The room was lit only by a candle that was already at the end. I sneaked into the armchair to get the blanket that was on it. I'd sleep on the window counter. Sighing, I went to bed and looked at Alec's face. There was a cut on his forehead, another on his lower lip and one on his right eyebrow. In addition to those wounds, there was also a blow to the ribs on the right, which were quite purple. Dropping another sigh, I ran my hand over Alec's face. I got scared when he held my wrist.
- What a scare, Alec! - said trying to pull him out. - I thought you were asleep.
- I was. - he answered with a whisper. - I was waiting around for you. I don't want you to sleep on the floor.
- I won't sleep on the floor. - I answered. - There's a counter in the window, that's where I'll spend the night. If you need anything, just call me.
- No. - He pulled my wrist when I tried to get rid of it. - The bed's huge, so we can split it up no problem. I promise to behave.
I kept staring at Alec.
- Please, please, please, please, please, please! - he insisted.
- All right! - I agreed by making a face.
He smiled at my wrist and then closed his eyes. The other hand remained resting on his chest. I could see Alec's chest rise and fall as he breathed.
- If you keep looking at me like that, I won't answer for my actions. - he said between laughs and coughs.
Turning my eyes, I went around the bed and lay down. Alec was right to mention how big the bed was. There was a chance that at least three people would sleep on that mattress. Well, three people my size, because Alec was big enough to occupy a much bigger space. There was no possibility of another person, with the same physical size as him, lying among us.
- I'm sorry I gave the girl the impression that I wanted her somehow. - Alec whispered. - I didn't want her company, I just tried to be a gentleman and took the drink. I didn't think it would hurt to drink a glass of beer on offer...
- For a beautiful woman? - I ironized. - Would you have accepted if she was ugly?
- I'd have accepted it if I was drunk enough not to see right.
I snorted when I heard Alec's answer and he gave me a laugh and started coughing right away.
- What's up? I said, "I'm worried.
- I've been better. - he replied in a debauched way. - Thank you for saving my life! I promise to make it up to you somehow.
- It wasn't that hard. - said by shrugging his shoulders. - Those men were very dumb and they knew it. Otherwise, they wouldn't have drugged him.
Alec had another laugh.
- How's your arm?
- He'll be fine. - ...I sighed back and passed the hand where the cut had been made. - It was a graze. There's nothing for me to worry about.
- I'm glad to hear that. - he whispered before he turned to my side and put a soft kiss on my forehead. - Good night!
Alec's voice disappeared behind a heavy sigh. The gesture took me by surprise, because it was soft enough not to go with Alec. Not that his nature wasn't kind, but Alec was never noble enough to show affection for strangers. Without knowing the reason, I smiled in the darkness and put my hand on the place where he had kissed. It was the first time in a long time that anyone showed affection for me. I still didn't know what it meant, but I felt good. Turning to the side, I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep. I was too tired to listen to the thoughts in my mind.
I woke up with a bang on my shoulders. A scream echoed in the air and then I jumped, sitting on the bed. A pair of worried eyes stared at me while I was breathing hard.
- Calm down! - Alec said in a soft voice. - Take a deep breath. It was just a nightmare.
I stared at him with a frown. I looked around the room looking for the shadows that populated my sleep, but despite the darkness, there was nothing. Only the sound of my breath could be heard. It took me some time to realize that the scream I had heard was my own. It was another one of my nightmares.
- When will this end? - I whispered, putting my hands on my head. - When... When will those shadows disappear?
Without being able to contain myself any longer, I collapsed in tears. Alec hugged me by passing one hand on my back.
- Shii! Cry. - he said in a soft voice. - I know what you're feeling, and I promise it'll pass. No matter how long it takes, it'll pass.
Alec nested me against his chest and let me cry. Never in my life had I felt so fragile and for me, that was pathetic. As if reading my thoughts, Alec pressed me against her chest, caressing my hair.
- Don't worry. Don't worry. I won't
