I was worried about the small girl sleeping soundly beside me. Even though I was the one taking medication, I felt like she was the one going crazy. Maybe it was from the things I had put her through, or maybe it was from the questions she still had about my past, when there was barely any us. I don't blame her for still being so haunted by everything. I was, too. The things I did will forever be burned into my mind and I'll never be able to let them go. From the drugs, to the beatings, to Bri. Honestly, I was the biggest piece of shit there ever was, but Ember was gold. I couldn't let her suffer from my mistakes.


Perhaps sleeping it off would have helped me to feel better about everything, but Ember was tossing and turning again. Even Bailey was begging to get off of the bed. Letting the dog down, I flipped on the light by the bed so I could make sure she wasn't tearing anything up, but I found myself simply staring at Ember. Her eyelids were going crazy and her mouth was barey hanging open. Then, she started to speak.


"Jack, no, stop!"


Wincing at her words, I slid out of bed, not wanting to hear anymore. I called the dog to follow me to the door, where I hooked up her leash, slid on my shoes and made my way out of the building. Bailey popped a squat at the front of the building, wagging her tail the moment she was done. Chuckling at the hyper pup, I pulled out my cell phone and sent Alex a text. The chances of him being awake were slim, but I needed to know what Ember had told him earlier.


She's dreaming about you as like, a fucking demon. Now don't text until the sun comes up, fucker.


Even though Alex's text made me laugh, it also made me feel like shit. Is that how Ember saw me? As the crazy son of a bitch from a few months ago? I admit, I was a horrible person, but she had to know that's not the real me. Going back to that state was something I refused to do again. But.. If being with Ember makes her suffer, maybe we just aren't meant to be...


With a sigh, I led Bailey back to our home. The moment I let her off her leash, she took off back to the bedroom. I, on the other hand, decided to make some coffee and relax in front of the new tv. There was no way I'd be able to sleep knowing that Ember was so restless beside me.


Apparently releasing Bailey was a bad idea, because Ember came stumbling through the house with a yawn and messy hair. Our first night here and we were both up at three in the morning. She staggered down the stairs and gave me a confused look. For a moment, she looked scared, and I knew she couldn't figure out which me she was looking at. It broke my heart.


"Why are you up?"


"Bailey had to pee," I shrugged, taking a sip of my coffee. "Walking her woke me up more than it should've."


"Oh. Come back to bed?"


"I'm not that tired," I sighed, trying hard not to sound bitter. "Maybe you'll sleep better if I'm not there."


"You sound grumpy enough to need sleep."


"Just go back to bed, babe."


Ember rolled her eyes and picked Bailey up, making her way back to the bedroom. I did my best to calm myself. This whole thing would be a lot easier if she'd just talk to me about it. Nothing could get better until she got it all out on the table. I was ashamed of my past, but I wasn't running from it. Not anymore.


But for some reason, I felt like she'd be running from me if she didn't voice her fears.

Notes

This is short and it sucks, I'm sorry. I had a rough night last night and I still have a fever today. But I couldn't not update because I love you all so much. <3.