“So, he’s got motive,” Theo says.
“He’s got motive. But I can’t prove he set the fires. Not yet.” Marco rubs his face. “I need more time.”
“Take the time you need,” I tell him. “Just catch him before he tries again.”
We all know there will be a “next time.” These things don’t just stop.
Rachel appears in the doorway. “I’m going to bed. Goodnight.”
“Night,” we chorus.
She heads upstairs, and the three of us sit in silence for a moment.
“She’s not sleeping well,” Theo observes.
“Nightmares,” I confirm. “I hear her most nights. She tries to be quiet but fails at it.”
“Someone should talk to her about it,” Marco says.
“Someone should.” I stand up. “But not tonight. She’s exhausted.”
I head upstairs to my room, but I don’t fall asleep. I keep listening for sounds from Rachel’s room across the hall.
Around two a.m., I hear it. Small gasp and then silence. Then another gasp, louder this time.
Nightmare.
I’m out of bed and across the hall before I consciously decide to move.
Her door’s slightly open. I knock softly. “Rachel?”
I hear a whimper. Then her voice was thick with fear. “Cole?”
“Yeah. Can I come in?”
“Please.”
I push the door open. She’s sitting up in bed, covers tangled around her legs, face pale in the moonlight streaming through the window.
“Nightmare?” I ask.
She nods, not trusting her voice.
I sit on the edge of her bed. “Want to talk about it?”
“Fire.” Her hands shake. “I’m trapped. Can’t breathe. Smoke everywhere. And Tommy—I can’t find Tommy. I’m calling for him, but he’s not answering, and the smoke’s so thick, and I know he’s in there somewhere, but I can’t—”
Her breath hitches. Panic attack starting.
“Hey. Look at me.” I take her hands. “Tommy’s fine. He’s across the hall. Safe. Sleeping.”
“I know. I know he’s fine. But in the dream—”
“Dreams lie. Reality is Tommy’s safe. You’re safe. No fires. No smoke.” I squeeze her hands. “Just you and me in this room. That’s all.”
She focuses on my face. On my voice. Her breathing slows slightly.
“I have them every night,” she whispers. “Every single night. I’m so tired, Cole. I’m so tired of being scared.”
