3 months ago...

Zak POV.

Heavy pants left my body as I stared at the bare walls around me. The dark room gave little away but I somehow knew that this place was bad. Seriously bad.

Lifting my hands off the damp floor, I tried to look at the substance that coated my palms, it felt like a mixture of greasy and smelt copper. It was dark in colour but without a proper light, I couldn't tell what it was.

A long groan would filter in the air every few seconds, sending my adrenaline and fear shooting through the roof. I would tense my body and wait for something to appear from the shadows, but nothing ever did.

Stumbling to my feet, my head felt woozy and I had to steady myself, trying to blink away the dizziness but it was no use.  Pushing myself forward, I began to feel around the room, trying to find a door, an exit, an escape.

A putrid smell would fill the air, making my nose crinkle in disgust and my stomach heave. The smell so foul that I contemplated going back to avoid it.

But I couldn't, I had to keep going.

The groan followed.

My feet felt heavy, my body struggled to move as pain soared through my system. Was I hurt? I must be hurt, but how?

I stopped and leant against the wall, praying for some kind of sign. Some help from someone above, to guide me to safety, to give me some aid.

But instead, I felt long nails begin dragged down my skin. Like sharp nails, they penetrated my skin, shredding the flesh and muscle back to the bone. I cried in agony and grabbed my arm, black oozing looked like it was coming from the wound but I knew in this poor light it was my blood.

"Stop!"

The nails came again.  Tearing at my leg. Then again at my stomach.

I was helpless. Trying to defend myself in the dark against a creature I couldn't see. It's nails causing damage I knew I couldn't repair.

My legs have our, the muscles too shredded to function. Crying in pain, I rolled onto my stomach and tried to pull myself away when a heavy pressure landed on my back. That's when I felt the heavy breath, the demonic laugh....

......

I jolted out of my sleep, throwing the sheets that were on my body up the air as I fought with them, trying to check my body for any injuries. A layer of sweat laid across my body, making me feel clammy and sticky.

With no signs of injuries, I lifted my hands and wiped the sweat off my face before looking around the room. Breathing carefully, I grabbed my phone and turned on the torch, checking the dark before I hit on the touch lamp, basking the room in a warm white glow.

Using the note section on my phone, I logged the time and the date. 3rd night, 8th dream.

"Shit." I murmured before getting out of the bed and accessing the wet outline of my body. "Third night of this too."

I ripped the sheets of the bed and threw them into the laundry basket, wondering if my neighbours thought I was incontinent with how much I was washing my bedsheets. Fuck them. They don't know what I go through.
I scrapped the idea of re-making the bed and decided to take a shower.

Letting the cool water wash over my skin, I lathered up and rinsed twice before scrubbing my hair. Once all traces of shampoo were gone, I got out and dried myself off.

Routine took over itself and before long I was changed, letting Gracie out for the toilet before I took off out into the night.

I tried to keep my mind clear, but the screams I gave out in my dream, haunted my mind. It made me feel hot and clammy with anxiety every time a flash of blood flipped through my mind.

Blood.

Oil.

Groans.

Heavy breathing.

Cries.

Pain.

Nails.

Screams.

Silence...

The images stopped and the pain evaporated.

Sweet perfume filled my nose, a gentle wait sat on my legs, soft fingers threaded through my hair and a pair of lips kissed my throat.

"Hey baby.."  The honey like voice would whisper, bringing me to the present. Calming my nerves and easing me into the here and now. Her therapeutic fingers working any tension from my shoulders or arms. Sometimes I'd feel her nails, as they gently brush my scalp as they try to guide my hair behind my ears.

My eyes would find hers, deep, connected and soft. Fluttering at me with patience and understand as I struggled to deal with the spiritual battle I was having.

"Leah.." I rasped, feeling as if I was going to fall back into the dark abyss of my mind.

Her lips would press against mine gently, the strawberry lip balm tickled my tastebuds as our tongues mingled.

"I'm right here." She would hum, bringing me back in.

Like a moth to the flame.

••••••••••••••••••••

Present.

The yell died out into the nights air as I sat bolt up right in bed. Sweat beads rolled down off my temple slowly as I huffed at the air trying to get oxygen into my lungs.

I was back there. Back in the room. Back in the dark corner of my mind that I thought had disappeared months ago. But I was wrong. It was still there, laying dormant, waiting..

The sickly feeling covered my body as I pushed the sheet off my legs and placed them over the side of the bed. My body still trembling from the fear that I had gone through in those moments.

"Come on..." I whispered. Before anger filled my system. My fists clenched as the images came into my mind, ready to taunt.

"Come on!" I growled loudly thumping my fists into the side of my head, trying to thump the pain out, whilst causing a little more.

Reaching for my phone, I checked the time and sighed. 3.21am.

My mind went back to the room, the blood, the groans, the cries, the pain, the screams and the heaviness. But one thing had changed....

I wasn't alone.

The fear looked real in her eyes, the pain in my soul when I saw her being harmed tore me apart. I couldn't help her, I couldn't save her. I couldn't shield her from harm. I had to watch.

My hands shook and with trembling fingers I typed out yet another message to her.

I hit send and then realise how pathetic I sounded.

The nightmares. Boo fucking hoo. Her ex boyfriend was front line. Zak you're a pussy. No wonder she left. She needs a real man.

I yelled out as my fist connected with the side of my head again, trying to shut my brain up from its taunt.

Three days and I was falling apart. How did I cope before? Was I coping before?

Or was I under some false pretence that I had my shit together? Probably that..

I couldn't handle this anymore, I was going to see her. Even if I had to go and knock on the damn door...

•••••••••••••••••••••••

Question: What do you get when you have a very tired, emotional & confused Zak, aaaaand a 3am unannounced visit, with Leah & her clingy ex?

One. Epic. Show. Down.