Ridley's P.O.V.

I bolted upright out of bed, vile rising so fast in my throat that I couldn't prevent myself from vomiting. I coughed, the acid burning my throat raw. What the hell was that? It seemed too real to be just a simple dream... Clenching my fists on my blanket I stared at the mess I'd made.

Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I wrinkled my nose at the feel of bile on my cold, clammy hand. I was sweating; covered it, like a warm stifling blanket. The remains of my dinner seeped through my covers and soaked into my pajamas making me shudder.

Another wave of nausea cascaded through me and I flung my ruined covers off and stumbled to the bathroom, barely making it in time for me to stick my head in the toilet. My hands trembled as I gripped the toilet bowl, the cool porcelain giving me a sort of anchor. The memories of my dream had already begun to fade from my mind, like the others, leaving only the feeling behind.

Hearing the telltale sound of my bedroom door opening, I turned my head just enough to see through the bathroom door to see who it was: Edward. His brown hair was slightly mussed and he wasn't wearing his glasses.

Entering the bathroom he gently kneeled down next to me and asked, "Bad dream?"

I retched into the toilet again before giving a slight nod. Damn, I shouldn't have eaten so quickly.

"Do they happen often?" Edward asked, his voice filled with concern.

I flashed him an irritated look. Why was he just sitting there talking to me instead of doing something? Turning my attention on to my breathing, I counted my breaths as I inhaled through my nose and exhaled through my mouth. In, two, three, four, out, two, three, four. In through the nose out through the mouth.

Suffering, I gave a final dry heave and slumped to the floor, exhausted. I crawled into the corner and curled up, painfully aware of Edward who was just sitting there uncertainly. Didn't he have any idea as to what to do in these types of situations? Did I even know?

"Do you want to tell me..?" Edward asked and I shook my head.

Can't... remember... only... feeling... I signed slowly, hands still shaking. I looked at him helplessly. What could I do? What could he do? Nothing would make me feel better right now.

I'm... afraid. I admitted. Don't know what to do.

"I can't help you unless I know what's wrong!" Edward said exasperatedly. "I want to help, I really do, but how?" He pleaded looking at me with wide eyes.

Was this some other sort of bizarre dream? Edward was pleading and saying that he wanted to help? I gave him a bewildered look.

"You helped me," Edward said, "let me return the favor."

So that's what it was. He didn't want to be in debt to me. Stay. I finally signed. Stay with me.

"Always," Edward promised.

He words jarred my memory and an image of the grey-eyed woman flashed through my mind. I lurched forward, making a choking sound, afraid that I'd throw up again.

"Ridley," Edward muttered, rushing to my side. "It's ok. Everything is going to be ok."

He pulled me close to him and rubbed my back. Letting out a sniffle, I hugged him back, being mindful of his side.

"I'll protect you." Edward continued. "I'll always be here."

Something cracked inside of me at his words. A sense of déjà vu that I didn't understand washed over me, breaking the dam that held my emotions in check. I buried my head in the crook of Edwards' neck and broke into tears.

Edward let out a sigh and pulled me into his lap, and I felt him wince as he twisted to do so. I only hoped that he didn't break his stitches again. He rocked back and forth, stroking my hair and whispering things to softly for me to hear as I sobbed into his shoulder.

My eyes flickered and I fought myself for consciousness. There was no way I was going back to the hell of my dreams. I forced my eyes open and focused on a spot on the wall. Focusing my mind like this didn't exactly help, and I faintly heard what Edward was saying before I gave in and closed my eyes.

It's not what it seems in the land of dreams,

don't worry your head, just go to sleep.

It doesn't matter how you feel,
life is just a Ferris wheel.
It's always up and down,
don't make a sound.

When you wake up
the world will come around.