So frighteningly real, but it didn't make any sense. Logically, he knew where he was. No where near Hazanko, but it was too vivid to be anything from his imagination.
He resumed his harsh panting; vision still hazy. He could still fell those hands around his neck. Preventing the entrance of air into his lungs. He tried to reach for his throat, but found himself held firmly within strong arms.
"Jim, calm down." But he ignored the voices. Struggling to free himself from his captor's grasp.
"Damn it, Jim. It's just us."
But Jim was panicking, still trying to breathe. "Jim, you can calm down, now." A soft voiced managed to reach his ears. He could picture Melfina standing next to him; the image bringing a serene feeling. He began to relax, taking more controlled breaths. He felt Gene's grasp slack as his vision finally began to clear.
"Jimmy?" Gene had no sooner loosened his grip, when Aisha appeared in front of him. "Did you have a nightmare or something?"
He looked above at the voice that rumbled above his head. "I don't know what you did, but you scared me. All of us, in fact." Gene looked worriedly into Jim's eyes.
"What happened?" Jim made sure he at least appeared to be confused. Which he was, but he didn't think it would be beneficial to say anything at this point. Let them make their own assumptions.
"You don't remember?" Jim now noticed that he was on his bed, still in Gene's arms. Aisha sat on the bed, as well, but Melfina sat on a nearby chair.
He felt Gene's hand upon his forehead. "What are you – Aniki? Get out of my face." He managed to say wearily as he moved Gene's hand aside.
"Are you okay Jim?" Though Aisha ran her hands through his hair, it was done half-heartily, almost as a comforting gesture. "You had us all worried."
"I guess I'm fine. What time is it?"
"A little after one." Suzuka said softly, afterward taking a sip from her tea. She sat conspicuously in the corner of his room.
Jim almost jumped at the suddenness in which he heard the voice. For some reason, he was uneasy around her, now. Another thing that didn't make much sense. For now, he would blame it on lack of sleep. Maybe a walk would do him good. He'd been trapped in the inn long enough.
By now, Gene moved to let him sit on his own. He peered down at himself, unsurprised he was still in his clothes. He could remember not bothering to change last night.
Carefully, so as not concern his friends, Jim removed himself from the bed. Stretching his arms until he heard two unnerving pops. Causing no one but Melfina to look away.
"I think I'm going to take a walk." He really needed to think without the curiosity of his friends surrounding him. However, it seemed they had other plans.
Gene, the most adamant, of course. "Whoa there, buddy. You're not going anywhere."
"This late at night?" Aisha pounced on him as he tried to edge toward the door. Which would have been fruitless, regardless. He found that Suzuka's conspicuous position was actually more convenient, as she was near the door.
"I can take care of myself." Four eyes glanced at him dubiously. "We're in a safe district. Besides, there's nothing out there, anyway." He needed to get away. He couldn't stay here anymore.
"James." Gene now stood beside Jim, giving him a penetrative glare.
"Yes." Jim sighed with impatience as Gene led him back to the bed.
"We need to talk." He felt their probing glances. Even Suzuka looked as though her interest was peaked.
"I'm really sorry that I woke everyone up, but it was just a bad dream." It wasn't necessarily the truth, but he didn't know what else he could say. "Honest."
It was awkwardly comfortable as Aisha pulled him into her arms. "It had to be more than that, Jim." The awkwardness stemming from the fact that his face was pressed heavily against her chest.
He felt a soft hand resting on his arm and turn to see Melfina. "You stopped breathing, Jim."
Jim didn't want to believe it, but this would mean that it was more than a dream. But that didn't immediately mean that it was all true. He knew enough about his dreams to rarely take them at face value. Yet, because of the nature of them, could he afford to take that chance?
"Hey Jim?"
"Huh?" Jim rubbed his eyes. They were becoming hazy again.
"You're drifting off on us."
"Sorry, I-" Maybe it's a good thing they didn't let him go on that walk. He suddenly felt so tired. He could feel himself slipping.
Aisha's hands cupping his face didn't help, either. "Don't go to sleep on us, again."
But despite his efforts, Jim's eyelids were feeling heavier each moment. Darkness began to cloud his mind as he fell unconscious in Aisha's arms.
Melfina released a gasp, covering her mouth in shock. Subtle tremors plagued her body. But moved quickly to Gene's side, supporting Jim's head.
"Jim, snap out of it." Gene removed his friend from Aisha, as the Ctarl-Ctarl seemed too shocked to move. "Come on, Jim. You're not getting out of this that easy." Not that he'd admit, but Gene was scared. He'd always done his best to protect his young friend. Things like this weren't supposed to happen. Not to Jim.
Aisha looked at the limp body Gene now held in his arms. Barely able to watch as Gene tried unsuccessfully rouse her little brother.
Suzuka was the only calm presence in the room. "He only fell unconscious." She carefully set her tea on the stand, making her way over to the bed. "Probably from exhaustion or something similar."
She was a bit unnerved, hearing the soft whisper of the Ctarl-Ctarl, "James." She knew Aisha held Jim is high regard, but it seemed their relationship ran deeper than she originally thought.
"Gene." Suzuka spared him a glance. "Just let him rest in the bed. He should be okay."
Gene was surprised at Suzuka's soft and reassuring smile. But it did offer a kind of comfort, even if the gesture was unusual. He took his time to place Jim underneath the blanket. Tucking him in securely.
Gene moved a stray piece of hair out of Jim's face, even though he knew Jim wouldn't feel it. "You'll be alright." He whispered softly.
Aisha was startled out of her musings as she found Melfina slipping her hand in her own. "I guess I should back to sleep."
"You don't have to explain. It's okay." Aisha squeezed Melfina's hand. Her eyes conveying her gratitude as she stood to leave the room.
Melfina turned watch the small body between herself and Gene. "Gene?"
"Hmm?" He didn't remove his gaze from Jim, who was finally breathing normally.
"Will you be okay?"
He turned to face Melfina. "Yeah. I'll be fine. Don't worry about me." He turned his attention to Jim, once more. "Suzuka?"
"Yes, Gene?"
"Should we tell him what really happened?"
"I'm not sure if he remembers." She removed her cup from the stand, walking towards the door. "Let's wait until morning, and not jump to any conclusions."
"Hey, Gene?"
"Yeah Mel?"
"Do you want to sleep with me, tonight?"
"No thanks. I'll sleep by Jim, just in case."
"Oh, okay."
"I still do Mel."
"It's all right." She paused, considering her next words. "I know, now." She was relieved when he gave her a small smile. "Do you need anything?"
"I don't think so. But thanks, really."
Melfina didn't make any notice of the comment, the blush apparent on her face. "Good night, Gene."
I may not remember much of OS, but I do remember Suzuka and the tea gag…I don't think I could ever forget. And of course, I had to put that in. Shorter than the original, but I had to fill a few holes in the plot.