Screams
I eventually felt her breathing even out and could tell she was dropping off to sleep. I stood up with her how she was, wrapped around my waist and neck, just as one might hold a child. She felt so precious and delicate as I pulled back the light comforter and settled her down. Even in sleep, she didn't look peaceful. I left her door open and headed to my room, curling under my sheet, which I would normally lay on top of. I felt a cold absence without her here. I sent myself to sleep listening to the rhythmic beat of her heart.
A blood curdling scream ripped me awake. I barely had time to glance at the clock as I raced to Orlas room. It was 2:30. My heightened senses scoured the home for any intruder that could be hurting her. But it was just the two of us. I burst into the room and she was writhing on the bed. Her eyes were open, unblinking, but I couldn't be sure if she was awake or not.
"Orla, Orla baby, it's ok. It's just me here, you're safe."
I scooped her up against my chest and held her tightly. She was still thrashing. She was kicking and punching and sinking her teeth into my skin. I was filled with hate and anger and most of all, fear. I knew that was how she was feeling. Her nightmares had brought all the horror I was trying to take away right back with all the force they'd ever had.
"Shh, honey. It's me. It's Seth. I've got you." I breathed into her ear.
I paced around the room holding her, still fighting me, but she wore down into a puddle of tears and I could finally pull her face up towards mine. Her eyes bore into mine with the pain and misery you might expect from a nuclear veteran, or maybe a 200 year old vampire, anything but a barely 16 year old girl.
"Don't leave me," she hissed, before sinking her face against my chest, sobbing.
I hardly even registered that she'd spoken to me. I took her back to my own room, laying her on the king sized bed, right where I'd been because I knew it would be warm. I grabbed a large fleece blanket out of the bedding box under the window and draped it over her. It felt like literally climbing into a bed of sins and convictions as I nuzzled in next to her. I pulled her close to me, looking right in her eyes.
"Never," I whispered.
I took forever getting back to sleep. I had never spent the night with a woman before. I stroked her body with my fingertips gently as Orla's eyes fluttered closed and she eventually didn't open them again. I couldn't say I had the best night's sleep possible. I was far too conscious of her body being so close to mine to enjoy it. But it was definitely... different. I felt so at home. It felt so perfect. It was definitely where my imprint needed me to be.