Page 39 of Tinsel Time Treasure

“Ok. I’ll call as soon as I get back into town. But I want to know everything when I see you.”

“Deal.”

“Justin?”

“Yeah?”

“Take care of yourself, ok? I don’t like knowing you’re in danger.”

“I will…” I glanced over at Max. “And… I’ve made a new friend who’s helping me.”

“Good. I’ll see you in a few days.”

“Ok, see you then.”

“Bye.”

“Bye.”

I hit the ‘end call’ button, closed my eyes, and leaned my head back against the soft cushions.

Something warm and soft was draped over me. I opened my eyes again to smile at Max, who’d decided that I needed a blanket. “Thank you.”

He reached out and ran the backs of his fingers down my cheek. “Give me a few minutes to change the sheets on the guest bed? They’re clean, but haven’t been changed in a while so I figure fresh is better.”

“You don’t have to,” I mumbled, leaning into the touch.

“I want to.”

“Ok…”

“The doors are locked, and all the shades are drawn,” he said softly. “I’ll be just down the hall if you need me.”

I nodded, chasing the sensation as he pulled his hand away from my face.

There was a moment of hesitation, then he nodded and stepped back. He studied me for another few seconds, then disappeared down the hall.

I curled up beneath the blanket, trying to force intrusive thoughts from my mind. However, I was sitting on a near-stranger’s couch because my own apartment wasn’t safe.

Still, Max made me feel protected, like he wouldn’t let anything bad happen to me. I closed my eyes and tried to focus on that.

∞∞∞

My scream echoed in my ears as I jolted awake.

I sat up, panting as I tried to catch my breath. I was in a bed, but couldn’t remember how I got there.

I shouted again as the door opened and a large man filled the frame, then the light clicked on, and as my eyes adjusted I saw Max standing there, his long brown hair loose around his shoulders.

“What’s wrong? Are you safe?” he asked.

“Just…” I paused to breathe. “Just a nightmare.”

Max walked over, sat on the edge of the bed, reached out, and brushed some hair from my forehead. “Sorry for scaring you again.”

I shook my head. “No… I… I understand.”

My heartbeat started to slow, and the tightness in my throat eased. Unfortunately, as panic subsided, exhaustion edged in again.