a wolf.
What is happening?
Something stirs within me, trying to break free. A burning sensation begins in my stomach and continues until it becomes an all out pain. A red stain seeps through my shirt as I helplessly stare into the mirror.
My hand creeps to my middle, trembling as my fingers touch wetness. I’m terrified, but I have to know what is happening. I raise the fabric inch by inch. A wound is slowly exposed. Blood streams down my stomach, soaking the band on my shorts.
It’s so red. I never noticed how it could be such a vibrant shade of red.
I pull my shirt all the way up until the bottom of my breasts show, and that is when I truly become terrified. Carved in jagged gruesome letters is the word “MINE”. I scream and scream. I scream at the pain. I scream in horror.
Phantom hands grab me from behind, and they are covered in bright red blood.
A strong grip holds me steady as I thrash awake. I need to get away from that mirror, from the pain, from whatever keeps finding me in my dreams. I fight, desperate to break free. Sobbing in deep gasping breaths, I struggle to get away, but they hold me tight.
My ears register the gentle murmuring of soothing words meant to calm me, meant to guide me back to safety. A lamp has been switched on, casting the room in warm gentle light. I’m not in that room, there is no mirror, no cruel blood-covered hands.
Blinking the nightmare away, I take in my surroundings.
They are all here. Camden and Aiden stand next to the bed, grave concern etched on both of their faces as they look down at me.
Gentle, soothing strokes bring my eyes to the two men that are on the bed with me and my ever present guardian, Beretta.
Brent holds my wrist, his thumb gently stroking my skin.
My eyes meet his, seeing nothing but understanding.
Beretta is draped over my thighs, as if she had been attempting to stop my apparent thrashing.
Her small quiet whine makes me want to reach out to her, but my body won’t obey me.
“Kinley, baby, you’re safe…You’re safe.”
Hearing Don’s gentle voice speak those words brings my attention finally to him.
His body is so close to mine, his hands holding me, anchoring me to the present.
Seeing my eyes connect with his makes him relax his hold on me.
His hand comes up to brush away the tears I know are still glistening on my cheeks.
“There you are. Take some deep breaths for me, ok?”
I attempt to take a deep breath, but all that happens is a shuddering gasp. I’m hyperventilating.
“Try again, baby. Follow me.”
He takes one of my hands out of Brent’s grasp, placing it on his bare chest as he takes a long, slow, deep breath. My lungs strain to follow suit.
“There you go, just like that. Now, go again.”
With my hand on his chest, guiding me, my breathing evens out and slows. My head clears as the panic fades away with each breath.
“That’s my girl. I’m not going to let anything hurt you, Kinley. I promise.”
His protective words and calmness soothe me further. Wiping my tear streaked face, he speaks to the guys. “I got it from here, guys. Go get some rest.”
They shuffle out of the room. Brent gives my hand a squeeze before he also takes his leave.
My mind finally registers their various states of undress.
Even through the fog of my nightmare, I can appreciate how ripped they all are.
Their backs all look like they have been carved from the finest marble, their skin various shades of tan.
I don’t realize I’m staring until Don takes my chin and turns my face back to him.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
I shake my head. How do I explain anything about that strange dream when I don’t even understand it myself?
He doesn’t push, and I’m grateful for him.
He slides down into the bed alongside me, tucking me in close to his body until my head is resting on his chest and my arm is draped across his stomach.
Beretta graciously makes room for him, but doesn’t leave the bed.
She just moves to my other side, her back resting against mine.
I reach back and run my hand up and down her side to not only ground myself in reality but also for comfort.
No matter how much safety I feel from Don being here with me, he’ll never replace Beretta’s soothing presence.
“I’m not going to leave you alone tonight. I absolutely do not expect anything from you. I’m just going to hold you so you can get some sleep.”
I nod, my face brushing against his warm chest, grateful that he didn’t make me ask him to stay.