When Lila slept with me, she was out. A complete and deep sleep that lasted through the night. After our confessions and admissions, things changed.
Her sleep wasn’t as smooth. I would wake to her normally still body jerking. Deep dreams that led to restless nights. She never woke, but as I stared down at her, there was no way I could let her continue to sleep.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, her arms covering her face against an invisible attacker.
“Lila,” I whispered as I shook her. No response. I tried again, the volume of my voice increasing with each attempt.
Worry overtook me, my shaking increasing.
She shot up, gasping, her eyes unfocused.
I’d never seen her like that. The sheer terror, being held captive in a dream I couldn’t wake her from.
She ran, stumbling her way to the
