AN: Thanks for your great feedback guys!
PART 9
Isabel twisted around in bed, her back soaking with sweat. She clutched at the sheets and pillow as she tried to make the demons inside her head vanish. She couldn't seem to wake up. She clutched at her throat as she felt the churning water pull her down. She was unable to breathe. She fought frantically against the current, finally breaking free. She let out a scream for help, hoping someone would hear her. But she was pulled under again. She could hear someone call out her name.
"Izzy, Izzy!"
Who was that? Help me! She screamed. She felt herself being shaken. She fought to open her eyes.
"Isabel, wake up!" Alex yelled, shaking her gently. His heart was still thumping from the scream that had awoken him. Why isn't she waking up? he wondered. Finally, after what seemed like eternity Isabel opened her eyes. Alex gave a sigh of relief as she sat up, gasping.
"Oh Alex!" Isabel sobbed as she held on to him, pulling him closer.
He held her close, "Shh…it was just a dream Iz. It's okay." He soothed as he stroked her hair.
She was shaking so badly. That dream… "It was horrible." Isabel whispered. "I felt as if I couldn't breathe. I felt like I was drowning, the water, the churning water roaring over me. I couldn't see which way was up and there was no one there to save me! There was no one there to save me Alex!" She cried as he held her.
"It was just a dream." Alex told her, like he was telling a kid. But it seemed to be working. She was calming down.
"But it seemed so real. I kept on struggling to get away and was just pulled deeper…"
"I will always be there to save you Izzy. Always." Alex told her.
He gently put her back to bed. "No try to go back to sleep. I guarantee you will not have that dream again tonight."
Isabel nodded, believing him for some reason. "Can you stay with me Alex? At least for a while?" she asked.
Alex nodded and got in bed beside her. He held her close, murmuring soft words to her. She soon fell back to sleep, holding him close to her.
Alex watched her sleep with a sad smile on his face. He brushed a kiss against her temple. "I love you Isabel."
****