A/N: This one is on the shorter side just to fill the void for you guys!

It wasn't particularly hot, but the humidity was making her feel as though she was suffocating in her half asleep state. She'd been in and out all night, struggling to get comfortable even with just a single sheet draped loosely over the lower half of her body. Will was snoring beside her, sprawled on his back with his mouth wide open. She'd already thumped him three times to try and get him to shut up, but something about the Louisiana humidity definitely sent his sinuses into a spiral.

Flat on her stomach, she tucked her face against her pillow, breathing slow and deep as she allowed her sleepiness to wash over her again. Despite the warmth, she was tired, and it wasn't long before her mind started racing away into dreamy visions, tugging her deeper into her sleep.

Seconds later, her eyes flicked open. Somehow, she was laying on her back, and for some reason, she felt like she was pinned to the bed. The room seemed darker, and the darkness had settled on her chest like a weight.

A leering face suddenly shot out of the darkness towards her, making her breathe in sharply. She tried to move, but she couldn't; her body was paralysed, completely frozen where she was.

"Do you regret spending most of your time training for the Olympics rather than spending time with your father when he was dying?"

"No... no," she breathed. Her skin felt like tiny electric shocks were running through her; her whole body on edge. Her breaths were short and sharp in her lungs, increasing in pace as she tried to fight whatever her mind was inflicting upon her. The face moved closer, floating above her, the mouth stretching wider and wider until it was grotesque and horrific.

"Are you okay with having sacrificed your time with him just so you could win another medal? Because at the end of the day, that medal is just an object… is it really worth everything you've given up?"

She tried to speak, but her voice died in her throat. All she could do was continue to force herself to breathe. She squeezed her eyes closed, willing her heart to slow down, willing herself to stay as calm as possible. But the weight was still on her chest... it was still keeping her pinned down, unable to fight back.

"Do you think he died harbouring resentment that you chose a sport and your own glory over your own father?"

With a gasp, she snapped her eyes open. Somehow, she was on her stomach once more, her face half buried in the pillow under her head. The room was silent and still, a stark change to what it had been just moments before.

Lifting her head slightly, she looked over beside her, grateful to see that Will was still fast asleep. She swallowed hard, suddenly realising that in the stifling heat of the bedroom, her mouth and throat felt bone dry. As quietly as possible, she worked her way out of the covers, creeping over to the door and letting herself out into the hallway.

She made her way down the stairs as quietly as she could, not wanting to wake anyone up as she headed for the kitchen in search of a drink of water.

She was quick but quiet about retrieving a glass from the cabinet and running the tap. It wasn't until she took a sip that she realised just how parched she was. Draining the glass, she filled it once more. A loud creak sounded behind her, making her jump as she whirled around and nearly spilled the water all over the floor.

"Relax, JJ, it's just me, Juliette," came the voice of Will's older sister. JJ let out a breath, shooting Juliette a soft smile in the low light of the kitchen as she sat her glass down on the counter.

"You scared me," she said softly. Juliette chuckled, making her way over to the cabinet to grab a glass of her own. "Did I wake you up?"

Juliette shook her head. "Naw, you're ok. I think Lottie has an ear infection... she's been up grizzlin' half the night, I only just got her to go back down." She ran the tap, filling her glass, before turning to face JJ with a sad smile. "How are you doin' though? You've been awful quiet since you got here"

JJ avoided Juliette's gaze, letting out a heavy sigh. "I don't mean to be rude, but... I'm getting tired of people asking me that"

Juliette nodded once, her quiet understanding crystal clear as JJ stood before her. "No, I get it. I'm sure Will checks in on you all the time"

"He does," JJ said softly. "He's... I know he means well. But some days I feel like I'm being stifled"

"Grief will do that," Juliette said gently, sipping at her water.

Shaking her head, JJ pushed away from the counter. "I don't want to talk about it... I'm going back to bed"

"Ok... hopefully you can get some sleep," Juliette said warmly, completely unfazed by JJ's sudden change in responsiveness.

Still feeling somewhat rattled, JJ made her way back up the stairs, being careful to dodge the spot on the ninth stair that she knew was loose. She crept back into Will's room, silently latching the door behind her. The room was still and silent, punctuated only by Will's intermittent snores.

Drained, JJ slid beneath the covers, snuggling up beside Will and resting her head on his chest. Moments later, he lifted the arm beneath her to wrap around her shoulders, providing her with a small sense of comfort and security.

At least, until morning, this would do.