I wish I could

I had agreed to let Alex sleep at my place tonight because he had been scared about nightmares. I had been worried about him not having his pills but I thought it would be better anyways if he didn’t always use them, even if they advertised with “not addicting”.

I did my best to console him, rubbing circles into his back, shushing him as well as whispering sweet little nothings into his ears. It took some time but he fell asleep as did I soon after.

When I woke up, it was due to Alex moving in bed. He was kicking his legs and mumbling words. I could hear a muffled scream and that was when I decided to wake him up. Only I couldn’t. I tried everything, pinching him, shaking him, talking, hugging him, kissing him, even pulling his hair. But it didn’t work. I started to be scared but it seemed like I would just have to wait.

While waiting, I looked up the internet on the issue. Many people seemed to have similar problems with their partners but nobody really knew a solution to it.

Finally, Alex got calmer. I spooned him and shook him a bit and much to my relief he woke up.
“Lexy? Are you okay?” I asked cautiously. He didn’t reply, sobs were shaking his skinny frame. I hugged him tightly and stroked his hair.

After some time, he got less distressed and turned around to snuggle into the crook of my neck. He sniffled some more but stopped crying.

“Shh, my little darling. If you want to talk, we can,” I offered.

“I… I had a nightmare…” he mumbled.

“I thought so, yes. Do you want to talk?” I asked.

“It was the dream I have most nights… The memories…” he stuttered, new tears soaking through the fabric of my t-shirt. He did not continue so I softly touched his hair, waiting for him to continue, but he didn’t. His breaths got calmer and I realized he must have been so tired that he fell asleep again.

Well, that only left me with more questions than I already had.

Notes

I was so tired when I wrote yesterday's chapter I had to read through it again today because I didn't remember what I wrote haha...

What do you think happened to Alex in his past? Leave some comments!

-Laura