Ross's POV
I pulled back from Hayley after she had no reaction but a slight jump after I hugged her. "Hayley" I said "Are you okay?" she nodded dumbly looking at her feet, and refusing to make eye contact. I turned her head to face me. I was looking down into her subconscious, but I was getting this numb feeling as I went in further and further. I pulled back and realized she was not feeling ANYTHING anymore. Holy s***, what did I do?! I left her alone for literally 2 seconds and I find her just the shell of what she used to be. Her eyes were blank when I looked back at them, and slowly they started getting back the life that I always loved looking at. She looked down and slowly shook her head, as if trying to bring herself back to reality. I sat back on my heels and waited for the Hayley I knew to come back. It didn't take her long and then she looked up and saw me sitting there and attack hugged me which knocked me off balance and we ended up on the ground. I was laying there and she was just laying her head on my bare chest. Her face was burning up a little and I started stroking her hair. She slowly calmed down and I could hear her even breaths as she fell asleep. Eventually I sat up and carefully moved Hayley's head onto my legs. I looked down at her innocent face and could never think that anything or anyone would be coming to hurt this delicate little child... although... that's not a very good choice of words... seeing as though she isn't very little and she is almost 18... so not much of a kid either. I slowly got up and picked Hayley up off the floor. I walked her upstairs and brought her to her room. I put her in her bed and was about to leave like I always do, but before I could leave the room, I thought better. I turned around and went and sat next to Hayley's bed. "I'm not leaving you again" I whispered softly and kissed her forehead. I leaned my head back against the mattress and slowly drifted off myself.
