You Can't Hide It Forever - Epilogue
#10 of You Can't Hide It Forever
"Wait, I thought this wasn't finished yet?" It isn't. :( I explained it in this journal.https://www.sofurry.com/view/1008517
I screamed. I awoke with a start, thrashing and writhing under the covers. The pain... the fire... it back. It was all back. And it only got worse as I painfully struggled at my binds. My arm was still in the sling, and the bandages around the rest of my body rubbed painfully against my wounds. I suddenly felt a warm but powerful arm over my chest and a soft hand alongside my cheek.
"David! David!" I heard her cry out. I stopped my struggling at looked at Cassandra's face. So concerned, so full of love but pain as well. "Ssshhh... it's okay..." He stroked the side of my face. "It's just a dream, babe. You're fine." My eyes darted around the room, looking to her face one more time, then clenching them in tears.
"I'm sorry..." I squeaked out, beginning to sob. She hugged me tight, and I put my one good arm around her. I huffed and suppressed my sobs in my chest. After a few moments I was calmer, though my heart still raced.
"The fire again?" She asked. I nodded and buried my nose in her hair, inhaling the sweet scent of her most recent shampooing. She sighed and rubbed my chest as we laid there.
"I can't believe I'm still doing this..." I groaned, letting my head fall back against my pillow. "Just... waking you up at all times in the night..." I shuddered. Cassandra kissed my collarbone.
"It's nothing. I'm just glad you're here." She squeezed me tight, causing me a slight amount of pain. But I didn't mind. It was so worth it. She looked deep into my eyes and smiled. I gave a weak smile back and put my arm over her back, trying to make her feel safe even if I didn't.
"Thank you..." I whispered, holding her tight against me. She smiled and leaned her head against my chest.
"Anytime love. Anytime." She dozed off on my chest as her pillow.
As she slept there so peacefully, I began to think of it all. If she hadn't seen my scar, stuck through it all with me, she wouldn't have been there at all to save me. I wouldn't be here, and she wouldn't be with me. For the first time, the latter really made me pause for even more thought. Looking down at her asleep on my chest, I knew she had been through so much, and had her life turned upside-down. She did leave, but more importantly, she came back. She came back at the most dangerous time, when most would have ran instead. And she risked herself to save me. Prison, injury, and her own life. She risked it all for me. It made my heart flutter.
I finally had somebody. Even if my arm was too messed up to function normal again. Even if my nightmares never ended. No matter what happens now, she will be there for me. And I will be there for her.