Chapter 1.
(Hello guys my names DJ, let me know if you're enjoying the story, leave a comment or DM me, whether it's constructive criticism or appreciation. I love it all. I love you all. Enjoy the story! #Happyreading
(I said I wanted steak for dinner not chicken! Are you dumb or stupid?! You can't do anything right! *Punch* I *punch* oughta' *punch* kill *punch* you! Right in front of the kids and make them watch! *kick*. GET OVER HERE NOW! *clash*.
Hailey grips the thin cotton sheets covering her bed as the crackle of thunder jolts her upright. Her shaking knuckles are almost white and she can feel the shambling weight of anxiousness hovering.
It's not real, It's not real, he's not real.
She repeatedly whispers the words over and over until she could actually believe them.
She drags out a long breath and sinks her face into her palms, sighing.
Her Nightmares hadn't been this bad in a while. She knew she'd seen things, experienced things that stuck with her. Heck, just being a cop came with its difficulties.
She'd just kept telling herself that the nightmares were just a part of it all, a part of her now. Lately, it had become somewhat like a daily routine. Wake up, brush teeth, shower, work, nightmare. Not always in that particular order, either.
After reassuring herself she pops two pain pills and she's sleeping again.
That is until the booming thunder wakes her up once more. This time it was louder, closer and more intimate than before.
Now she can't even manage to sit up. It was like a heavy weight was pressing down on her. She was helpless, paralyzed, literally frozen with fear.
As the tears stream down her unmoving face, she takes a deep breath and tries another method.
Okay Hailey. She says in her head.
What do I hear?
What do I smell?
What do I feel?
She could hear the stray dogs barking in the alley. She could smell the fresh earthly rain before a heavy downpour. She could feel the soft cool blankets beneath her palms.
Lastly, what could she see?
She always struggled with this one. Her eyes never wanted to cooperate. Through the darkness of her lids, all she could see is her father hovering over her, cigar in the right hand, belt in the left.
Wake up Hailey! It's not real! You're dreaming! She screams in her head.
In an instant her eyes shoot open and she yanks herself backwards to lie flat on her back. Breathing hard, She runs her fingers over her sweat covered takes a moment but slowly she could feel the numbing sensation subside. Shes relaxes as the relief of reality washes over her.
It was a tip she learned in therapy when she was younger. The therapist called it 'sensational grounding.' It calmed her and established her surroundings.
She didn't live inside of the nightmare.
"It wasn't real." She mumbles to herself, "he wasn't real".
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It was now seven A.M and Hailey hadn't been back to sleep yet. She sits on the couch soundlessly, listening to the heavy rain patter against the windows.
Just as she's about to close her eyes a hard knock on her door instantly makes her jump. Seconds go by and the knocking gets more intense.
"Hold on." She mutters, making her way over to the door.
She's stopped dead in her tracks when she sees the knob start to rotate on its own.
Taking a few steps back, she grabs her taser, preparing herself for whoever was on the other side of the door.
It creaks, slowly opening.
"Hailey?"
She knew that voice. He peeks his head from behind the door.
"Hey."
"Why didn't you answer? I've been knocking for like five minutes." He casually tucks her spare she'd given him back into his pocket.
"Hey Jay." She doesn't even think to answer his question.
When he sees the distressed look on her face he immediately starts to apologize, "Hey, I tried to knock-," he looks back at the door.
"I know I heard you."
His eyebrows rise,"Why didn't you answer it?"
"I was in bed Jay," she folds her arms, "what do you want?" That last question came out way more aggressive than she intended.
He nods, willingly taking it, knowing he's done it to her way too many times to count.
"What'd you forget?"
Hailey gives him a quizzical look.
He can sense her confusion.
"Bears tickets, great seats….won em' in a raffle," he rambles on.
"Oh yea," she runs her fingers through her hair,"Let me get ready."
She lightly placed the taser on the coffee table.
His eyes move from the device to her, "You okay?"
"I'm fine."
" You sure?"He took a step forward and she retreats.
"Jay, I'm good, just stay there," she flashes her palms, "make yourself comfortable."
He takes a seat on the couch, watching her make her way to her room.
He was concerned. He knew his partner through and through. Something was definitely off with her today.
(Whatd you guys think? Let me know! Stay tuned for chapter 2!)