My stupid face was red.
Bright red.
Tomato red.
And everyone in the immediate vicinity definitely saw it. Why was it so red, you ask? Steve was applying a band-aid to my right cheek. I was surprised that he knew where to put it, considering that the blood was probably blending in with the color of my face. As if I wasn't embarrassed enough, his hands were cold, so he definitely felt the extra heat on me.
"When exactly did you feel the sting?" asked Jason. He was sitting in front of the monitor going over the video of all of us in the family room.
"After the batteries died and Steve had asked if there was a presence in the room," I said. Then I whispered to Steve "Need help with that band-aid?"
"Gee, I don't know where your face ends and the cut begins," he whispered back. I frowned at him and he grinned.
"Oh, come on, at that rate the band-aid won't stick to anything!" said Dustin. "Move over and let a pro do it!" Steve stepped aside, looking somewhat reluctant to do so. Dustin put the band-aid on in less than five seconds and then walked away.
"Steve Gonsalves: Brilliant investigator. Crap with band-aids!" I joked. I looked over at him only to see the beginnings of the dreaded pout look on his face. I sighed and gave him a hug.
"Felina, there is nothing there that could've caused that cut on your cheek," said Jason. I pulled away from Steve and frowned at Jason.
"What?" I walked over to look at the monitor. Sure enough, the camera showed nothing but me reacting to the sting. Plus, the resolution of the video didn't show the cut very well. "That's weird. I'm not even touching my face or anything!" Jason sighed.
"What a convenient time to lose the batteries," he said. "Well, might as well wrap it up for tonight." We set about taking down the equipment and putting it back in the van. As I was rolling up some cords, I noticed that nearly everyone passing me in the hallway was stopping to pat me on the back. First Donna and Tango…then Brian and Dustin…then Steve walked by and flicked my ponytail. Jason and Grant were walking by after saying goodbye to the homeowner and I heard them stop behind me and start laughing.
"Couldn't find a trash can?" asked Grant. I frowned at him, and then slowly felt my shirt behind me. Camera tape was stuck all over my back and there was even a big wad in my ponytail. I scowled and started tangling the cords a little bit more just to spite the guys that would have to unroll them again.
Complete darkness except for the soft glow of my flashlight. I didn't know where I was, but I knew I wasn't supposed to be here. My flashlight beam kept hitting the side of a rocky wall of a cave. Suddenly, a shadow blocked out the shine of the flashlight and a jolt of fear ran through me. Seconds passed by and the shadow was still there. I had the sudden urge to get the heck away from whatever it was. I turned to run, and as I did, out of the corner of my eye I saw the black figure surge towards me—
I sat up in bed, screaming, with tears of terror running down my face. I looked around frantically, but all I saw was darkness. I heard someone breathing fast a few feet to my right. I realized that I was indeed sitting on a bed and not the hard floor of a cave. The lamp came on between the two beds and I saw Donna staring at me like I had just grown two heads. I drew my knees up to my chest along with the blankets. I was suddenly very cold.
"Are you--?" Donna's question was cut off by a series of urgent sounding raps on the door. She got up to answer it. Steve and Brian walked in.
"We heard someone screaming over here. Is everything alright?" said Brian. Donna turned and looked at me, looking concerned.
"It was Felina." Brian and Steve looked at me huddled on the bed. I watched as Steve came to sit next to me and Brian and Donna sat on the edge of the bed across from us. Steve put an arm around me and I leaned into him because he was warm.
"It's been happening for a month or so," I said. Brian and Donna frowned in confusion. "A recurring nightmare." I explained to them. "It's the same dream every time, but it keeps changing. I always wake up scared…and sometimes I end up screaming." Steve began rubbing my back in slow, comforting circles and I rested my forehead on my knees.
"You have them every night?" asked Donna.
"No. Normally once or twice a week."
"What happens in them?" asked Steve. I lifted my head up and looked at him. His gaze was unwavering.
"I don't want to talk about it," I said.
"That won't help you get over it." I sighed and looked at the clock to see it was three in the morning.
"I'm tired," I said. We had to get up at seven to review evidence.
"You gonna be okay?" asked Brian. I paused before nodding. I hoped the nightmare wouldn't return.
"Here," said Donna, picking up a pillow from her bed and coming to sit next to me. "I'll sleep beside you to make sure you'll be alright!"
"Okay," I said, smiling a little at Donna's 3 AM perkiness.
"Alright. We'll see you in the morning," said Brian, reaching over to lightly bop me and Donna in the head before heading to the door. Donna snuggled into the covers and I finally lay back down.
"Sweet dreams," said Steve. As Donna faced the other way to turn off the lamp, Steve leaned over me and placed a kiss on my cheek just as the lights went out. I couldn't see his face, only his silhouette as he walked out the door. I was sure that if the light had still been on, Donna would be making fun of the stupid grin currently plastered on my face.