Sorry for the confusing punctuation – hope this helps clarify!
Add the usual – I'm just sharing like a good girl!
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He'd lived through this dream so many times, he'd learned to simply dread it rather than be terrified by it. That was something the asylum had done for him. The dream had come less frequently as the years progressed, but he still felt the horrid rush of emotion that was a brew of fear, disgust and resignation.
Tonight, however, something was different. There was a scent that was familiar, but shouldn't be associated with what he knew was going to follow. He shivered with the cold as he gazed fearfully at the slivers of light coming through the cracks in the old wood door. He inhaled deeply trying to place the smell that was new to the mix of moldy hay and horse manure. It made him think of warm sun dried silk.
Clarice!
He glanced down at the warm little body that was nestled against his side.
Mischa!
But something was wrong. He touched the soft curls that were auburn instead of chocolate brown. The little head came up at his touch and sleepy eyes blinked open. He was greeted by familiar slate blue instead of violet. At that moment, the door crashed open and the harsh voices of the soldiers swamped their little world. He didn't even have time to register the usual gut-wrenching details as the little girl was ripped from his grasp.
"No!" he cried out. "Mischa! Not Clarice!" but they were oblivious to their error and the wood door slammed in his face. He pounded against the warped boards until he felt the slivers draw blood from his clenched fists. This was wrong, so terribly wrong! He still had time to save her; they weren't supposed to take her yet!
He woke with a start, the thud of an ax ringing in his ear. He was unsure of his surroundings, but his breathing calmed slightly when he recognized his library. The dream had been so real. In fact he could still smell her, and he cold and sore all over. He glanced down in confusion at the blankets that were covering him and then his gaze met hers. She was alive and she was by his side. He tried to reach towards her cheek but his exhaustion was such that his eyes closed before he could make the required effort. He felt her catch his hand before he descended again into dreamless sleep.
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Ok, no more computer after tomorrow, so this is it for a while. I promise I will post more as soon as I'm relocated and have an internet connection again. Thanks for continuing to read my attempts at being a writer. Luna.
