“‘Ean?” He mumbled.
He sat up properly, rubbing his eyes and taking a look at him.
I followed his gaze from my horizontal position.
He was standing beside Stryker’s bed, having gotten up from the makeshift bed on the floor; his hair was mussed, cheeks flushed and eyes red.
“What’s wrong?” Stryker asked softly.
“I-I can’t…I need some air…Stryker-“
“Okay.”
I watched Stryker climb out from under the covers “breathe, alright? Come on.”
Dean had only taken two steps before he stopped suddenly, prompting Stryker to stop in front of him.
“Dean? You okay?”
Whatever response Dean had intended to give, if any at all, was lost as he suddenly collapsed into Stryker’s chest, knees buckling and chest heaving.
I jumped, the scene startling my half asleep mind.
Stryker caught him, holding him steady “Dean…”
“Please, Stryker, I- I need air, I-“
“Calm down. You can’t even stand right now.”
He slowly guided him towards his bed and sat him down before opening the windows.
“Better?” Stryker asked as cold air rushed over us, reaching for his sweatshirt.
I pulled my covers tighter around myself- real considerable, Stryker.Thanks.
“A little.”
“Did a folklore monster get him?” I croaked hoarsely.
Dean seemed too out of it to even hear me-thankfully-; Stryker whizzed round to face me, puzzled more than surprised to see me awake “what?”
“Like the one that got Matt.” I explained tiredly.
Stryker huffed, not even reacting when Dean reached out and clutched a fistful of his sweatshirt “no, Theo.” He hummed “it’s got nothing to do with that. I’ve got him. Go back to sleep.”
“Can’t.” I yawned “you’re loud. It’s cold.”
Stryker rolled his eyes fondly and turned back to Dean “okay?” He asked him quietly. He gave a little shrug, still seeming shaky and panicked.
“Can you stand now? I’ll make you a chamomile.”
“You don’t have to.” The older boy protested, but he was already standing on unsteady limbs.
I received Stryker’s wink on the way out and took it as an indication that I would finally be able to sleep.
CHAPTER 12
Theo
