Bad night-memory.
September 31, 2014; Rusher Quarters, Night...
Claw was shaking in his bed, terror on his face even as he slept. The image kept on flashing in his mind, over and over till finally-
Claw: *shoots up;small quiet scream*.
Claw panted in a cold sweat as he looked around, seeing he was in his room. He sighed shaking his head.
Claw: *to himself* Claw why are you having this now of all times. I-It's been years y-your safe.
Claw starred at the wall, unable to fall asleep even with what he said.
Daytime, hours later...
The Guardians walked in, ready to train for the next battle with Sudden Death with RZ nodding at the sight of the heroes.
RZ: Guardians, welcome.
Ish: Hey RZ, anything yet?
RZ: Not now, but I shall continue to keep a close eye for any trouble. Claw will be observing your training today.
Ash: *looks around;concern* Where is he-?
Claw's voice: H-here.
All turned, now even more concerned seeing the Panther Rusherz' state.
His eyes were baggy and red rimed, looking shaken as he walked over. Everyone could see tuffs of fur were up in some places as he came close.
Claw: Sorry I'm late...
Marty: *very concern*...Claw, bud, not to sound rude but, YOUR A MESS.
Claw: Y-Yeah, been having some bad nights sleeping. No idea wh-why though.
RZ could tell he was not lying nor telling the truth, but...he also saw his face, his eyes had a look that was familiar to him for some reason.
RZ: *very concern*Claw...something is bothering you?
Claw: Uhhh yeah it's uh...something, pretty, BAD that happened years ago. And, it's something I, can't really explain properly to the kids yet so...uhh.
Tua: *very concern* Can't explain yet, how bad are we talking about?
Claw began to shake as he sweated, looking around jittering.
Claw: Just uhh, something that, you might u-understand as a-adults tha-that's all.
Ricky: *very concern* THAT BAD HUH?
Claw nodded...then froze, HE COULDN'T STOP SHAKING.
...
THOSE IMAGES WERE FLASHING IN FRONT OF HIM NOW IN THE WAKING WORLD.
Claw could feel his heart race, hearing the beats and static in his head.
...
Troy: *very concern* Claw, bud?
Ash: *very concern* Claw, your scaring us why are you shaking?
Claw was breathing hard as his eyes shrank filling with tears, slowly stepping back and falling as he starred.
...
IT WAS NOTHING BUT STATIC AND BEATING. THE IMAGE WAS DARKEN BUT PRESENT AS FADED VOICES WAS HEARD. HE WANTED TO GET OUT, HE WANTED TO KNOW WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING NOW AFTER ALL THESE YEARS! HE WANTED TO SLEEP, TO REST, TO-!
...
THUMP!
Stallion: *sternly;scared* CLAW WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING!?
Claw blinked as he returned to reality now staring at Stallion who ,wearing a look of pure fear, had him and Claw himself up against the stairs. He could see the Guardians were shaken as was RZ, a few Rusherz present in the HOK by their side.
Claw: I-wha-what did I-
Stallion: *sternly;scared;concern* You had this dazed look in you eyes and were about to claw yourself, raw! What the heck is going on? You look like you haven't slept in days.
Claw looked around, seeing he was back home, FAR FROM THAT SCENE.
He looked at Stallion...and finally the tears fell as he sobbed, the Colt Rusherz' gears clicked in his mind at the realization at what was going on.
Stallion: *comforting* Oh Claw.
Claw: *sobbing* I-I don't know why i-it's just been appearing and i-hic-i-hic-
Stallion: *comforting; brings him in a hug* Shhh, it's okay. Your okay, I promise your going to be okay.
The Guardians watched on in worry as the rest realized what was going on, Ash taking a step forward.
Ash: Claw-
Beast: *stops her* Ashley...Stallion's got this. I-I promise we will tell you what happened when your guys are older but please, give him some space.
Steed: As much as we appreciate you wanting to get involved helping us, this..this is something that will need to wait.
They nodded, understanding the severity of the situation Claw must of been in to cause this reaction.
Tua: Got it..
Ish: We'll, head home and give you all time to help him. I know we still got those Rouges and Sudden Death, but think is more important.
Ash: *nods with the others* Can you call us with updates?
Pillage: *warm smile* Course we will, thank you kids for understanding.
They gave small smiles and waves before leaving...the Rusherz smiled fell as they turned to the still sobbing Claw, clinging onto Stallion like a lifeline as he breathed hard and in sorrow/terror.
Beast: RZ, can you make a call?
RZ nodded as Swoop ran over to try and help calm the Panther Rusher.
Meanwhile, CenturyLink Field...
Freefall:-So with all the information we've been finding during our bye week, by the looks of it they could attack at the next international games in October.
Liberty, Stampede and Freefall were looking over paperwork on the table of his office.
Stampede: The Jaguars and the Cowboys will be playing that game, we're going to need to replace one of the team to trick them.
Liberty: I was talking to Peg-Leg and he volunteered his team to help so hopefully-
A beep was heard as Freefall looked at his NFLComm, turning it on as the screen flared to life showing Beast and RZ.
Freefall: *concern* Everything okay?
Beast (on screen): NO. It's Claw...that, EVENT, is appearing in his head again.
...They dropped everything as soon as they heard this, standing up.
Stampede: *concern* What happened to make THAT nightmarish scene appear again?
RZ: We do not know. He apparently started getting them after the attack at the fan event, almost clawing himself in a blind panic in front of the Guardians.
Beast (on screen): Stallion stepped in fast but...he really looks bad.
Liberty: *concern* -sighs sadly- Claw...how is he now?
Beast (on screen): We uh..*looks away;bites his lip* Oh man *turns back around* ...Swoop had to sedate him, he went into break down mode. So, BAD. CLAW IS NOT DOING GOOD.
Freefall: *concern* Oh no. We're coming back.
Bit later, HOK...
All three Rusherz jumped out, immediately looking around before spotting Steed running over.
Steed: Hey guys, sorry for the call but we wanted you to know fast-
Stampede: Don't be, we already got a game plan in place and this is more important.
Liberty: Where is he?
.
.
Stallion sighed as he held Claw close to him, the two in his bedroom and on his bed with different cloths on and helmets off. Claw slept as he breathed in a rhythm, the Colt Rusher petting his head.
Stallion: Please have better dreams-
?: Stallion?
He looked up to see Liberty, Stampede and Freefall in the doorway coming in.
Liberty: You changed both your clothes?
Stallion: Yeah Claw he, uhh well...he threw up in his break down state. I don't blame him given what he saw that night.
All three winced hearing that.
Freefall: *confused* How in the world did this happen at a fan event? I know those three attacked, but I don't recall anything that could of brought it up again.
Stallion sadly shoke his head, looking at Claw again.
Stallion: I wish I knew the answer, he was in a daze when Ash chased after Stellaria. Maybe it was triggered when he was tossed?
Stampede: Whatever the reason was we can figure out later, Claw's our main focus.
Liberty and Freefall nodded in agreement as Liberty went over, gently brushing the top of the Panther Rusherz' head.
Liberty: Your safe Claw, we promise we won't let you get hurt.
..A small tear fell from his eyes hearing this.
.
.
.
Claw mouned as he slowly woke up, still feeling tired despite being out. He saw he was in his room with the others asleep around him, Stallion holding onto him and Spot curled next to him.
Claw: Guys...
Spot ears flicked as he woke up, the others following before being fully awake seeing that Claw had woken up.
Spot: Your up.
Claw: Y-Yeah I-I'm...-sighs- really glad you guys step in.
Swoop: Sorry I sedated you there-
Claw: Nono! I-I was heading deep into snapping there so, glad you took initiative. Not to mention it's the first good sleep I had, even if there was no dreams...Did anything happen during that tim-*looks at himself and Stallion* When did we get our clothes changed?
Stallion: *nervous* Hehe umm, you..threw up.
Claw blushed in embarrassment as he hide himself in Stallion more.
Claw: *embarrassed* I am so sorry about-
Stallion: DON'T. I don't blame you for reacting like that with what you went through. But, we gotta ask; How did this start up again?
Claw slumped, sighing as he shoke his head.
Claw: I honestly don't know. It's been going on since the fan event and nothing happened, besides the attack, to make it a trigger. It just..started happening again.
Peck: Well whatever the reason, you need to take it easy. You haven't slept in days and that isn't helping.
Claw nodded as he lean into Stallion, purring.
Claw: Got an-any idea on how to stop the nightmares.
Chief and Scavenger went forward fast nodding.
Chief: Me and Scavs know. Talking about it to us is one thing, and that has helped when it first happened.
Scavenger: There are also ways to calm yourself before heading to bed, soft orchestra music is considered to help some folks with dreams like this.
The others began to smile as the two continued.
Chief: Heard they are doing research on how smells can affect dreams too, ya know Aromatherapy and essential oils. Heard those can help decrease nightmares as well.
Freefall: Seems you two been doing alot of research on this.
Both nodded in response.
Scavenger: Me and Chief have been helping eachother given out conditions, swamping information that can help us.
Arrow-Head: *smile grows* That's very good to hear, and will defiantly help again in the future.
Beast: Think we got something that can help, might need you two to point out which ones to use.
Claw leaned into Stallion, his smile though small very grateful.
Claw:...Um, do you guys, mind staying here for tonight? I-I don't feel like sleeping alone.
Stallion: *brushes head* Of course we'll be here tonight.
Ash's house...
Tua: So, he's going to be okay? I know it hasn't been to long but we're worried about him.
Freedom was on screen nodding, the others around Ash's NFLR.
Freedom (otherline): Yeah, we got a game-plan tonight but with some rest he should be fine.
Troy:..Was it really bad? With what happened to Claw?
Ricky: Cause given how you guys reacted and the response it must be bad.
Freedom (otherline): -sorrowful sigh- Yes, it was..traumatizing for him. Point he went to see a psychiatrist, but even then...there are some events that not even talking can help.
Marty: *nods* We understand, my mom told me there are somethings that require more help than being on the couch.
Ish: Yeah, listen if you guys need anything just call us okay. We can keep an eye on the league for the night for you guys.
Freedom (otherline): *smiles* Thank you guys, we will let you know.
Ash was quiet as she listened on.
Freedom (otherline): Ash? You okay?
Ash: You don't think it was cause of-
Freedom (otherline): No. Ash this is something that happened years before you kids, back in 2000. And what happened at the Fan event was not the cause either, sometimes stuff like this just, pop up.
Ash: *small smile* O-Okay. Just, worried given how he reacted. It must of been horrifying what he went thought.
Freedom said nothing, but the look on his face spoke to them, 'YOU HAVE NO IDEA'.
Ash: Thank you for the update, keep us posted.
Freedom (otherline): Of course, and thank you kids for thinking about Claw.
With that the call between the Guardians and Rusher of New England ended.
That night...
Thor: Alright, got the scent going. Never though Camomile and peppermint would make a good combo.
All the Rusherz were in the living room, area ready for sleep tonight and all ready for bed. Claw took in the aroma, yawning as he curled up close to the warm fireplace.
Spot: *nuzzles him* You look tired.
Claw: *tired* I am...thanks you guys.
They smiled as Stallion brushed the panther's head, low purrs being made.
Stallion: We're right here if you need anything.
Claw slowly nodded as his tired heavy eyes fluttered, before finally closing. Allowing slumber to hit him.
.
.
Dom Capers: Heh, don't blame ya for sleeping given the season we had.
Claw was curled up next to the team's coach as the team headed back to Carolina, their 1997 season done.
Fred Lane: -chuckles- Well, helps that the plane is a cozy temp for him. *scratches Claw's ear* Your loving this bud?
Claw gave a calm, yet content look on his face nodding.
Steve Beuerlein: Well, we'll take the time off to relax and plan for next season then. Might be better or worse, but we'll get through it.
Sam Mills: Right. Like that idea taking it easy, *looks at Claw* you make sure you do too but, well..more than you are.
Claw:...Thanks guys, you all are amazing.
.
.
.
Claw smiled in his sleep as the others slept, now a happy memory appearing in his mind as his ear flicked.
Claw: *sleeping* I love you guys...
Stallion, who was half asleep, smiled as he brought Claw in a hug,
Stallion: *falling asleep* Happy your having a happy dream, Claw.
With that, all fell into a sweet slumber.
THE
END