Esme stood on a dock outstretched before Crystal Lake. She closed her eyes and felt a cool, mid-summer breeze that gave temporary relief to the sun that beat down on her. Gentle waves rolled over the otherwise calm waters and the rays of sunlight created a natural glitter that danced off the body of water.

When she reopened her eyes she took it all in; the sun, the water, the landscape... It would have been peaceful if not for the history.

Esme shuddered as the nightmarish daydreams crept back into her mind. The blood, the bodies, Jason, they were all too real.

She whipped her head around, looking over her shoulder at the small beach and the woods. Trees swayed back and forth and the mystery of what lies behind the first few rows of trees made the hair on Esme's neck stand up.

Jason. The name made her cringe and shudder. She imagined his massive figure and the mask... it was all too real.

I have to face my demons, Esme thought.

She continued to stare into the woods and then felt her heart leap when she saw the mask.

Esme closed her eyes and reopened them, now turning to face the woods leaving the lake at her back. When she reopened them he was standing at the edge of the trees.

It's not real, Esme told herself. She closed her eyes, noting too many breakdowns in the past two years since the incident took place.

When she reopened her eyes a final she screamed as Jason's hand clamped down on her shoulder. He raised the machete high above his head and...

Esme sat up in her bed in a cold sweat. She looked around the dark room and put her hands on her face and midsection.

There were no wounds, there was no Jason. She was okay.

Esme breathed heavy and rose from where she had been laying. Sweat decorated her back and she quickly threw her hair up into a bun before heading into the kitchen. She stopped for a moment and took a deep breath as she leaned against the counter.

Another nightmare, she thought. Two years later and still the nightmares.

She opened the fridge, letting a small bout of light filter through the darkness and reached for a bottle of water. Esme placed the bottle on the back of her neck for a moment before twisting the cap and taking a long swig before letting out another long sigh.

You're alright, she reminded herself.

Esme closed the refrigerator and took the bottle with her back down the hall. As she rounded into the hallway she screamed as she came face to face with someone in the darkness.

"Hey... " Carlisle's tired voice came just above a whisper. "You okay?"

Esme sighed a put a hand on her forehead.

"I'm sorry," he cleared his throat and his sleepy eyes squinted in the darkness. "I didn't mean to scare you."

Esme hugged him. "I just got up to get a drink."

"You're sweating," he said, beginning to rub her back. "Nightmare?"

"First one in a couple months."

Carlisle kissed her forehead and then towed her by the hand. "Come back to bed."

Esme took another deep breath and felt her body relax as she slid back onto her side of the bed. The sheets felt cool against her back and Carlisle turned on a fan before sliding in beside her.

Esme closed her eyes as he cuddled up beside her and kissed the top of her shoulders.

"You're okay," he reminded her, "Jason isn't coming back."

"They never found him," she whispered.

Carlisle pulled her closer. "He's gone. He can't hurt you."

Esme sighed and nodded. "I need to get over it."

"I still have nightmares from time to time too," he told her.

Esme turned to face him. "You do?"

"Yeah," he said quietly.

"So I'm not crazy?" She laughed lightly and shook her head.

"Not crazy," Carlisle confirmed.

Esme smiled at him and gave him a kiss. A loud clap of thunder made her jump again, but Carlisle's chuckle immediately made her laugh again. Rain sounded off the roof and the curtains on one of the windows began to blow around.

"Can you close the window?" she whispered.

Carlisle nodded and hurried to the window. He slammed it shut, checked the locks twice and then accompanied her back in bed.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome." He hovered above her and kissed her again. Esme hugged him against her. "As long as you're with me you'll be safe."

"I guess I'm stuck with you, huh?" Esme teased.

He laughed, "Sucks to be you." Carlisle kissed her again.

"Nah it's not so bad."

Esme relaxed and closed her eyes as she listened to the summer rain. She tried hard to push the dream from her mind. As much as she told herself that things were okay, there was a lingering fear in the pit of her stomach and in the depths of her mind. Carlisle was right. They were fine; they were safe, but Esme knew that somewhere... Jason was out there.