Chapter Two

Lisa was jolted awake by a soft sound, barely audible at first but growing in intensity. Her heightened senses picked up the muffled sobs coming from the other side of the wall. Her hearts sank as she sensed a wave of fear and distress radiating from Poul’s room. Without hesitation, she slipped out of bed, put on her glasses, and rushed to his door.

The sight that met her as she entered the room broke her hearts. Poul was thrashing slightly in his sleep, his face twisted in anguish, tears streaming down his cheeks. His breathing was ragged, and he mumbled incoherently, caught in the throes of a nightmare.

“Poul…” Lisa called softly, approaching the bed. He didn’t respond, still trapped in his dream, his body trembling. She reached out and gently shook his shoulder. “Poul, wake up. It’s just a dream. Wake up!”

For a moment, he remained ensnared in the nightmare, his cries growing louder, more desperate. But then, his eyes flew open, wild and unfocused, as if he was still caught in the horrors of his sleep.

“Poul,” she repeated, her voice calm but firm. “It’s me, Lisa. You’re safe.” She reached out and gently caressed his cheek.

It took a moment for recognition to dawn in his eyes. When it did, he collapsed into her arms, his body shaking uncontrollably. “Lisa…” he whispered, his voice cracking as fresh tears spilled down his face.

“Shh, it’s okay,” she soothed, wrapping her arms around him and pulling him close. Her wings instinctively unfolded, encasing them both like a protective cocoon. “I’m here, Poul. I’ve got you.”

He clung to her, burying his face in her shoulder as sobs wracked his body. “R-robots…no, n-not robots…w-walking dead…” His voice was barely audible, but the terror in it was unmistakable. “Blood…on its hand…so much fear…”

“I know, Poul. I know,” she whispered back, stroking his hair gently. “But it wasn’t real. You’re here with me now. You’re safe.”

His trembling continued, but he seemed to draw some comfort from her presence, from the steady rhythm of her breathing and the warmth of her embrace. She held him tightly, her hand moving soothingly through his hair, doing everything she could to calm him.

Gradually, his sobs subsided, though the tears still flowed, soaking into her shirt. “I-I’m sorry,” he stammered, his voice thick with emotion.

“Don’t be sorry,” she said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of his head. “You’ve been through so much. It’s okay to feel like this.”

He nodded against her shoulder, unable to speak. His grip on her tightened as if afraid she might disappear if he let go. Lisa simply held him, her hearts aching for the pain he was in, vowing silently to stay by his side for as long as he needed her.

Lisa rested her cheek against his head and stroked his hair, waiting patiently until he was ready to talk again. She noticed him matching his breathing to the rhythm of her hand, so she deliberately slowed her movements to help him regulate and calm down.

It took several minutes before he finally stopped shaking and released his hold on her, though he placed his hand over hers and twined their fingers as if he needed the physical contact to ensure she was still there.

She squeezed his hand, using her other to wipe away his tears. “Can I get you anything?”

Poul shook his head. “No, t-thank you.” He leaned into her touch, closing his eyes and taking another deep breath that turned into a yawn.

Lisa smiled softly, brushing her thumb along his cheekbone. “Do you want to try going back to sleep?”

He opened his eyes and looked pleadingly at her. “W…will you stay?” he asked quietly, tightening his grip on her hand.

Her hearts broke all over again. “Okay,” she said. “I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”

Poul exhaled with a soft whoosh. “Thank you…” He leaned back onto his pillows and folded his hands on his chest.

Lisa gently stroked his cheek, murmuring, “Shh…” in rhythm with her touch, watching as his eyelids flickered, drooped, and finally closed. He seemed peaceful; she hoped it would last more than just a few hours.

Moving as softly as possible, she eased herself off the bed, getting ready to slip away. Almost immediately, Poul seemed to sense her absence, and his breathing started to quicken; with a grimace, he let out small sounds of distress.

“Oh, Poul…” she whispered, going back to his side and placing a hand over his. “Shh, I’m here.”

Even while resting, he seemed to relax at her touch. She decided right then and there that she would have to stay with him tonight. Taking off her glasses and placing them on the bedside table, she settled into a comfortable position beside him, folding one wing over herself and using her telekinesis to cover him with his blanket. Placing one hand on his arm so he’d know she was there – he seemed to smile even in slumber – she shut her eyes and drifted off.

End chapter two.

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