Free Shattered and Shaken by Julie Bailes

thigh, helping me to relax, and eventually, I fall into a deep sleep.
     
    My heart flutters in excitement as he knock on the door. I reach for the door knob to welcome him home, but for some odd reason it isn't there. Looking around the living room, I realize there aren't any windows either. My only option is to kick the door down. He begins to speak to me, but I'm unable to hear his mumbles; they're drowned out by the thick cedar door separating us. Trying my best to get to him, I punch and kick the door with all my strength; however, it does nothing to the door, not even a chip in the wood.
    Attempting to tear down this door feels like I'm trying to move mountains - it's not happening. I bring my eyes to the peephole just to be sure he's still there, because his mumbling has turned silent. I see his face, but the glare from the light surrounding him makes is difficult to see his features. He's moving his lips, but no words come from him. I need to get to him, but how?
    Where's the fucking doorknob?
    The light shining into the peephole begins to go dim. Sneaking another peek, I see him with his back towards me. He's walking away, leaving me again "No! Kyle, no, please - stop!" I scream, but he continues walking as if he can't hear me.
    I have to scream louder.
    "Kyle, don't leave me! Please, please, please, come back!" I sob. "Take me with you, please," I scream.
    He's gone.
    He didn't bother trying to get to me. Placing my back against the door, I slide down and let the river flow. Tears stream down my face like waterfalls, and water begins to rise up my legs, quickly flooding our home. I try to force the tears back, but they’re out of my control; the harder I try to contain them, the more forceful their flow becomes. I attempt to stand as the water rises to my chin, but I'm pulled under by the current. The water's freezing and it causes my body to burn, feeling as if I've been thrown into a bed of pins and needles.
    I'm drowning.
    This is what Kyle wanted. He came to warn me,
     
    “Wake the fuck up!” Sophie yells, terrified.
    I feel a blow to my face, and it stings like a motherfucker. “Shit!” I scream. Opening my eyes, I grab my cheek. It feels like it's on fire. “What the fuck are you thinking, Soph? God dammit!” I sit up, pushing her off me so she falls to the floor.
    As her panicked eyes look up at me I realize there are tears streaming down her cheeks. “ Ohmygod, Sophie, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to knock you to the floor.” I kneel on the floor in front of her as she swipes the tears from her cheeks. “Soph, what's wrong?”
    Her face looks pained. “Allie, do you have any idea what you were doing? Do you know the words that were flowing from your mouth?”
    I remember my dream, most of it. “I believe I remember most of it, why?” I ask.
    “You crushed my fucking heart, Allie. You were in so much pain, pleading for Kyle, asking him to take you with him. You started gasping for air and shit; shaking like you were having a seizure. I screamed your name several times, hit you with pillows; I had no other choice but to bitch slap you, hard. You scared the shit out of me, literally - look,” she says, turning around and pointing to her bottom.
    I bust out in laughter. She really shit herself. Ohmygod! I'm laughing so hard my stomach hurts and my cheeks are in pain.
    “Shut. The. Fuck. Up,” Soph seethes angrily. Taking one of the pillows, she slams it into my face.
    “Ouch! I-I'm sorr-” I'm laughing so hard I can't finish my sentence.
    “Laugh all you want; they're your panties anyway.” I silence instantly. “Yeah, bitch, who's laughin' now?” she says, making her way to the bathroom.
    I stand and run after her, but she slams the door in my face, locking it behind her. “Look, I'm sorry I scared the shit out of you, literally,” I can barely contain my snicker, “but you better not put those funky panties in my hamper,” I giggle. Am I being insensitive, yes, but to be honest, I've