Red. The sky was red as fire seemed to fall down like rain. Smoke bellowed up black from what used to be our homes. I could hardly see in front of me as I tried to run through the black walls of smoke.
My head ached as it filled with the sounds of screams. The screams grew louder as the tanks retreated and their rumbles grew softer.
My feet ran towards the screams, ignoring the painful shrapnel poking through the holes in the soles of my shoes as I ran.
My lungs were burning as I fell to my knees before my uncle. My chest heaved as it filled with smoke and dust. A firm hand gripped my upper arm. I felt my body shaking as my uncle cried. Through the dust I saw my cousin. His small body in my uncle's other arm. The grown man curled over the bloody body of what used to be his son.
The screams grew louder as he continued to shake me in agony. "He's dead. He's dead. Alister! Alister! He's dead! ALISTER!"
My eyes snapped open. My lungs filled with clean air far too quickly. The red in the sky was replaced by the stars shining in through the window to my left. The smoke that had surrounded me was now the safety of your bedroom.
My grey eyes meet your blue ones and immediately your face blurs above me as my eyes begin to burn with tears. My hands fly up to my face and I hide myself from you. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry." I pant, trying to catch my breath. "I'm sorry." I continue chanting.
"Stop. Stop." You start speaking over me, trying not to raise your voice, though I can tell you're trying to make sure I heard you. "You're fine." You finally say, once I grow quiet. There is a silence between us. I can still feel tears trying to fall from my eyes as I continue to squeeze them shut and press the heals of my palms against them. "Look at me." I don't. "Alister." You snap, growing impatient. I lower my hands, peaking up at you through my fingers. You lightly take my wrists, lowering my hands all the way. You hold my hands in your own, giving them a light kiss. "You're safe now." You say honestly.
I sigh. I know you're right. But I can't shake the red and the tanks. Thousands of miles and years away and yet I still can't escape the war that took everything from me. But I know you're right. I know they can't get me here. After a while, I give you a nod. "Yeah…" I manage out, somehow both exhausted and still on edge.
"You're fine." You say again, leaning down to press your lips against mine. You brush my bangs out of my eyes before laying back down next to me in bed. "Let's try and get some sleep." You encourage, wrapping a protective arm around me. "I have to be up for work in a few hours." You add with a suppressed yawn.
"Yeah yeah." I give you a smile, finally relaxing against your firm chest. "You and that company of yours…" I try to tease you, aware that you've picked up on the hallow tone in my voice.
I feel your lips press against my temple. "Let me know if you need anything else. But you should really try and get some sleep." You insist, settling back down as your eyes slide shut.
I nod against your body, snuggling up close to you once more. Even if the tanks do return in my sleep, I know you'll always be there to save me.