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There are times in life when you run toward something.
And there are times you run away.
Neither choice is shameful.
But either way, you’re running.
ALLISON
“Sam?” I call out her name again and my voice echoes in the empty hallway.
There’s no one else around. The deserted halls of the school mock me as I move from room to room looking for her. “Sam,” I barely whisper her name.
It feels odd as I open the doors. Almost like they’re expecting me, since they open so easily. They creak open slowly though, making me wait as I hold my breath.
Each room gives me nothing. They’re all empty and dark and every time it scares me to move beyond the doorframe. So, I just look in and whisper her name. Quietly, praying she’ll hear me.
Door after door, I keep moving through the hall. Waiting to see her. I can picture how she used to sit on top of her desk, cross-legged with her book in her lap. I keep waiting to see her there smiling back at me. But there’s nothing. Just empty rooms, each one darker than the next. The halls grow cold and I forget why I need her.
I thought I was following her. I swear I heard her call for me.
She needs my help. The reminder makes my body freeze as a chill flows over me and makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I can feel it. Deep down in my gut, the pain twists and turns, writhing into a coil that crawls up my spine.
She needs me, and I’m failing her.
The last door opens before I touch the knob. The light flickers on and off and then settles dimly in the center of the room. On Sam. But she’s not seated on the desk. She’s slumped against the wall, sitting on the floor by the closed, dark window.
Her eyes are sad and her face hollowed.
The darkness around her makes her seem pale and colorless.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers.
My body joltsupright as the silent scream tears through me.
My heart races and sweat covers my body. I can hardly hear Dean as he grips me harder, staring at me and pushing the hair out of my face. I can’t see or hear anything other than Sam.
It was like I was really there.
Like she was right there.
“Allison,” Dean says, his voice piercing through the memory. “Are you okay?”
He’s breathless, his fingers digging into my shoulder and his dark gaze pinning me in place. It takes me a long second before I realize he’s here with me. He’s here now. His palm brushes against my forehead again, pushing the loose strands of hair away from my face. He’s so warm and my body’s freezing.
I blink away the vision of the night terror and try desperately to calm my breathing as his hold loosens and I bring the covers up closer to my neck.
Her voice was so clear.
My breathing won’t calm. My chest heaves violently as I wipe my eyes and pull away from him. She was right there. Sam was right there.
“Talk to me,” Dean commands me but that’s just not possible.
Slowly, my heart calms.
“You were having a nightmare,” Dean tells me like I don’t know what happened. “It was just a nightmare.”
My head nods of its own accord as I slip back beneath the covers, seeking their warmth.
