Chapter 7- Nightmares
Hello. This chapter was one of my favorites to write, because the thoughts came so easily. Hope you enjoy.
A week had gone by, but no one had seen or found Ethan. Claire and Charlie watched Adam closely and tried to keep things normal around him. At least, as normal as possible. Charlie often found Claire to be very clingy to him, he knew why though. She was scared. She thought Charlie would go after Ethan, and she didn't want to lose him. Claire would cry sometimes, and wake up pouring down sweat after a nightmare. Charlie would hold her close and tell her everything was going to be fine. He would ask her what the dream was about, but she would just look at him. Then she would say, "It was just a dream." He wondered what could get her so upset, and why she couldn't tell him.
"Where's Adam?" Charlie asked Claire as she sat down next to him.
"With Jack and Kate. They thought we could use a break, but they said to stay close." She replied kissing his cheek and resting her head on his chest.
"So what do you want to do now?" Charlie asked smiling.
"I don't know, but it's getting dark… we should stay here. I hate staying here though, I wish we could stay at our own camp."
"Me too luv." Charlie said planting a gentle kiss on her forehead.
"I wish they could find him. I want everything to be how it was. I want to be able to take Adam for walks again."
"I wish we could do that too. Don't worry, they will find Ethan."
"How can you be so sure?"
"I have faith, thanks to you luv."
"I love you, Charlie."
"I love you too… How about we turn in early, and take Adam for a short walk in the morning."
"We can't… it isn't safe."
"I won't let anything happen." Claire looked at him and smiled.
"Alright, I trust you, Charlie."
"I know luv."
Charlie and Claire closed their eyes and drifted off to sleep. When they woke up in the morning, they went for a walk with Jack, Kate, and Adam. Jack and Kate took Adam to see Hurley when they were done with their walk. Charlie and Claire sat down on the beach together looking out at the water. Claire rested her head on Charlie's shoulder, and Charlie had his arm around her back.
"Luv, I noticed you had a nightmare again. Do you want to tell me about it?"
"It was just a dream."
"Claire, you have told me that over and over again. Why don't you just tell me what it was about."
"Charlie, I'm fine. Please don't pry."
"Don't pry? Claire, I want to help you."
"I don't need help, our son needs help. Someone needs to find Ethan."
"Don't change the subject, luv. Please, tell me about your dream. Don't you trust me?"
"Of course I trust you."
"Then let me help you.'
"I told you, I don't need help!" Claire said standing up and walking towards the jungle. Charlie got up and grabbed her wrist gently to stop her. They were about three yards away from the entrance of the jungle. Claire turned to face Charlie.
"Claire, you do need help. You wake up every night pouring down sweat and in tears. What is it about these dreams that make you so upset?" Claire looked at Charlie as the tears reached her eyes and flowed down her cheeks.
"Every night I dream the same thing. Something so horrible…"
"What do you dream, luv?"
"I dream that you die." Claire said as the tears kept coming.
"What?"
"I don't want to lose you Charlie."
"You aren't going to lose me. I'm not going to die. It was just a dream."
"Maby."
"No luv, not maby. It was just a dream… What else happens?"
"I am on the beach, and no one else is around. I am alone. I hear Adam scream for me, he is in the jungle. I run towards his screams, until I reach him. He is standing there, covered in blood. I call out for you, but you don't come. I ask Adam which way you went, and he points farther into the jungle. I pick him up and call out your name again, running in the direction Adam pointed. I then see your body… covered in blood. I put Adam down and run to you. I put your head in my lap and cry. I hear someone behind me, so I turn around to see Ethan holding Adam. He tells me to follow him, otherwise he will kill Adam. I follow him to the beach. I look out to see the beach covered in bodies, everyone is dead. Then I wake up…" Claire was crying hysterically. Charlie pulled her against him and kissed her forehead.
"I'm not going to die."
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because I said I would never leave you, and I plan to keep my promise."
"You and your promises." Claire said managing to let out a little laugh.
"I'm a man of my word."
"I know." Claire said with a slight smile.
"Claire! Charlie!" Kate screamed running to them.
"What's wrong?" Charlie asked worried.
"Ethan, he attacked Jack. He has Adam."
"Which way did he go?" Charlie asked quickly. Kate pointed in a diagonal line at the jungle.
"That way." Charlie ran off in a hurry.
"Charlie no!" Claire screamed. Jack ran up to them with a big cut on his forehead. Claire collapsed in Kate's arms.
"Oh my god… Claire! Claire! Are you okay? Claire wake up!" Kate shouted as she tapped Claire's cheeks gently. Claire didn't wake up.
SO… hope you liked it.