The room was pitch black, and Reid didn't have the time to adjust to the light before the door flew open. He backed into the wall, hands flung out, ready to protect himself. Hands closed around his wrists, though he couldn't see anyone in front of him. Reid continued to fight without his hands, using his feet to kick. This didn't help much, as all he could kick at was the mass of blankets on top of him. The grip on his wrists tightened, and he let out a whimper that turned into a scream as the lamp next to him turned on.
"Reid, calm down!" He heard Caleb's voice in front of him and his screams became louder as he remembered the dream. Suddenly he kicked out one last time and actually connected with Caleb's knee, which gave out beneath him and sent both of them to the floor.
Reid's arms were let go as he fell face first forward off the bed onto the cold floor. His head was spinning as a dizzy spell hit him and he heard Caleb shifting next to him. He felt his shoulders being lifted as Caleb rested him against the bed.
Caleb saw Reid's eyes shifting around the room, and he wondered if he knew where he was. He knelt in front of him, watching him try to catch his breath, and he then took Reid's face in his hands to try to get a response. "Reid?"
Reid eyes searched the room before they fell on Caleb in front of him. He felt Caleb's hands and knew this was the real Caleb; the safe Caleb. His own hands assumed the same position as Caleb's before he tried to realized what had just happened and breathed, "Caleb."
"You're okay now, Reid," Caleb said gently.
"Why are you wet?" His friend had just noticed water dripping off Caleb, and drew back remembering Tyler coming at him. Caleb watched Reid coil back and sat against the bed next to him.
"It's raining again. I was outside seeing Pogue and Tyler off," he said watching Reid stare blankly around the room. "You're at my house now. Don't you remember being moved?"
Reid shook his head no.
"Oh...well, you were awake for awhile. You still have a high fever so you-"
"What time is it?"
Caleb was taken aback for a second, but then looked at his watch.
"Almost 2:30 in the morning. Like I said, Pogue and Ty just left. They were going to stay but I said they needed the rest. When I came back in, I tried to hurry up here when you started yelling, but then you started shaking the house."
"I'm sorry," Reid apologized quickly.
"It's fine. It was just a bad dream, Reid."
Reid sighed, ashamed. He had Used while sleeping.
"I'm sorry, Caleb," he whispered.
"Reid it's okay. You didn't mean to, you were dreaming," Caleb said, trying to convince him. Reid just nodded and sniffed, avoiding Caleb gaze.
This was completely new for Caleb, and for Reid. Reid Garwin didn't have nightmares. Tyler had nightmares, and that was ten years ago. Caleb almost smiled as he remembered nights when Reid would wake up with the others, holding Tyler and telling him he was okay. Reid had been the wall, the tough guy of the brothers. He didn't let emotions show and he didn't let things get to him. Caleb wondered what had happened to Reid to make him change so quickly. Something wasn't right, but for some reason, Caleb couldn't convince himself something was wrong.
"C-Caleb... I need... I-Can you-" Reid was trying to form sentences as he interrupted Caleb's thoughts. Caleb turned to his friend and, even though his eyes were glazed with fever, he could tell he was desperate. He quickly grabbed the bucket he had put next to the bed for Reid and handed it to him just in time. As Reid retched, Caleb realized he had nearly forgotten Reid was actually sick.
Reid leaned back on the bed, panting, and tried to swallow.
"Thirsty?" Caleb asked.
Reid nodded as Caleb jumped and got him a glass of water. His friend sat next to him again and watched him gulp the liquid down. Caleb took the glass from him and smiled. "More?" he asked.
Reid shook his head no, not knowing what his stomach could handle. They sat for a few more minutes, and Reid felt himself nodding off. He suddenly jumped when he felt Caleb's hand on his shoulder shaking him, saying, "You should get some sleep."
Both teens got up and Reid laid down under the covers again. Caleb made it to the door before Reid called to him. "Caleb?"
He turned around to face the blond. "Yeah, Reid?"
"Can you sleep in here tonight in case I have another dream?"
The question tugged on Caleb's heart and reminded him again of Reid's change. "Yeah, I'll be right back."
Reid nodded. Caleb grabbed some blankets and pillows out of his room and made a bed on the floor next to Reid. Before long, both of them were asleep.
