The Worst Thing

She was gaining on the two of you, locking and slamming each door she passed. "Why Bobby? Why did you do this to me?" He was on the verge of a breakdown. "I'd have rather died myself than hurt you."

"But you did hurt me. You shoved that knife into me...again and again. You watched me bleed...watched me die." This conversation is becoming less than productive. You knew the story well. Bobby's face fell, "You were possessed baby. You were rabid. And I didn't know what I know now. I didn't know how to save you."

"You're lying. You wanted me dead. If you'd loved me, you would have found a way!" Her outburst was a call to action for you. Forcefully, the door slid in her face and you turned to reason with Bobby. "Bobby, listen to me. This is a dream. Your house, your wife-all of it-it's a nightmare"

"...I killed her."

"This is your dream. You can wake up. Hell, you can do anything."

"Just leave me alone. Let her kill me already."

"Look at me. She kills you, she kills us. I need you. I need you to be there for me. Can you do that?" The pounding continued and Bobby's pupils dilated, focusing on you for the first time since you got here. The door quieted, but still continued shaking. It's working. "Karen. Tell me about your best memory of Karen." Almost instantly, the room went quiet. You peeked behind the door to find a normal looking woman staring back. Her clothes were no longer torn and she looked at Bobby, face brightening. He reciprocated the motion and mumbled her name. It seemed to be going well...

Until it didn't.

The blood began to seep through her clothes yet again and the color was draining from her form. His guilt was winning.

"Bobby, hey, I'm here. I still need you." Wife was a bust...what's plan B? "How long have you had this place?"

"Since I was a boy."

"Okay, tell me a story then. What's your best memory here. Think it as hard as you can." Let's pray it's not Karen-related. The walls seemed to morph into the tattered wallpaper you were used to. The nightstand near the couch diverged into a rusty brown color you remembered. On top, a familiar picture emerged. Wait...my dance team photo was only framed until I knocked it over senior year… The front door closed to reveal...yourself...well, not yourself now. God, I had to be what sixteen, seventeen? You looked to your left to see that Bobby had vanished only to reappear next to the teenager you once were. They were chatting, smiles apparent on their faces. You didn't need to place the memory. It was always close to your heart.

"You were so right! It was ten times easier when you just wait them out. The vamps pretty much just lined up for us once the sun was out." He patted her on the back. "To be frank with ya Y/N/N, ya didn't need me there at all. I've never seen such a clean sweep. Damn near beat my record. A real natural!" You saw the pride behind his eyes. He continued, "I heard there's some demon omens near Edenton, North Carolina. You gonna be okay if I head up and take care of it this weekend?" Hiding your feelings had always been a natural talent. But you could see it painted all over your teenage face. Fear. Loss. Abandonment. "Yea. Definitely."

The room again began to melt, changing the scene. Day became night and clear skies grew cloudy. You found yourself in the hallway that you had paced for years of your life. The bedroom door stood to the left and Bobby's further down. Oh no. You knew what happened next. Closing your eyes, you braced yourself for the wails that would soon ring through the entire house. Weakness is never pretty.

The speed at which Bobby's door opened was both shocking and impressive. He ran to your room and sat gently on the foot of the bed. "Y/N. Y/N, it's Bobby." The tender shaking stirred you from the nightmare. There were tears and sweat staining your face. "Bobby? Did I wake you? I'm sorry…"

"Nah, I was already up. You save them this time? I bet evil clown apocalypse dreams seem pretty good right about now, huh?" The small exhale you gave in acknowledgement was far from genuine. You took a moment before answering. "Nope, I never do." He paused, thinking to himself and muttering, "I shoulda been there."

"I don't blame you. I said some pretty terrible things."

"Don't matter. I promised you and your Mama. You good to go back to bed?" Your teenage self nodded, but you knew better. She's terrified. Bobby got up and walked to the doorframe. It was the first time you had seen his face from this angle. He looked tormented. I never knew… He turned back around. "What d'ya say that tomorrow we go over demon basics?"

"I don't know. I was really looking forward to the Wendigo section."

"Clearly...Wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that you've avoided that topic since you got here would it?." You answered him with a glare. He walked back to the bed and put a comforting hand on your knee. "Y'know, I ain't gonna think any less of ya just because you admit you're scared."

"I'm not. It just wouldn't change anything."

"Maybe not. But you know what will?"

"Marty McFly's Delorean?"

"Cute. But no. Knowing that the worst thing's already happened to you. The only harm it can do now's remind ya."

"And how is that supposed to help?"

"Don't know the exact science behind it, all's I know is once I started thinkin' it, I slept a lot better."

"No harm in trying I guess. After all, worst thing's already happened right?" He smirked, but it wasn't enough for you. Quickly, you wrapped your hands around his neck, basking in his warmth. From an outside perspective, it was more awkward than you remembered. When was the last time Bobby hugged someone? "Woah! Alright now, take it easy, we ain't the huggin' kinda family." Experiencing this moment and watching it were extremely different. The little details weren't clouded from emotion or exhaustion. Specifically, the look on Bobby's face. You could've sworn the man went misty-eyed. Before you could confirm, he stood and faced you. Today you. You shared a look, a smile, and the entire scene faded to black as you both reappeared in the original nightmare scene, now quiet and empty.

"The worst thing has already happened to you Bobby. All it can do is remind you."He pursed his lips and wrapped you in his arms this time, giving you a good squeeze. You closed your eyes with comfort, only to open them to the ugly wallpaper of your motel room. His favorite memory...was me. The Y/N from the dream would've dug deeper, finding any reason to contradict that statement - but she was also oblivious. Watching it as an adult, you understood why the memory was so cherished. He said "family". It was the first time. You had missed it then, but vowed to never do so again.