I awoke with shudder eyes, unable to keep them open for more than a couple of milliseconds. I rested my head against my shoulder before slowly waking up. I was in a hospital. Confused I sat up. Pain rushed to my head forcing me to lie back down. Memories filled my head a couple of seconds later and everything started to make more and more sense. I had remembered collapsing thus the head wound. I turned my body to face the window and I was surprised to see Joe sitting there, sleeping like a log using all of the plastic chairs. It always fascinated me that people look so much more innocent as the slept. I yawned and rested my head on the cool side of the pillow. I tried shifting my position but I was hooked up to a machine which made it impossible to get comfortable. I moaned in frustration and tried to shut my eyes again. I liked sleep and sooner or later it came to visit me. Sleep was good.
Flames surrounded me in a wild, uncontrolled circle. I could feel sweat drip down my body everywhere from the boiling heat. Every step I took made the flames bigger and crazier.
"No one can save you now." A deep voice spoke from the heavens followed by a low evil laugh.
"Anna!" Another voice said in a distance. A familiar one. Soon an image of Joe was visible I the darkness.
"Joe!?" I called back. But he couldn't hear me through the smoke that filled my lungs quickly; he kept calling my name as if he was tortured before he was consumed by flames. I fell to the ground in distress allowing the flames to swallow me as well. I let out a scream as the mysterious voice kept calling my name as if a chant "Anna, Anna, Anna..."
I practically leaped out of the bed in cold sweat. Screaming.
"Anna!" Joe screamed louder. I stared in disbelief, blinking around the room. Emotions welled up inside me. Fear mostly. After about a minute I bursted into an uncontrolled cry fest. Joe attacked me in a hug letting me cry on his shirt, soaking it.
"It's alright." He said smiling "Just a dream it can't hurt you." As comforting as it was I was too freaked out to stop crying. Crying made me exhausted so as much as I was afraid to fall asleep again, sleep just consumed me just like the flames.
The next time I woke was much more calming. I felt Joe's one arm was resting behind my back, the other wrapped around my waist. I took some deep breaths before I fully opened my eyes. It looked though it was about dusk. Nearly a full 24 hours since the fire. My head felt much better, meaning I could probably be released from the hospital today. I noticed I had no burns or broken limbs just a few minor bruises and scrapes. Also that head injury. I lied there for a while just breathing until Joe woke up too.
"Sup." he said groggily.
"Hey yourself." I said not moving.
"How's your head?" He asked
"Still attached so that's good." I answered.
A smile appeared on his face
"Oh damn I thought I was going to have the headless horseman as a girlfriend." He joked
The way he said girlfriend made me have butterflies in my stomach. It felt nice.
"I'm sorry to disappoint you." I smile back.
The nurse came in the room after that and after she ordered Joe to get off my bed she checked up on my injuries. I was good to go as she left to fill out the paperwork.
Upon leaving I was attacked by all my friends. Lauren, Jaime ,Mere and Evanna swarmed me in hugs and "Thank Gods." The boys chatted and joked about my funeral if I had died those sweethearts occasionally asking if I was okay. Julia was talking with the nurse acting as my guardian and getting all the information. After it was clear to leave Joe drove me home so I could get rest. I offered Evanna but she said "She would rather walk." It was completely false considering we lived 15 blocks away from the hospital. Joe and I stepped in the car I wrapped in my crappy hospital blanket and awful pjs.
"You had a nightmare." He said breaking the silence.
"Did I?" I lied. I knew.
"It scared the hell out of me. You just started shaking and screaming and twisting. You kept saying it was too hot. I didn't know what to do. I thought you were having a seizure."
I nodded.
"I didn't mean to scare you."
Joe laughed, beaming at me.
"You say it like it was your fault! No, I'm just telling you that it scared the shit out of me. I don't blame you one bit. Ahh here we are." Joe rolled into the side of my apartment building
"How do you know where I live?" I asked curiously
"Evanna gave me the address." We started walking to the apartment "now if you need me just call, I have to be somewhere or else I swear I would be right by your side." "You've done plenty." I beamed.
"Okay." He said kissing the top of my head. "I see you in a couple of hours.
I waved goodbye and stumble into my apartment. I took another well deserved nap.