Otsana
“Do you care to share the nightmare you’re having?” Paul’s voice cut through the silence, startling me. I froze, feeling the rapid thudding of my heart as the reality of his question sank in.
I had lied, of course. It wasn’t a nightmare at all, but how could I tell him the truth? How could I admit that it was the flashbacks—the relentless memories that clawed at me in the dead of night? I couldn’t bring myself to tell him about Ralph, who I had run into by mere coincidence. The mere thought of revealing that encounter made my chest tighten with anxiety.
“N-nothing,” I stammered, trying desperately to brush it off. “Just a weird dream, that’s all. Nothing important.” I shrugged, forcing a smile that I hoped was convincing enough to hide the turmoil brewing inside me.
But Paul was
