Will POV

The heat that was being radiated from next to me was interrupted by random, chilling winds.

I didn't want to wake up, I was comfortable. I felt safe. I felt...free.
Almost like the dream but this was a sliver of what the dream had offered.
There was a comfortable weight on my head, I peaked above me and saw that Matt was sleeping. He was leaning his head on top of mine.
My arms were coiled around his firm, left arm.

My eyes were transfixed on Matt's face. His sharp jawline, his dishelved brown hair, the short black stubble and the small smile that played on his lips.
It was that smile that made my heart thump ever so slightly. Was I the reason for that smile?
I couldn't contain a shy smile of my own. I unwound myself from Matt, stood up and stretched.

Taking a deep breath I observed the rest of the group. Logan was asleep with Lucian leaning on his shoulder. Gloria slept peacefully on a mattress made from chair cushions.
The only other one awake was Valarie - as usual.

She sat on the edge of the broken window, seemingly lost in thought. It was still overcast, the clouds seemed to be stagnant. Every now and then I would see a bright flash of lightning in the distance. But the noise it caused wasn't so loud, which meant it was relatively far away.
Despite the purplish, violent clouds there wasn't a single drop of rain. But, it did set me a little on edge. The lack of light with bruised clouds above and whipping lighting - it all made me feel as if something big was going to happen.

I shrugged the thought off, grabbed a water bottle and sat next to Valarie. We didn't acknowledge one another. We were aware of the other's presence but that was as far as the communication went. I preferred it that way. Business all day, all night.

Another crack of lighting flashed, illuminating the room. It was eery as a chilly wind whipped past Valarie and I.

Neither of us shivered. We simply accepted the fact that it was cold. Yet, we showed no outward signs supporting that fact. Perhaps that's why people think of us as harsh and merciless. It doesn't bother me in any way.

Valarie and I sat in icy silence for quite some time. Neither of us moving, almost as if it were a competition. Although, it wasn't. This was our form of communication. Silence.

"We need to start making plans of relocation." She said this nonchalantly.

I understood her reasoning already. Valarie hated weakness. Staying in one place for too long created a sense of safety - however false it may be.
When people feel safe, they tend to stop improving their survival instincts. In turn, they become lazy and frightened all over again.

To add to that, Matt, Lucian and I hadn't discovered the path the Cannibal's were taking - we were too busy fearing for our lives. So it's entirely possible that they would eventually search this building.

"I agree. But we would need to find a building similar to this one. At least ten floors. Two escape routes and a proper view."

She nodded blandly.

There was a loud roar of thunder, to the extent that I cringed in the slightest - something I would've never done before. Curse that evil dream for making me vulnerable again.

I heard a scuffle behind us so Valarie and I turned to see what it was.

Lucian had pushed Logan to the ground, "What the fuck dude?! I'm straight!"

My eyes widened ever so slightly in wonder. Wonder as to how Logan would handle this. I watched him carefully. His fists balled up and his face turned two shades pinker in obvious anger.

"W-well so am I!" Logan screamed back.

Lucian simply scoffed and walked over to the water bottles, acting as though nothing had happened. Truly happy-go-lucky.
Logan on the other hand narrowed his eyes at Lucian and took a sharp inhale. His eyes eventually met mine and he smiled a guilty smile.
A smile I would've found charming five days ago.

I found that smile repulsive now. It was green with lies and false love.
I snapped my head back to the window and continued to watch the rolling clouds while drinking my water.

A hand landed on my shoulder and the hum that flowed through me gave away the person's identity.
Matt sat down next to me, his shoulder to mine and leg against my leg. The hum was more of a jolt now - yet it hurt so good.

It was quiet again, not the same silence I shared with Valarie. This silence was filled with unspoken words - swirling around, begging to be heard.  Matt was playing with his tan fingers, something he does when he's nervous.

I opened my mouth then closed it. What do I say? Insecurity crept up on me. I swallowed it and shoved bravery in its place, a painful process but a worth it one.

"How did you sleep?"

He looked up at me, his stunning emerald orbs meeting my eyes. In those eyes I found the smallest sense of relief, because in those orbs I saw a sparkle of doubtful hope. It was better than nothing.

"I slept well for the first time in a long time", he said softly yet intensely.

A blush crept up my face, so in cowardice I looked away. What was I afraid of? I couldn't pinpoint it.

I knew I wanted Matt, that dream made it crystal clear. But I was afraid.

"What the hell is this?", Logan seethed at Matt and I.

I turned around boredly and looked at Logan. He was obviously still hurt by Lucian's rejection. He was trying to displace his anger on Matt and that...upset me. It upset me badly.

I stood up calmly, "I should leave...", Matt said softly.

I turned to him with a blank expression, "Stay."
He looked up at me with sadness. It made my heart tremble but I had to focus.

Logan adorned the most obnoxious smirk and opened his arms, inviting me for a hug. I smiled sweetly at him, my anger boiling viciously, burning my stomach. I slowly approached Logan, and stopped just out of reach of his hug.

I patted his cheek gently, "Oh sweet, oblivious Logan. You're nothing to me."

His eyes widened in what I thought was panic. "This is all because of him", he pointed at Matt, "he's trying to steal you from me. Come here Matt, let's see who gets-"

I cut him off by kneeing him in the gut. I could feel the air rush out of his lungs. He doubled over in pain and so I grabbed his hair and lifted his face to meet my gaze.

And I knew, through the reflection in his terrified eyes, that my gaze held nothing but acid.

"Logan", I whispered calmly, "I've saved your life twice. You owe me. You owe me your life two times over.
In short, I own you. You seem to be confused in thinking I'm anyone's possession", I leaned in closer, " If you dare talk to Matt like that again, I can - and will - kill you."

I let go of his hair and he fell to the floor.

I don't lie to myself, that felt very satisfying. I felt the power surge through me, I felt the authenticity of my threat. And I felt pride in defending Matt.
I sat back down next to Valarie - who stared dejectedly out into the open - and Matt who had saucers for eyes.

I grabbed Matt's arm and leaned my head on his shoulder, relishing the electricity. His muscles tensed then, almost instantly, relaxed.

This is where I belong.

So what am I scared of?

It was just a dream.

_______________________________________

Icy's A/N: If you haven't noticed, I'm trying to put relevant pictures to go with the chapters. Please let me know if it's working in conjunction with the content or not ❤️

Secondly, I'd like to give a shout out to:
BogdanRaducan3
Tanuja84
See_Barb_Write

for supporting this series and giving me awesome advice, reading it, voting for it and in general just being awesome humans. You guys rock!