Clare

The sound of a baby crying led me out of my bedroom and into the hall where a bassinet sat eerily at the end of it. I walked cautiously to the crib and when I was close enough I saw a baby squirming under a blanket. I felt silly for being so scared of a precious little baby. It poked its little arm out from under the blanket and it read "Edwards"… This is my baby. I noticed that there was blood starting to leak through the blanket so I unwrapped the baby only to find that it wasn't a baby at all but an undeveloped fetus that was rotted and bloody. I dropped it on impulse and as soon as it hit the ground a strange metamorphosis happened. It grew and grew until it was Jake Martin. That cruel smile spread across his face and before I knew it I was being raped and I experienced the process of dying but just when I was ready to take my last breath… I felt something sharp prick my feet.

I woke up to see that I was standing in the middle of the street. Cars were zooming by me blowing. I was standing on chunks of glass form a car wreck so my feet got cut. I looked around and it was still night. I must have sleep walked down here. I started crying, not only because of the terrifying dream but because of the dangerous predicament I woke up in. I went back into my apartment and I called Eli. I felt bad about waking him but I need him right now.

"Did you call to talk dirty?"

"Eli please come over…. I'm scared."

"Clare? Are you okay?"

"No. I'm not. Please come over right now…."

"I'll be right there."

Within fifteen minutes Eli was knocking on my door. I was still in shock and trembling. Maybe I was just making a big deal out of nothing…but maybe not. I told him all about the dream and then I told him where I woke up.

"I'm crazy Eli."

"You are not crazy Clare. This is odd and the dreams…they will keep coming but you know what, we will make it through this. It's probably just the stress… We will be leaving for my cabin in a few days. A break from the city is what you need."

"Yeah, maybe I'll sleep walk into a wolf den."

"Stop it… Do you want some cocoa? For your nerves?"

"Yes… that would be wonderful. You are a really great guy Eli."

"Well I wouldn't be that great of a guy if you weren't such a great girl."

I tried calming myself down but it was hard. The hot chocolate helped a little but ultimately it was Eli, wrapping his arms around me that eased my anxiety. I fell asleep in his arms.

The next morning I woke up and Eli was already gone. I hopped on my computer to see the results of my exams. I passed all of my classes. I was so happy that I leaped in the air. However, just as soon as the happiness hindered just a bit the negativity from last night sank in. It's a good thing I have therapy today.

I got dressed and I went into the office. It was warm and decorated with snowmen, nativity scenes and Santa's. I was the first patient of the day so I got to go on back.

"Clare, how've you been lately?"

"Not good. Last night I had a horrible dream but that isn't what was scary… I sleep walked into the middle of the street."

"I can see why you are upset about that. Sometimes sleepwalkers are run over by mistake. Have you been stressed lately?"

"Yes… but its normal right?"

"Well with your trauma and the stress that may have caused you to sleepwalk. Just…take the load off and see if that helps but if it persists then I will write you a prescription for klonopin."

I talked to him some more about the dream and the drugs he was talking about. I left feeling a little better but still shook up. I could have died. I guess I shouldn't be that weirded out though. I've been closer than that to death before.

I went to work only to have the front counter blocked by Spinner while I was trying to get my apron and order pad.

"Spinner I have to get my things. Please move."

"No can do Clare… I got strict orders from Eli not to let you work today so just go on home."

"What! Since when does Eli make the rules? You are the owner! I'm working."

"I don't think so… I've already called in Peter to take your shift. Look I'm not supposed to say anything but I think he's got something special planned."

"Fine well… here is your Christmas card. I probably won't see you before the holidays. Tell Emma I said happy holidays and kiss the baby for me."

"Will do. Oh and here's your Christmas bonus."

"Thanks."

I left the place a little flustered that I'd walked there for nothing, but I was also excited that Eli obviously had something up his sleeve. I went to his place and I saw Adam getting his things to leave. He didn't look happy about it.

"Adam where are you going?"

"I'm being evicted for the night so I'm going to your apartment… Is your key still under the mat?"

"Yes."

"Well good… I hope you have snacks and liquor."

"I hope you have money for groceries…"

He chuckled before walking out the door. I heard the sound of sizzling so I went into the kitchen where Eli was frying up something. It looked like some kind of chicken but I couldn't tell.

"So you got me excused from work?"

"Yes I did. I hope you like homemade chicken stir fry."

"You know I do."

While he flipped and tossed the chicken and veggies I put the rice on. It was relaxing cooking with Eli, even though we did argue about how much teriyaki to put in the dish. Things couldn't have gotten better… until they got worse.

Eli

"Drew slow down you aren't making any sense!"

"Adam got shot! He… I don't know what happened… The police just called me. They are taking him to East General!"

Clare and I grabbed our coats and rushed out the door, only having time to turn off the stove. By the time we made it to the hospital Mrs. Torres and Drew were there panicking. I was panicking too. Being calm just wasn't an option.

"What happened?"

"Adam was in a convenience store and the place got robbed. He was just going in for a pack of fucking gum. It was in his hand when the meds came to his aid."

"Where did he get shot?"

"The doctor says in his chest. They are operating now."

The next person to run through the door was Fiona. There was mascara running down her face and she stumbled a little as she tried to run in her expensive high heels.

"Is he okay! Please! Tell me something! Please!"

"Fiona calm down… we don't know."

"Mrs. T I'm so scared!"

"I know… all we can do is wait."

That's what we did. Clare and I sat quietly holding hands. Nobody was speaking yet there was no tension in the air only worry and sorrow. Adam is my best friend. If I lose him I will lose it. He's the brother I always wanted but never got. He's part of my family.

The doctors came out and spoke to Mrs. Torres quietly. When he walked away she turned around with a smile on her face.

"What?"

"He's going to be alright! It went straight through his shoulder. It did break it but they've pinned it back together. He's going to be okay!"

Everybody breathed a sigh of relief. Especially Fiona who was still crying. We all crowded into the little room he was in. His hair was all over his head and he looked out of it. This would be a prime opportunity to get blackmail pictures but I won't because I'm so damn happy he's alive.

"Look, I got shot. Somebody better have flowers."

Everybody laughed at Adam's statement because he was obviously high as a kite off of the hospital's good dope. After a few minutes of visiting him we bid him goodbye and let Mrs. Torres and Fiona fuss over him.

Clare and I went back to my place where the half cooked stir fry had been waiting for hours. We both decided it would just be better to go out to eat, so we did and it was still just as special as it would have been with me cooking and we didn't even have to fight over teriyaki sauce.

So I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I just wanted to add Adam getting shot into this piece because that really disturbed me Thursday night. I was like "Adam! NOOOOO!" Any who, please review and as always thanks for reading.