Altered

Thirty-Six: Confessions

The scream broke through Charlotte's throat, through her nightmare, and through the silence of her bedroom. Lurching forward, Charlotte kicked back the bedclothes that were constricting her body. The sobs broke through her chest and she couldn't control the shake in her hands. She was unaware of the sudden banging on the door, as she buried her face in her hands, trying to banish the images of the nightmare from her mind. The door of the room crashed open and strong arms took hold of her.

"Charlotte, what's wrong?" gasped James, wrapping her up in his arms. Desperately she clung to him, relieved by his presence, relieved to see him alive, feeling protected in his strong arms. Charlotte couldn't speak but just sobbed into his shoulder, refusing to release him. He didn't banish her, but held her until her tears ran dry and her head rested against his shoulder, spent of fear and energy. He smoothed her hair gently, holding her protectively.

"It was just a bad dream," he muttered against her hair, his voice gentle and reassuring. "It wasn't real. It's all over now and everything is okay". Charlotte nodded slowly, reluctantly pulling away from him and wrapping her arms around her legs. Little sniffs still broke through, hiccoughs of her panic. "Are you okay?" he asked, sitting on the edge of the bed. Charlotte glanced up. The lights had been turned on and the door was shut once more. His alteration, she thought. He watched her, his green eyes marred with concern.

"Yes," she breathed finally, her voice weak. "A nightmare".

"A pretty bad one – I heard you screaming from my room. I thought... Are you sure you're okay?"

Charlotte paused, supressing the shiver that threatened to run through her body. She realised that she was still shaking. Fear caught in her throat as she was about to reassure him. Instead she shut her mouth and rested her head on her knees, sniffling once again. "I don't want to fall back into it," she breathed, too afraid to try to sleep again.

"What was it?" he asked, his voice still marred with concern.

"Everybody was dead – Elmhirst had shot everybody. I saw him shoot you, Iseult and Ian. Then he turned the gun on me. I couldn't stop him. I couldn't..." she frowned, frustrated.

"It was just a dream, Charlotte," he sighed, his tone a little relieved to know it was not a real attack.

"I know," she muttered. "I'm sorry I woke you". He shook his head and smiled.

"Don't worry. I got a fright, that was all," he sighed. "If you're okay..." he said standing up.

Charlotte gazed at him, not wanting him to go, fearing the return of the dream. "Yeah," she whispered, very unconvincingly as she glanced away from his gaze. He hesitated by the door, his green eyes uncertain.

"I could wait if you want," he said finally, his face indifferent.

Charlotte opened her mouth to say no, but her own fear stole the words. James took that as consent as he sat back on the end of the bed. Charlotte was secretly glad he was there, fearing what sleep held for her.

"Try and sleep," he muttered. Charlotte pulled the blankets up about her, resting her head against the pillows, as James lay on his back across the end of the bed. He turned off the lights using his alteration, shrouding the room once more in darkness.

"I really am sorry I woke you," she muttered into the dark.

"Don't worry about it, Charlotte," he sighed, his tone sleepy. Charlotte paused, fully aware of his presence, her mind waking up.

"Where have you been?" she asked in an embarrassed whisper.

James paused, contemplating his answer. "Hiding," he replied his tone remorseful.