Sebastian stepped closer to the figure who was kneeling on the ground. He was murmuring above his lips, saying things that didn't make sense. "It's not real…. It's not real…. It's not real…."
Sebastian could see his hand clenching his ears like he was trying to block out the sounds. But there were no sounds, except for the whispers of the wind and the fire emitting crackling smoke.
His entire back rocked back and forth, akin to a rocking chair. He kept murmuring beneath his breath with his ears closed, his breath producing steam in the cold air. "It's not real… None of it is real…."
Sebastian furrowed his brows in confusion. What the hell is this? This is the first time he had Atlas behaving like this.
He sank to his knees, feeling the rough ground beneath his pants. He could see a trail of moist tears sliding down his cheeks before it was followed by another. Atlas was shutting his eyes tightly, thick black eyelashes trembling like a moth's wings.
Sebastian was struck by the realization that Atlas was stuck in a nightmare. He remembers the first time Atlas had a nightmare in his room after burying the body with Quinn and a second nightmare in the living room.
Sebastian raised his hand and laid it on his cheeks. His eyebrows arched as the skin beneath his hand was scorching warm and slicked with sweat.
His shut-tight eyes glistened with tears before they slid down his hand, and it fell to the ground before it disappeared from view.
Sebastian squinted his eyes while he wondered loudly, "Little fool, what are you dreaming about?"
Sebastian tried to shake him awake with his hand, and he was completely caught off guard by the hard shove. Atlas's hand knocked his hand harshly away from his cheek while Atlas released a loud hiss that sounded like a cornered, terrified animal being threatened on the brink of death. Although the words had a tinge of bitterness and hostility.
"Don't… touch… Me…. Father."
Sebastian was astonished by the words that came out of his lips. Did he just say, Father? What does he mean, Don't touch him?
Sebastian used his hand to push himself as he faced Atlas with narrowed, deep eyes. He whispered suspiciously, "Did you call me father?"
He raised his left hand to snap his fingers a couple of times in front of his face. He tilted his head. "Hey? Can you hear me? Hello?"
Alas continued to rock back and forth on his knees while murmuring half-broken, incomplete words that were hard to understand. His hand clenched so hard around his ears that they had become red on the tip. He opened his mouth and released another shrill scream that sent a chill down his spine.
Sebastian had a feeling if he touched Atlas, it would backfire badly. He cursed loudly under his breath. "Fuck."
His strung nerves were whacked on haywire before his eyes knitted in horror as he watched Atlas slide his hand from his ear to his throat in a matter of seconds. He started squeezing his throat so tightly that he could see traces of red marks begin to appear on his lower neck. Atlas started to choke as if he couldn't breathe underwater, and his eyes were glossy like black marble, and more tears flowed out of the corner of his closed eyes.
Sebastian reached out his hand and wrapped it around his wrist as he tried to make him release his clutched neck. He gritted his teeth as he shouted with a tinge of frustration, "Atlas. Wake up. It's just a nightmare."
He's afraid if he tugs any harder, he might snap his wrist. Without any choice, he gripped his wrist hard enough for Atlas to howl in pain.
Then Atlas let go of his neck and leaped at him like an enraged hyena. His eyes gleamed fiercely, unblinking, as a tiny droplet of saliva dribbled from a corner of his mouth to his chin.
The hair prickled up on the back of Sebastian's neck as he bit into his neck with a ferocious bite that brought blood forth underneath his skin. He gritted through his teeth, a hint of annoyance bled through his tone. "Fuck. Were you born as a dog?"
A sharp pain sprouted from his shoulder blade to his ears like thorns poking underneath his flesh. He used his free hand to grasp the back of his black curls, forcing Atlas to release his sharp teeth on his neck.
Atlas's face scrunched in pain from the painful grip, and saliva slobbered down the corner of his throat. His eyes were blurry and unclear as he tried to use his hands and legs to scratch anything in sight.
He fought with a strength that youth shouldn't possess, kicking anything within distance while his nails scratched his arms, leaving stinging gnashes on his forearm and bare chest.
Sebastian used his hands to slide behind Atlas's back in a swift movement as he flipped their body over. He used both of his hands to grip both of his wrists as he held them against the ground while keeping him immobile, while Atlas's legs kicked and thrashed underneath him.
Sebastian grunted in pain while his eyes flashed with unbridled anger and whispered hoarsely, "Atlas. Wake up. You're having a nightmare."
Atlas slowed down, and his movements twitched as if he was convulsing. Sebastian knew what he had to do, but he wasn't sure if it would work because Atlas was part supernatural. He slowly raised his hand to place his hand on his forehead and uttered through gritted teeth, "Calm down. No one is going to hurt you."
Atlas's twitching form slowed down before it ceased. His eyes opened wide and glassy as if he couldn't see the person before him. His chest rose up and down a couple of times before he was able to catch his breath. His eyes closed in deep exhaustion, and the dark circles around his eyes are more apparent and visible.
He hoarsely said under his breath with a faint whisper, "Sebastian…"
Recognition began to dawn on his face before he said, "I'm so tired…."
Sebastian moved his black curls off his forehead to the side as he said dryly, "Go to sleep. I'll be right here."
Sebastian watched the taut lines across his forehead relax as he listened to his heartbeats that remained calm. He waited for a while until he was certain that Atlas had fallen asleep.
He fell to the side next to Atlas with a slump, bonelessly lying on the hard surface. He raised his fingers to his nose with a frustrated sigh, "What a fucking day."
He turned his neck as he noticed that Atlas's body shivered hard like a leaf and realized that he was freezing. It was chilly out here. Sebastian looked at the firewood that was still alive and warm.
He rose to his feet and pulled Atlas into his arms with a grunt. He carried him that was a safe distance from the firewood, allowing Atlas to feel the heat through his body.
He settled Atlas on the ground and lay down behind him. He ran his fingers through his black curls as he whispered lightly, "I didn't think it would work. Does that mean he's part human?"
Sebastian wondered aloud. Vampires have an ability to put humans in a trance, making them obey every word that comes out of their mouth. People would call it hypnotization, compulsion, or mind control. The only thing they can't control is supernatural beings, mostly vampires and werewolves.
Sebastian started the back of Atlas's black curls and wondered if Atlas is part wolf and human. That could probably explain why he was able to compel him to calm down.
Sebastian recalls the scratches on his arms and chest, especially the bitten wound on his neck. He raised his hand to his neck and hissed out loud. The sting is a plain reminder of the incident that just occurred now.
He observes the deep gashes on his arms as he wonders why the wounds aren't healing. That shouldn't be possible. He should be healed by now.
He raises his head and peers at the night sky that doesn't have any bright, yellow stars. The boundlessness of the night is cloaked with heavy darkness and absence of the light. It's a good thing they had firewood next to them to keep them warm. It's not necessary for the creatures of the night; someone like him doesn't need the comfort of the flames, since their bodies no longer can get cold.
He hissed before releasing a soft curse from his lips before looking down at the youth who had just scooted backward, hitting the deep gashes on his chest from the fingernails.
The stinging pain in his chest made him want to shove Atlas away from him, but he clenched his fist and ignored that urge. He exhaled slowly as he raised his hand and settled it on the shoulders, preventing him from making any unconscious movements.
He closed his weary eyes and felt the warmth of the youth before him. His mind fell asleep under the cold, starless night.