The Adopted Cullen

Chapter 67

My eyelids flutter closed as I lay my head on my Dad's lap. He softly runs his fingers through my hair, gently trying to get me to fall asleep. I let out a soft sigh as sleep overcomes me, darkness pulling me in. As soon as my eyes close, I am pulled into another mind game, unable to wake up.

Laurent jumps out into my line of sight, causing me to jump backwards with a scream. He laughs sadistically, "Isn't it fun? Isn't playing our games fun little one?"

"Leave me alone," I say as strong as I am able, fear coursing through my veins as always.  "Just leave already."

He speeds forwards, grabbing my neck and throwing me to the side just as he kills my family and the pack all at once.

"You won't be missed. No one will shed a tear at your funeral. Give yourself to me, and no one will get hurt."

"No! You'll hurt them anyways!"

Laurent sneers at me as he holds me by my neck again. "But at least you'll be dead and won't have to watch them die before your own eyes."

"Stop it!" I scream loudly, my airwaves closing significantly. Laurent laughs again. "Let's see, this is dream.... What?  In the past two weeks? Four. That means you've tried to sleep a total of four times in the past two weeks. You know, this is the longest anyone has ever stayed awake little one. You should be thanking me for helping you set a world record. You're feeling pretty weak, aren't you? Pretty tired and helpless? Give yourself up and it'll all be over."

"Leave me alone," I say angrily. I love my sleep and he has taken it from me. "Stop messing with my head and let me sleep!"

"Sorry, doll. That's not gonna happen. Enjoy another sleepless night." Then, he kills each one of the pack and my family, this time adding screaming and blood. Broken bones and tears.

An ear-splitting scream makes me jump up, but I realize the sounds is coming from me. "Shh, shh. It's ok. No one's hurt. Shh," Dad soothes me as I curl up into a ball on his lap, clutching his tee shirt.

I stop my screams, breathing heavily as I slowly let tears slip down my cheek. "I am so tired," I sob. I feel my Dad hug me closer as I silently cry.

"I know, sweetheart. I know. We're going to figure something out. I promise. When Edward gets back, he can play the piano for a little while, ok? Maybe that can help you relax."

I nod as I dry my tears and think of everything I've done for the past month. It's been a month since Laurent hurt Seth. A month since me and Paul started our training, me not missing a single one yet, and as the month's gone by, I've gotten less and less sleep. I think the last sleep I had was the night Matt first came to Emily's house.

I haven't told the pack I haven't been sleeping. I suspect they know I haven't gotten much sleep, especially Seth, but they haven't said anything and neither have I. I don't want to tell them I haven't slept in two weeks. Paul doesn't take it easy on me either, which I love. We've worked more on getting in shape and offense than defense, but lately we've been boxing.

Paul gave me his old boxing gloves and I use those against him. He doesn't hit back a lot, just blocks, but when he does, he makes them quick, but hard. I'm getting better than before, that's all I can say. No one knows either. They know me and Paul go on jogs together, but that's it.

I like mine and Paul's jogs. It clears my head, even if I feel as if I'll pass out any minute. A knock on my door pulls me from my thoughts. I look up as my Dad continues to mess with my hair. Edward walks in and smiles sadly.

"Hello, Princess. Do you want to go to the music room? I was just heading there now."

I nod and slide to the edge of my bed. I slowly stand up and walk to where Edward is waiting, Dad staying behind me in case I need help, which has happened before.