Héctor wakes with a start, barely stiffling a scream. He's shaking, unable to stop as he looks around. His eyes adjust and he sees that he's in his bedroom, his mind calming down at the reality.
He'd had the dream again. The one where Imelda was chasing him, fist raised, shouting for him to stay away. Her words come back to him as he tries to stop trembling.
I don't ever want to see you again. Stay away from mi familia!
Héctor's eyes land on Imelda, sleeping peacefully next to him, holding his hand softly. Seeing her causes him to panic again.
He quickly silences those fears.
It was only a dream. You're fine.
But still.
He quietly gets out of bed, careful not to wake Imelda as he walks out of their room and goes downstairs.
He steps just outside the front door, looking up at the dark sky containig only a few stars tonight. Héctor leans against the door and sighs.
It's not unusual for him to have nightmares like this. When he first learned that Imelda hated him, her anguished face filling his mind each night.
Even now, after she reconciled him and learned the truth of his disapperance all those years ago, he still gets traumatized by them every now and then.
He never tells anyone about this; he has never been one to worry people. Instead he hides it. He hates it when people's faces show sympathy for him, because he can tell that they're deeply worried about him.
To him, there's nothing worse than burdening people with his problems when they already have their own.
Gazing up at the stars, he hears Imelda's cold voice again.
Stay away, Héctor.
Héctor shudders.
"What are you doing out here?"
Héctor jumps, whipping around and staring at Imelda in fear.
Imelda widens her eyes. "Why are you out here again?" she asks. "It's late."
"I know." Héctor tries to hide his trembling, the yawn that wants to escape his mouth.
Imelda face becomes concerned. "Are you okay? This is the the third time I've seen you out here."
Héctor steels himself. "I'm fine."
Imelda frowns. "You're always fine."
Héctor sighs. "I promise. I was just... distracted."
Imelda nods and turns toward the doorway. "Let's go back up. Unlike you, I don't have endless energy."
Héctor forces a laugh. Imelda squeezes his hand, and Héctor startles. Imelda tosses him a cautious look as they walk up the stairs.
When they lay down, Imelda sighs. "Buenos noches, Héctor."
Even after she falls asleep, he still stays wide awake.