• |DREAMS TO REALITY| • [SCHOOLBUSGRAVEYARD X READER]

CHAPTER 46 - Fear

The atmosphere inside the jeep was suffocating, the air thick with an overwhelming sense of fear that pressed down on all sides. Y/N sat in the back with Logan, her mind consumed by a familiar dread. Each breath felt shallow, as if the air itself refused to fill her lungs, while anxiety clawed relentlessly at her insides. Her heart pounded as she tried to focus on the task at hand, but memories of past encounters loomed, reminding her of the dangers lurking just beyond the jeep's confines. The darkness of the phantom dimension wasn't just outside—it seeped into her, suffocating her from within.

Silence settled, heavy and almost tangible, pressing against her chest. Y/N clenched her fingers around the fabric of her sleeve, hoping the sensation might anchor her, keep her grounded. Yet, the emptiness persisted, unyielding. She leaned back against the metal frame, resting her head on her knees, retreating from the chaos that raged outside. The wind slipped through the jagged openings where the windows once were, chilling her skin and carrying eerie whispers from the desolate landscape. Each gust reminded her of their isolation, the world outside stretching endlessly in an expanse of emptiness.

Logan kept watch, his gaze vigilant. He shifted in his seat, and as his eyes briefly caught Y/N's form, curled up in her thoughts, concern stirred within him. Drawing in a steadying breath, he pushed aside his own worries and quietly moved toward her, lowering himself with care, cautious not to disturb the fragile calm that surrounded them.

For a while, they sat in silence, the tension unspoken but palpable. Logan's attention returned to the world outside, ever watchful, while Y/N remained lost in her thoughts, both finding a quiet solace in the shared stillness amid the uncertainty.

As exhaustion from sleepless nights began to weigh on her, Y/N fought against it, her eyelids growing heavy. Just as darkness crept in at the edges of her vision, Logan hesitated, his fingers hovering over the barrel of the shotgun before setting it carefully beside him to keep it from rolling away.

A gentle touch on her shoulder snapped her back to awareness. Leaning closer, Logan's eyes brimmed with quiet concern. "You're falling asleep," he said softly, worry lacing his voice. They couldn't afford to let their guard down, yet seeing the weariness etched across her face stirred something protective within him.

Y/N rubbed her eyes, sitting up straighter as she stifled a yawn. "Sorry... just tired," she murmured, her voice heavy with the weight of sleepless nights. But it was more than exhaustion. An ache had settled inside her, a gnawing sense of dread that no amount of rest could ease. It lingered, growing stronger as they ventured deeper into the unknown.

Logan furrowed his brow, his hands moving to his sleeves, fingers curling and uncurling around the fabric. He shifted in his seat, swallowing nervously before speaking again. "I—I know we're all exhausted," he started, his uncertainty clear. Not the best at reaching out, his sincerity shone through as he glanced at Y/N. "But it seems like... you've been carrying something extra lately. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, I just..." His voice trailed off, his face flushing with embarrassment as his gaze dropped to the floor. "I just didn't want you to feel like you had to go through it alone."

A pause followed, not uncomfortable, but more like two people navigating their emotions without a clear path. Y/N offered a small, tired smile. Logan wasn't one to push or pry; his cautiousness felt oddly comforting. "Thanks, Logan," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the hum of the jeep. "It's... hard to put into words. Everything feels so uncertain. I'm trying not to let it get to me, but..." She hesitated, struggling to express the tangled mess of fear and doubt within her.

Logan nodded, lips pressed into a thin line as he listened intently. He adjusted his glasses and let out a quiet breath. "I don't really know how to make things better," he confessed softly. "But... we're all here for you, you know? I'm here. And... I'd listen. If you ever wanted to talk, I mean." His words spilled out quickly, as if he feared losing the courage to say them if he hesitated. He ducked his head slightly, a faint blush coloring his cheeks, but sincerity radiated from his voice, revealing just how much he meant every word.