I was running. To what or what from, I don't know. All I knew was that the ground was flying past my feet and everything around me was a blur. The edge of my t-shirt got caught on a branch and I was yanked to the ground. My knee twisted the wrong way underneath me, I cried out to anyone for help. Begged, pleaded into the empty air for a friend. My only answer was the wind whipping through the empty trees. "Poor little Salem left all alone…"Came a voice from behind me. Tears began to stream down my face as I realized how true it was.

I woke up with a start and rubbed my throbbing knee, I cleared away the tears that had actually fallen. My heart felt as though it was trying to escape my chest. The quickened lub-dub pulsed in my ears, drowning out the sound of heavy breathing. Great, going to work my self into a frenzy over this one, I thought. Nightmares are a common occurrence for me, but this one really bothered me. It wasn't exactly scary, it was just the pure loneliness that resounded through it. I had friends who cared about me, why was this happening? There honestly was no rhyme or reason for this! The past few months had been amazing! The guys' had a steady gig, Hope and I had been hanging out. It was nearly the end of May, and we all had plans to keep this up in the summer.

"Wow universe, could we quit it with the freaky nightmares? No? Yeah, I didn't think so…" I sighed and tried to figure out what to do. Usually, I would call Blythe and talk it out with her, considering our current friendship standing, I don't see that being a possibility. She would always answer, regardless of the time, and listen as I told her about it. She betrayed that trust, there's no way I could call her now, I thought sadly.

I plucked my cell from the nightstand and scrolled through the numbers. The only one that a female, my age, and actually associated herself with me was Hope. I guess it was worth a shot. I sent her a text message to see if she was up. She replied with, I'm always up, certified creature of the night here :) I asked her if I could call her, she responded with an of course. I quickly dialed her number and tried to collect my thoughts.

"SALEM! What's up, my nigga?"

"Hope, we're white, I don't think that's kosher."

"I only look white, I'm a fifty-seven year old black woman in a teenage white girl's body. So, what has you up in the wee hours of the morning? Writing about the adventures of the fabulous All Time Low?"

"What?"

"Zack may have given me some papers to give to you, and I may or may not have read them. And by read them, I meant devour them. They were deliciously written."

"Really? You liked them?"

"I loved them! I don't mean to assume, but is that one chick based off of me? Jade something or another? She's an artist and the one guy's cousin."

"Jade Collinsworth you mean? Yeah, that's based on you. I guess it's obvious who is featured in the story?"

"Oh no! Not really, I mean Zack couldn't figure it out, and he's one of the main characters! He liked it a lot though, said you were a great writer."

"Oh wow, he said that?" I felt a blush slowly creep its way up my neck.

"All joking matter aside, why are you calling?"

"You're going to think it's weird."

"Salem Whatever-your-middle-name-is Carlile, have you seen the people I hang out with? I have a cousin who looks like my creepy goth older sister and a neighbor who is basically a hyperactive two year old in a seventeen year olds body. I could never think of you as weird, not in a bad way anyway."

I could hear the smile in her voice. I decided then that I trusted Hope, I knew she wasn't going to tell other people about this.

"Well, this is going to sound silly, but I had a nightmare. They happen a lot and all, but this one really got to me." I explained the dream to her.

"Well, that just sounds lovely. Add some rotting corpses hands popping through the ground and you've one hell of a horror movie. Hang on, that's going in my sketchbook. I see where you're coming from though, you don't feel alone around us, do you? I know the guys adore you and I thought we were cool."

"No, this defiantly has nothing to do with you guys. We totally are cool Hope, in fact I was kinda hoping we could be like friends."

"Oh yeah! A friend who's actually a girl! Yes! Great idea time, this one's going to knock you out, we should have a sleepover! Some girl bonding time!"

"Really? You want to?"

"Yes! Totally! You can sleep over after the guys' gig on Friday! It will be so much fun."

I nodded and then realized she couldn't see me. "Sure, it's date. Thanks Hope, this really means a lot to me."

"Okay, well I'm going to get down this sketch before I lose the idea, you relax and take it easy. I'm even going to e-mail you my playlist for when I'm having a bad night, okay? I think I have your e-mail somewhere, hang on….HERE IT IS! Night Salem dear!"

"Good night, Hope. Thank you again."

I felt better after talking to Hope and was actually really looking forward to Friday night. I slid my laptop out from under my bed and set about checking my emails. I got her playlist and was surprised to see some the guys' stuff on there. Not their covers, their original stuff. I stuck in my headphones and leaned back against the pillows as Alex's voice filled my ears.