16. Dale's Nightmare

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His eyes fluttered, he could feel sleep pulling him in...

I won't give up on you

These scars won't tear us apart

So don't give up on me

It's not too late for us

And I'll save you from yourself

And I'll save you from yourself

He listened to the lyrics, his eyes closed and listening to Oli Sykes vocals straining themselves, and the fast drumming hammered his eardrums. He tapped his feet, unable to control himself. A small smile creeped its way onto his face. He was in his own little world.

“What’s this?!” was the shout that echoed through the darkness into Dale’s brain and he opened his eyes.

“What is it?” Dale mumbled.

“A letter!” his father growled, low and fierce.  “Why have you got a letter, you stupid boy?"

“I…It must be my entrance exam results-“ he began, feeling the usual dread flood back to him.

“SHUT UP!” his father roared.

The fear clouded over. The pain flooded his brain. His neck twitched. He hated.

“STUPID, USELESS BOY!”  His father screamed.

Dale woke up in sweat, anger flooding his chest uncomfortably, and he breathed.

He's not here, he reminded himself. He's gone. You're fine. A dream, Dale: it was a dream.

He rolled over and sighed, pulling his bed sheets over his head and hoping sleep would come.

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