Bite Your Tongue
by DarkHonda aka Tal
Chapter Eleven:
She decided to sleep in the common room tonight; she didn't trust her bed to lull her into a safe sleep anymore, there were too many nights of waking up screaming behind her and just wanted them to stop. On the other hand, her arm has healed in the course of the three weeks between her amazing day at the park with Ryan and present time. She was actually almost done with physiotherapy.
She made sure she was wrapped up in her blanket and tried to empty her head to prevent any dreams. She was terrified of another nightmare that would end up with her death and screaming. Slowly, she gave in to her tiredness, her eyelids becoming heavier until she fell asleep.
She was at the Aquabase now, sitting in Dana's infirmary room only her bed was empty. She was waiting for something; The silence was disturbed by a faraway hiss and Kelsey stood up on her feet, anticipating the arrival of the huge snake, she wanted to morph but her morpher wasn't on her. She shuddered, knowing that this time ,too, she couldn't run away or evade and then – it came. Huge, like always, terrifying, and she couldn't so anything; panic swarm her senses and she was frozen, watching as the slick, disgusting creature wrapped itself around her, crushing her bones, but not too much. Kelsey wondered about the decreased pressure and looked up at the creature's black eyes.
It was then that it bit her neck, the venom slipping into her body, ice cold and burning, she screamed.
"AAARRGHHH!" she yelled and woke up, there were tears in her eyes, cold sweat everywhere and an overwhelming fear she didn't know how to deal with. She sat up on the couch, lost, and started to cry, hugging her knees to her, shivering.
She was just too scared and it was so childish – a nightmare. Even though there was nothing childish about her nightmares, it felt strange to think about talking about it to someone else. She was lost and alone and scared. She was still crying, moving back and forth. Helpless.
"Kelsey?" Ryan's voice asked and in a second he was sitting next to her, hugging her close, allowing her to lean her head on his chest.
"What happened, Kelsey? Why are you crying?" He was so concerned now, she could tell, his arms held her tightly and his lips murmured words of comfort that were to low to hear.
"I have nightmares, well, nightmare. It's the same one every time I close my eyes." She admitted. "It's so stupid, but I can't help it. I wake up screaming every night and tonight, it was scarier tonight." She sniffled. "I tried everything, I can't make it stop." She cried, tired.
Ryan pressed her closer against him.
"Tell me." Was the only thing he said.
"It always begins when I'm alone in some place, forest, cave, even Dana's room in the infirmary." Kelsey sniffled. "I always feel I need to keep guard and then something happens and this giant snake comes after me. I don't have my morpher and there is nobody to help me, I run if I can and it comes after me. It always ends up with the snake crushing me and suffocating me, but tonight it bit me, too." She couldn't help the new stream of tears.
"Oh, Kelsey." He murmured and kissed her forehead, trying to soothe her.
"I never had a problem with snakes but since this dream… I'm so frightened." She gasped for air, Ryan held her close and she rested her head on his chest, trying to let his presence calm her. She knew he would protect her, always.
"When did the nightmares began?"
"About the time you came back." Her voice was muffled by his shirt.
"Kelsey, it's been three months. Does it happen every night?" He sounded deeply worried.
She nodded and he braced her tighter.
"You should've told me." He amended gently.
"It's so childish, I – I didn't know what to think…"
"Kelsey, I had nightmares, too, I think you can trust me to understand what it's like." He said responsibly. "Now, let's go, we're sleeping in your room tonight."
"I don't want to sleep." Her lips told his shirt.
"You have to. Come on." He said firmly and got up, pulling her with him. He led her to her room, dialing the code and opening the door. Once inside, he locked the door and looked at Kelsey expectantly.
"Get into bed." He ordered.
"I need a shower," she murmured, "Cold sweat."
"Okay, I'll make my own bed." He said and Kelsey nodded and went to the closet, choosing a black training pants and a yellow sports bra. She then entered the shower while Ryan helped himself to the blankets and pillows that used to be his own bed not too long ago.
*
When she exited the bathroom, wearing her new set of clothes, she saw him shirtless on his back, laying on his improvised bed and toying with a small yellow bear.
"Joel got it for me right before you came back, there was this Medieval Festival downtown and I didn't want to go. So when everyone came back, each one brought me something to cheer me up, they're the best friends ever." She smiled and Ryan smiled back.
"And you. Thank you for doing this." Her cheeks heat up again, luckily it was dimmed.
"You did this for me, too." He said softly.
"Still." She insisted and Ryan sighed.
"Get into bed, Kelsey." He smirked and Kelsey rolled her eyes and did as he said; after digging her way in between the covers, she sighed.
"Ryan, I'm scared." She murmured.
"Take my hand." He said in a low voice, offering his hand;
She took it, her fingers entwining with his and slowly she relaxed.
"Good night, Ryan." She mumbled.
"Sweet dreams, little one." He murmured as they both fell into a sweet slumber.
*
She woke up naturally, opening her eyes and blinking; remembering the events of last the night she turned her head to see if Ryan was there. He was there, alright, awake and still holding her hand.
"Good morning." He greeted with a smile.
"'Mornin', can't see what's good in it." She muttered and Ryan laughed.
"It's a new day." He smiled. "I thought you were a morning person?"
"I used to be, but after the nightmares… Well, I just can't get enough sleep." She shrugged and yawned, covering her mouth with her hand. "See?"
He smiled.
"I should go to check on Dana and wash myself in my own room." He told her and Kelsey blushed.
"Sorry I kept you –"
"Don't be, I'm happy to be here. I didn't want to leave you alone with your dreams." His voice was soft and Kelsey felt her heart giving in to him with every second she spent with him.
"Thank you." She whispered while she watched him get up and quickly fold the several covers he slept on. He was silent for a moment, while he finished fixing everything into an organized pile, then he smiled and caressed Kelsey's cheek.
"I'll do anything for you."
A/N: This was kind of short, but this is it for today. I wonder what's in store for tomorrow. *checking* Oh, that. Ooooh, things get even more intimate. Review!
