"How much further," I whined, tripping over tree roots and branches that littered the ground.
"Not far," he replied softly, holding my small hand tighter in his. It was cold and getting dark and my shoes were getting muddy.
We walked a little further until we reached a small clearing.
"Here," he said suddenly and I almost walked into him. He turned to face me.
"Why are we here," I asked him. I wanted to be back at school to watch the film in the hall. It was our Friday treat.
"Shh," he whispered, leaning down to be more level with me.
"You know I love you Tim, you're so beautiful," he said wistfully, running his fingers across my cheek. "So beautiful," he whispered reverently. I nodded briefly.
"Let's go back and see the film, yeah," I asked and he just smiled a little at me.
"In a bit, okay? There's something I want you to do for me first," he told me slowly, hesitantly.
"You mean everything to me, Tim," he whispered, pulling his scarf tighter around my neck when he saw me shivering. He put his hands on my shoulders and guided me to kneel.
"James," I said warily but he quietened me again. He cupped my cheek.
"Just trust me okay?"
I nodded. He unzipped his flies.
"Tim." I jumped. Ivo was calling me. I glanced around but there was no-one.
James watched me, pulling my face around to look at him.
"What is it, did you hear someone," he asked sounding panicky.
"He heard me," Ivo growled, standing nearby under a tree. He seemed so casual in his leather jacket, a cigarette between his fingers.
"Tim," he held a hand out towards me, "Come here." I went to him and he held me beside him tightly.
"Who the hell are you," James sneered, walking towards us, practically the same height as Ivo.
Ivo turned to me. "Run back to the school Tim, okay?" He looked calm and I nodded as he released my hand. I turned to leave and heard James yelp but I started running. The trees didn't seem to have an end and I lost sight of the path.
"Tim," I heard James call out to me, the sound of running footsteps getting closer to me. My heart was racing and I kept going before tripping over a tree root and hitting the ground. Looking up I saw James standing over me, blood running from his nose.
"You little shit," he hissed, grabbing me. I struggled and tried to pull away but he held me by my ankle and began dragging me back towards the clearing. I screamed and screamed hoping someone would hear me.
"Ivo, Ivo!"
"Tim," I heard him cry. James was shaking me in anger. "Tim, wake up."
I sat up with a start, panicking when I felt a strong grip on me.
"No," I cried pulling away and falling from the bed. Ivo clambered after me.
"Tim, it's okay, it was just a dream," he said soothingly, pulling me back towards him. "It was just a dream, yeah?"
I was soaked in sweat and shivering. He sat on the ground beside me and held me as I sobbed into his shoulder.
"It was so real," I whispered.
"I know, I know. But you're safe now, you're okay. I've got you."