Disclaimer: I do not own Fablehaven or any recognizable characters.
Chapter 20
Seth's POV
I woke to a sharp pain behind my eyes. I sat up straight, holding my head in my hands. My breath came in short gasps.
I knew what was happening. I couldn't go back there. It would kill me this time, I knew it.
Don't let it end like this I pleaded silently to no one in particular. Not like I would have been able to talk anyway.
I felt myself start to fade, losing focus and control of my mind.
I did the only thing I could think to do.
I screamed.
Kendra's POV
A shout from across the room brought me out of my sleep in an instant.
"Seth?" I called, knowing by the voice it was him.
He sat bolt upright on his bed, breathing raggedly and holding his head in his hands as if to keep it together.
I ran over beside him and put a hand on his shoulder "Seth, can you hear me?"
He met my eyes in the split second before collapsing into me.
I held him upright and hoped someone had heard, that I wasn't alone with him in the dark.
I couldn't leave him.
It was its own kind of trapped.
I heard voices in the hall and let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
It'll be okay.
I tried to mentally send the message to Seth but knew he wouldn't get it.
But I needed the convincing, too.
Seth's POV
I saw the flash of metallic grey and closed my eyes again, like the "I can't see you so you can't see me" rule.
Childish, but comforting.
I heard the familiar scrape of talons on the cold tile and braced myself for the worst.
I heard, no felt the creature grow ever closer until I could hear it's uneven breathing in my ear.
"Who are you?" I whispered, not really expecting an answer.
I almost wish I didn't get one.
The monster leaned even closer and whispered "I'm your worst nightmare."
I woke to a frantic Kendra shaking my shoulder.
She relaxed visibly when I held her gaze.
I looked around. Everyone was here, all crowded near me. They all looked at me in sympathetic silence. I sat up.
Warren pulled a mirror from his pocket and handed it to me (I had my suspicions as to why Warren had a mirror, but decided not to voice them).
I took it and looked at myself.
Three left.
Not long now.