Page 144 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

“I, I..” Maddie shook her head, unable to find the words to explain what she had dreamt. What she had seen. They were getting worse than ever.

“It’s just a nightmare.” Cole murmured glancing back at Brandon who took the hint to leave them to it.

Cole walked over to her and clambered back into the bed. “It’s not real. Whatever you saw…”

“Yes it was.” Maddie whispered. “It was real. It’s exactly what he did.”

“Who?”

“Gary Falconier.” She said so quietly he barely heard.

“Who is he?” Cole asked.

“The man I stabbed.”

He sighed. “You’re stressed. There’s so much going on right now it’s no wonder your mind is playing tricks on you but nothing is going to happen. Both Brandon and I will keep you safe. That man will never get near you again, you hear me?”

She nodded leaning further into him, breathing his seductive, heedy smell and feeling her heart begin to calm a bit.

“Where were you? Why weren’t you sleeping?” She asked.

“I couldn’t sleep. Brandon and I were downstairs working.” He replied.

“What time is it?”

“Just gone five.” He stated. “Get some sleep. Your body needs to rest to heal.”

“Can you stay with me?” She asked and he frowned. She sounded so different from the normal Maddie, the strong Maddie, she sounded so vulnerable right now.

“I’m not going anywhere.” He said stroking her hair, watching as she slowly drifted back to sleep.

---