Lyla
I threw my arms up, bracing for the impact, my heart hammering against my ribs. I could feel the creatures' hot breath on my skin…
And then I woke up.
My scream tore through the air, as I bolted upright in bed gasping for breath. My clothes were soaked and plastered to my trembling body like a second layer, my heart still racing as if I hadn't yet realized the dream was over.
I looked around wildly, looking for the stick, my chest heaving… it took me a moment to realize I was no longer in the forest. The familiar surroundings of the guest room in Xander's house slowly came into focus – the soft glow of the bedside lamp, and the rumpled sheets tangled around my legs.
But something was wrong. I wasn't alone.
Sitting on a recliner in the corner of the room, watching me intently was Xander.
"Xander?" my voice was hoarse and my throat was still raw from screaming. "What... what are you doing here?"
