ZANDER

She was so warm now. The past day felt like a blur. The sleep I'd gotten before hand seemed a life time ago, and I was so tired. I'd been up for over 24 hours looking for Al and I hadn't slept since.

I couldn't. I was worried that if I did she'd disappear again.

"Are you okay?"

Her beautiful eyes were looking up at me for understanding. I could tell she wasn't going to tell me anything about what had happened to her. That was okay, for now.

"Yeah. Just tired."

"Go to sleep then."

"No." My response was blunt and it surprised her.

"Why?"

"I can't."

"Yes you can."

"No I can't."

She was confused and she had every right to be, but I wasn't going to let the same mistake happen again.

"I'm really tired Zan."

"Go to sleep then."

She laughed and sighed.

"Are you sure you don't want a nap?"

"Sure. I'll be right here when you wake up."

"Okay."

Allison lay down on the large bed and covered herself up in the blankets. I tucked her into the covers and went to get up.

I spent the next hour reading and drawing at her desk.

******

"Zander. Zander. Zan-"

"Hey I'm here."

She must have had a nightmare. I sat next to her on the bed and waited for a response. She just kept calling my name.

Then she started crying. I woke her up and told her I was there, that no one could hurt her anymore.

"Stay with me." She was in fits of sobs and I felt so bad.

Nodding, I lay down next to her on top of the covers. She nestled up to my chest and entwined my hand with hers.

We lay there for what felt like a life time. I couldn't stop listening to her heartbeat as she fell into a deeper sleep.

I wanted so badly to fall asleep too, but I couldn't.