“NO NO NO, GET AWAY!” I screamed and screamed feeling my face wet from sweat and tears. Then the arms from the mirror started to shake me, becoming more forceful.
“KEIRA!” My name was being shouted by the voice I had desperately wanted to hear.
“KEIRA, WAKE UP!” Draven's arms were those from the mirror and the sight of the bathroom had now been replaced by the view the glass doors held at the end of Draven's bed. I was sat up and his arms circled around my shoulders rocking me slightly to make sure I was definitely awake.
“Keira, it was just a bad dream...Ssshh, try to breathe.” He said this last part as I was sobbing like a frightened child into his chest. He stroked his hand down my hair, letting me soak his skin with my salty tears that I couldn't control.
“It's all right now, you're safe...I've got you,” he said in a soft and soothing voice. He positioned my body so that he was cradling me in his arms and he let me weep until I regained my voice.
“I woke up and you weren't here,” I said but I didn't sound right, my speech was strained and scratchy as my throat burned from screaming.
“It was all just a dream Keira, I came back from leaving you after only ten minutes but you were sound asleep. You didn't even stir when I slid in next to you.”
“So you didn't leave...you didn't!” I said through broken sobs
“Ssshh...You’re ok now...You're safe little one.” The use of my pet name worked its magic and I relaxed more into his hold.
“That must have been a bad one. I tried to get through but I was being blocked by something very powerful. Do you think you’re ok to tell me about it?” He said looking down at me, trying to see my face that still found comfort in his chest.
I finally calmed enough to look at him and he wiped my wet cheeks with his thumbs.
“I have to get up...I have to draw it before he comes back!” I said looking round for something to change into.
“So once you have drawn what you see, you lock it out?”
“Yeah, but don't ask me how it works because I have never understood it.” I grabbed all my hair around into a twist and knotted it at the back, knowing it wouldn't stay like that for long.
“Umm...” I was about to ask for something to wear when he pointed to the kimono at the end of the bed but just the sight of it brought back the nightmare. He noticed my hesitation and must have realised.
“Perhaps something more comforting?” He said before pointing to my pyjama's from home, those being my sweatpants and holey vest.
“How did you know?” I asked in amazement, but he just reached for them and slipped the vest over my head and passed me the pants. I swung my legs out and pulled them on thinking how I must look in them. Then the lights illuminated getting brighter and my shame doubled as I thought I had at least the dark to hide in.
“Why did you do that?” I asked pulling down my vest like it would in some way help.
“Well, can you draw in the dark?” He said and it was the first time I had seen him pulling on a pair of jeans. It was strange seeing him do something so normal and regular. But I was glad when he didn't add anything else to it, as I loved to look at his naked torso even if now wasn't the time for my erotic fantasies to enter my head.
“Ok, good point...do you have anything I could use to umm you know...?” I waved my hand in the air like I was painting. He nodded towards the desk and there were supplies of different kinds spread out for me to take my pick. Draven walked over to the chair and pulled it out for me to sit. I couldn't help but smile at his gentleman like manners and I took my seat, which he then pushed closer for me. I couldn't help but pick up the long feather quill and hold it up to him.
“Anything after the 1800's?” I teased and he rolled his eyes at me but he couldn’t keep his smile hidden for long.
“What?...so I am a bit old fashioned but you try and use something since the 6th century and then switch to a basic pen!” He said as