Waking up wrapped in Nicole Haught's embrace after having yet another nightmare felt like a dream.

Oh lord. I am a total damn cliché.

But there is no other way to describe it. Her presence managed to wash away the cold anxiety from reliving the worst night of my life in an instant, her warmth blanketing me in a comforter of safety.

I feel her lungs raise as she takes in another breath, my lips jealous of the air that gets to move over her mouth. I hold my own breath, waiting for her response to the fact that I just told her I killed my own father.

But Nicole Haught, I have come to learn, never fails to surprise me. Her response is to gently squeeze my shoulder, applying an encouraging pressure. "You can tell me, Waves. I am not going anywhere." She says simply. Her voice is steady, completely opposing the wild rhythm of my nervous heart. I bite my lip as I contemplate how to start the tragic tale of my life before Joy farm.

Drawing encouragement from Nicole's calm reaction, I release the breath I had been holding since confessing to her that I was the reason for my father's death.

"My mom leaving is one of the earliest memories I have. I didn't really know her well. Just from what my older sister, Wynonna, would tell me over the years. That she never paid attention to us, always complained about her boring life and that she consumed pills like we did candy corn. And one day, of course, she finally felt brave enough to leave us."

I feel Nicole pulling me against her slightly, the comfort of it grounds me and lessens the usual pain I'd feel recounting my sad life.

"After she left, Wynonna and I were left alone with the man we unfortunately had to call father. Ward Earp was anything but a father, and sadly I would only later realize that his treatment of us was completely wrong. Having not had any other example of good parenting, I had grown up thinking that his behaviour was normal."

"Did… did he hurt you and your sister?" Nicole asks and my eye catches the tightening of her right hand as if she had to find strength at the thought of that. If only what he did could be described as simply as "he hurt us." I think releasing a dark chuckle.

"You could call it that, yeah. You see, Ward loved only three things: sitting in his beat-up armchair, drinking and finding reasons to yell at us. And when each of Ward's great loves were combined, the yelling almost always led to physical violence. During those times Wynonna would usher me up to my room, to safety as fast as she could. Then she would bravely head down the stairs again to find us something, anything to eat for the night."

The lightning flashes loudly on cue as if it wanted to emphasize the dark turn my tale is about to take. I grip Nicole's hand a little tighter, feeling her warm skin against my own.

In this moment I realize that I felt safer than I ever have before. The constant hailstorm that seemed to follow me throughout my life never allowed me a moment of true rest. Not until I met Nicole Haught. The warmth this thought fills my chest cavity with is quickly dulled when I focus on continuing my devastating autobiography.

"I'd often hear shouts from below, things like 'How dare you take that, you little bitch! You think I work all day just so you can eat from every dollar I make? You deserve nothing from me. I would throw you out if I knew the cops would not come sniffing about it.'" I feel Nicole's jaw tighten against the top of my head.

"Eventually the house would go quiet again when my father finally passed out from his booze induced rage. Then Wynonna would come up to my room, carrying a plate of anything edible she managed to scrounge together."

I feel a sudden pang in my heart at bringing up thoughts of Wynonna and everything she had done for me. And how much I really missed her in my life. I shake of the tears already threatening to spill to ensure I could recount this tale properly to Nicole.

"She would make a show of presenting me with the meal as if it were something much fancier than the meagre plate of crackers, a few slices of mouldy cheese and maybe a grape or two if I was lucky. She would act like she was a butler and I was royalty, bowing at the end with a flourish as she said 'Dinner is served, Madam Baby Girl.'

Nicole releases a soft laugh at my sister's antics and I feel the vibration of her joy against my cheek, causing a smile to spread along my own cheeks despite the heavy source material of the conversation.

"Wynonna sounds like a great sister." She comments, her jaw moving against my head with every word. I nod, my own head moving up and down against her chest. A pang of longing for my sibling rushes over me once more.

"Before she left, she was my favourite person in the whole world." I murmur softly, bringing up happier memories.

"We spent a lot of time together, having only each other to cling to for comfort in that house. One of the things I enjoyed the most was when we got home after school in the afternoons and had the TV to ourselves. We would binge TV shows like Dr Pol—"

"And Monty Python movies." Nicole says, surprising me. For a moment I wonder how she had known this, then I remember the conversation I had with Haughtshot on MatchMe.

The fact that she had remembered this detail about me floods me with adoration for her. How was she real? And why was she able to bring my walls down so easily? Why was Nicole Haught capable of bringing forth love in my heart when I have done everything to write that disappointing and painful emotion off for good? The last thought shocks me with realization. Fuck. I was in love with Nicole Haught.

"Waves? Are you okay?" She asks when I suddenly stiffen and go silent. I shake off the alarming revelations going on in my head and my heart, vowing to fight with myself on this later.

"Uh yeah, sorry. I am just surprised that you remembered about Monty Python."

She shifts her position so she can look me in the eyes, her warm gaze escalating my inner turmoil to the level of a gladiator battle. I was Russel Crowe and my desire to push away my feelings for Nicole Haught was Commodus, and we all know how that movie ends. Shitsticks.

"I could never forget anything about you, Waverly Earp." She says, once again attacking my heart with her charm.

And the crowd goes wild as they chant Rest in peace Waverly Earp!

I hurriedly shake my head in a desperate attempt to rid myself of this mockery, trying to remain victorious in the battle before I do something really dumb. Like kiss that gorgeous mouth currently quirked in a smile at me.

Clearing my throat, I decide to change the subject. "Uh, so getting back to my story. Wynonna would bring me food like that a lot. She was probably the only reason I got any nutrition. And I would eat the meagre meals she would bring to me like they were the greatest feast. Only, I would often lose my appetite after taking a few bites."

"Why?" Nicole asks, now having shifted into her lying position again.

I grit my teeth at the vivid images flashing in my vision. "When the light hit my sister just right, I would be able to make out the dark colouring of her bruised eyes or limbs. Sometimes she would hold her arm protectively and when I would accidently touch it, she would scream in pain."

Nicole stiffens next to me, her hand in a fist. I can feel the heat of the shock and anger radiating from her body next to me. She doesn't say anything yet, seemingly holding her tongue to allow me to confirm it.

"I would ask Wynonna about it, about all her injuries. But she would shrug it off every time and tell me not to worry and just enjoy the meal. My sister sat there, in pain because she pretty much had to fight her way to get me food. Because she had to fight him."

"How could he… his own child… what an utter piece of trash of a human being!" Nicole exclaims seething through gritted teeth. She relaxes slightly again and pulls me closer towards her.

"Sorry, Waves. It's just… really shitty." She says finally, deflating as the frustrated air leaves her lungs.

"It's okay, it's the truth. He was a piece of shit." I agree.

Nicole's body tenses again. "Did… did he ever hurt you?" She asks in a small voice, almost as if dreading the answer.

"For the most part only emotionally. Wynonna made sure that he never touched me, that I was always far from him when he became King of Douchebag Asshole Bastards."

"But Wynonna could not keep that up forever!" Nicole says and the worry, is clear in her voice.

"No, and I begged her to stop risking her own wellbeing. But she was stubborn as hell. But luckily there was a silver lining."

Nicole Perks up at this. "Thank goodness."

"There was this diner on the way home from school. Wynonna and I would go in there every afternoon to prolong the time spent away from the house that never felt like home. Eventually, a waiter noticed our regular visits and started talking to us. She commented about our skinny appearance. I was so embarrassed and wanted to get out of there, but Wynonna saw an opportunity. She told the waitress that we were poor and didn't get much food."

"Please tell me she helped you guys?" Nicole asks, her voice sounding desperately hopeful. I give her a small smile and give her hand a squeeze.

"She did. She didn't ask us for details, just started giving us some of the leftover food from people who didn't finish what they ordered. Sometimes there was a little more and sometimes a little less. But Wynonna and I were grateful for her kindness."

"What an awesome person."

"Yeah, she was. Her name was Alice Michelle. She was pretty much the only reason Wyn and I probably didn't completely starve. We would also keep some of the food for dinner, hiding it from Ward."

"So, Wynonna didn't have to face him anymore?" Nicole asks hopefully.

"For a while she was free from getting beat up, yeah. And our bellies were fuller than they had been in a long time."

Nicole sighs next to me, sensing that there was more to it. "But?"

"But eventually Alice's boss found out about what she was doing and fired her."

"What? But she did not do anything wrong!" Nicole exclaims in disbelief.

"Her boss was another asshole who could not stand that we were getting anything free from his business, even if it were just food that would have been thrown away anyway." I say, shrugging my shoulders at the harshness of human greed.

"What a dick."

"That is the best way to describe him. I hope Alice found a better job and is happy wherever she is now. She saved our lives without even realizing it." I make a mental not to seek Alice Michelle out one day and pay her back for everything good she had done for Wynonna and I.

"What… what did you do after she was fired?"

"Wynonna started scavenging for food again and the bruises started again. Desperate to see it stop, I started doing my own rounds in the afternoons before Ward got home. Usually there wasn't much to find, since he would only buy enough groceries each night to feed himself. But one day I hit the jackpot. I found a pack of unopened pasta and a can of vegetables in the far back of one of the cupboards. I am pretty sure they were both expired, but it meant a full belly and my sister's safety. So, I started preparing a meal from them."

"Oh Waves… tell me you didn't get sick from eating it." Nicole says, her voice wrought with worry for past me.

"We never actually got that far. You see, I had just finished making the ragtag meal when Ward caught me. He had returned early from a hunting trip he went on that morning; his hand was gripping a shotgun…"

Nicole stiffens next to me and almost jumps from the bed when someone knocks gently against the door. We both look up to find Nedley looking at us apologetically.

"Sorry to, uh, interrupt ladies. I just need Nicole to give me a hand checking that all the animals are secure. This storm is getting worse and I have a bad feeling in my gut." He says, his appearance clearly showing concern for his livestock.

Nicole slowly, almost reluctantly, get up from the bed. "Sure thing, sir." She turns to me looking apologetic. "I'll be right back, okay?"

Her eyes hold honesty and promise and it floods me with adoration for her once again before I am able to fight the pesky emotion off. "Can I help?" I offer, not wanting to be separated from her just yet.

She gives me a small smile as she places her Stetson back atop her head. "Thanks for the kind offer, Madam Waverly, but Nedley and I have this."

With a wink that threatens to end my life right there, she casually exits the room after Nedley. It takes me a full ten minutes to compose myself. Damnit Nicole Haught, what have you done to me?

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Nicole's POV

My boots squish in the mud as Nedley and I hurry towards the barn, the rain pelting down on us unforgivingly. My mood feels as thunderous as the weather, I was very much not feeling up for this right now. I mean, Waverly was finally opening up to me for real, in person, and I wanted to know every part of her. But alas, Nedley needed my help and so did the animals.

The lightning flashes as we enter the barn and make a beeline for the two quad bikes. The flash of the light causes an ominous glow across the farm, making the hairs on the back of my neck stick up. Something really was in the air tonight.

Shaking off the feeling, I hit the gas and the quad rockets in the direction of the cowshed. I hear the purr of Nedley's quad behind me as he follows.

The rain pelts down mercilessly onto our raincoat clad bodies, makes it difficult to see ahead. But luckily, I knew this farm like the back of my own hand.

When we reach the shed, I am relieved to find that the door is secure. I enter to check on the cows, their curious Holstein eyes looking back at me. They all seem warm and safe, so with a tip of my Stetson to the ladies, I hurriedly head back to my quad.

I give Nedley a thumbs up and get back onto the vehicle, this time heading for the horse stables.

As we near it, an inexplicable feeling of dread settles in my stomach. Deciding it was just the effect if the storm, I push on. When I round the corner of the stables, the dread increases exponentially.

Before me the stable door flaps unhinged in the wind.

I signal to Nedley and he speeds up behind me. We hurriedly dismount and I go to inspect the damage. The strong wind of the storm seems to have blown open the old stable gate. I had told Nedley he should have the old thing fixed, but he always put it off for other priorities. Too late for that now anyway.

I swiftly enter the stables, my eyes darting to each of the enclosures. I silently count each of the horses and come up short. Just to make sure, I count them again. Short again. Damn it.

I run my eyes over every horse trying to think which one is missing when I realize I can't find Eos.

"They all there?" Nedley's sudden voice behind me startles me.

"Eos is missing." I breathe, worriedly staring into the storm outside.

Nedley sighs and grabs one of the ropes near the door before turning back into the torrent. "Well, let's go find your beast then." I hurriedly follow him and make a break for my quad as we start our search.

It does not take long for us to spot the restless black figure near the northern fence. I indicate for Nedley to slow down his quad and move mine as close as possible without entering the horse's comfort zone.

I dismount and take the rope from Nedley before slowly approaching Eos. His body is rigid and more restless than the very first time I had met him. I try and meet his gaze, finding his eyes roaming wildly in every direction as he tramples the ground. Just like that first time, I approach him with caution and utter gentle reassurances. "Shh Boy it's okay. I am here to take you to safety, okay? Shhh."

Just like the first time, I am relieved to find that my tactic works as Eos starts calming down. I slowly approach him with the rope. I am just about to place it over his head when the lightning strikes again, spooking Eos. Without warning, he raises up onto his hind legs. I watch in frozen terror as his hooves rapidly descent in my direction.

I feel a sharp pain to the side of my head and hear the faint shout of my name before everything goes black.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxX

Waverly's POV

I read the sentence in my paperback for the tenth time before throwing the book down on the bed with a frustrated huff.

I get up and walk over to the window, watching large droplets pelt down heavily. The storm has gotten worse and Nicole and Nedley have yet to return. Where the hell were they? I am unable to shake the uneasy feeling in my gut and decide that it was time to do something with my restless energy. I put on my raincoat and boots and hurry down the stairs, out the back door and into the storm.

As I move down the porch another bolt of lightning hits, illuminating the whole farm. Because of this I am able to spot the figures of Nicole and Nedley in the distance. Unfortunately, my eye also catches the black mass rearing into the sky above Nicole. In that moment, time slows down. I watch in horror as the black mass barrels down right onto the girl I love.

"Nicole!" I shout, the sound coming out in a strangled scream as I start running.