It's A Shame by C.E. Hansen Read Free Book Online

the office if it’ll keep you up.”
    “No, I’m so tired nothing will keep me up.”  I kissed him and threw my leg over his. “Stay here…please ,” I whispered imploringly, wondering myself how I would be able to fall asleep after tonight, even feeling as tired as I was.
    He sat up and opened his laptop, leaning back against the plush headboard. I raised my eyes up to him and saw the glow of the screen illuminating his perfect features and watched as a worried frown settled on his face.  I rolled over, my back flush against his body and closed my eyes. 
    I dreamt of the night he almost killed us.  I saw the evil look in his ice blue eyes.  Michelle floated towards me with her arms outstretched, her throat slit open, blood spraying everywhere.  I turned my head and watched Cole wrestle with Jonathan in slow motion, a knife in his hand… Jonathan’s fingers were wrapped around the handle of a straight razor. 
    Deep gashes opened, pulsing blood sprayed out painting my body. I turned and saw my reflection in the wide windows; trails left by my tears weaved down my face through the coating of blood. Cole was cut in several places, the knife protruding from Jonathan’s chest. I tried to scream, but no sound would come. I raised my hand to my neck…my throat had been cut too.
    Jonathan rose, stepped over Cole’s dead body and walked towards me, the razor coated in blood dripped. It was so strange to me that all I could hear was the plop, plop, plop of the blood hitting the floor… he started laughing manically as he raised his arm above my head, preparing to slash down…
    I abruptly sat up in bed panting, my fingers encircling my throat, my nightshirt sticking to my body as the sweat ran down my back. I quickly pulled my hand away and looked at my fingers…no blood.  My hair was plastered to my head with perspiration. I shook it violently trying to eject the visions.  It was all so surreal.
    I quickly scanned the immediate area, trying to see through the haze of sleep and darkness that permeated the room.  Dawn was just breaking and the room was cast in a dim pink and gold glow that crept along the floor and slowly up the walls.  My breathing was erratic, coming in rapid, irregular pants.  I turned my head looking for Cole and grabbed air trying to find him, but he wasn’t there. I immediately panicked. 
    Jumping out of bed I ran into the living room and found him there, asleep on the sofa, a troubled look on his face.  I stepped closer to him and he stirred, his eyes flashed open and he immediately sat up.
    “Grace, you okay?  What’s wrong?”
    “I had a bad dream.” I looked around the room in a semi-panic, waiting for Jonathan to jump out from any and every dark corner. “I woke up and you were gone.”
    He reached out and grabbed my hand pulling me down on top of him . He yanked his blanket over me and wrapped his arms around me.
    “I couldn’t sleep and you were moving around so much. I thought the light from the computer was keeping you awake.”
    “Mmm.  Don’t let go ,” I mumbled into his neck feeling safe in his arms.
    “Never.”  He tightened his grip on me. “You’re shaking.”
    “ Really bad dream.”
    “Hmmm.” He kissed my temple.
     
     
     

     
     
     
    After I had my coffee and Cole ate breakfast, he went into the bedroom to shower and get ready for work.  I cleaned up the kitchen and emptied the dishwasher. Then I called Michelle to tell her I was taking the day off. 
    “ Sounds good to me.  I’m calling Rose and telling her I’m taking a personal day.  What do you want to do?”
    “You’re the best.” I meant it.
    “I know,” she said smugly.  “Tell you what, I’m gonna jump in the shower and I’ll be ready in about an hour, call me when Cole leaves and we’ll have coffee.  Maybe we’ll go shopping, grab some lunch.”  She paused, “Sound good?”
    “Yeah it does. I’ll call you back as soon as I get out of the shower.”
    “Goo d,