Dad wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close. I was trembling in fear, "What's wrong," he asked.

"Blood. Blood. There was so much blood," I whispered in his ear. I gripped my hands on the back of his shirt and didn't want to let go. I heard ringing in my ears and my hands became suddenly weak. My eyes started growing weary and before I knew it daddy's voice grew faint and my body slammed against the bed sheets.

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I woke up, my head in a daze. Eventually the faces of my family became defined in the haze that blurred my view. My mom and dad sat at one side of the bed wringing out and replacing the washcloth that laid on my forehead. On the other was my boyfriend squeezing my hand. "Sam," I asked confused. His eyes widened.

"Alice," he said shocked. He kissed my forehead and my father shot him a warning glare. I laughed, and a sudden shot of pain coerced through my body. I groaned.

My mom scoffed. "What were you thinking, worrying your father like that? If you would have woken up any later we would have taken you to the hospital. You were screaming and shouting in your sleep for hours and we couldn't wake you up. You know your father has a meeting this mornings, he had to cancel with his clients..." She kept droning on, but I didn't listen to anything after that. I was too focused on Sam's eyes and became entranced their hews of blue. I memorized every detail of his face, as if seeing it for the first time. "Alice. Alice, are you listening to me," she shouted pulling me out of my trance.

"Sorry, yes, I am listening," I said turning my attention toward's her. She walked out of the room with her arms crossed, but dad didn't follow her. He stayed by my side. My mind recapped everythig that happened, but I didn't understand why a dream affected me in such a negative way. Nothing like that has ever happened before and I don't understand why. Melony walked in the room and I sat up. "Melony, what are you doing here," I asked grinning. She stopped and turned towards me after closing the door.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you thought I was horrible Aunt. You sounded shocked that Aunty Dearest would ever come visit you when you weren't feeling well," she joked holding her hand over heart.

We laughed and I winced, feeling another jolt of pain shoot through my back. "Are you doing well Alice?" She asked putting my hair behind my ear.

"I am fine, just a little nightmare."

"A nightmare! That's all, more like night terrors! I know you Alice, and it isn't like you be so frightened by something as trivial as a nightmare!" She was being dramatic again.

Sam smiled, "Damn right she is brave; her strong will is what made me fall for her." The room went silent and we stared into each other's eyes. "But her hard head can make her unbearable at times," he laughed.

"Oh shut up," I smiled taking the pillow from behind my back and hitting him with it. "At least I'm not a hard ass," I said sticking my tongue out at him.

"Watch your language missy," my dad said half jokingly.

"Where's Chris?" I asked, interrupted by Melony's ring tone.

"Scuse me," she said walking out of the room.

"Chris is upstairs in his room, like always," Daddy said muttering the last part. I heard Chris's voice grow louder as he yelled at someone. He is always on the phone, locked in his room. I remember the times he and I swam in grandma's pool, and had family picnics. We used to be so close- what changed? Mom and Dad blame it on the fact he is a teenager, but since I am on too, I can disclose those false pretenses. It seems to be something more than that, that has been bothering him lately. I can't put my finger on it, but whatever it is, it is not good.