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What did you expect, dude? Go back to sleep.

It had just felt so real. The weight of the water crushing his lungs, and Evie’s hand around his throat.

Why did he even dream of her like that?

Ethan turned from the mirror and made his way back to bed. His sheets were still damp, but he was too exhausted to change them right now. As he lay back down, Teddy curled up by his legs, purring softly. Ethan rubbed the temples of his head, trying to release the tension that was pounding in his skull.

Thoughts of Evie floated into his mind—the real Evie. The great time they’d had at Pike Place Market, and the way they’d been able to connect about their dads.

Ehan thought about the way her soft skin had felt against his hand. That was real. That was the Evie he knew. Not whatever nightmarish thing he’d dreamed of in the mirror.

Stupid anxiety manifesting in wild ways, I guess.

“Just a dream, Ethan,” he whispered. “A weird fucking dream, though.”

Despite knowing that it had been just a nightmare, he couldn't shake the images. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw them. The golden fire of Evie’s eyes blazing through the darkness, void of their usual kindness and beauty.

Ethan pressed his hands against his eyes, as if he could scrub them from his mind. The clock on his nightstand glared back at him. 3:42 AM. He had to be up for work in a few hours and needed to get back to sleep, but the images just wouldn't seem to fade.

He rolled over on his side, pulling the covers tight around him. Teddy shifted closer, her warmth reassuring. As he drifted back to sleep, those golden eyes that had haunted his dreams seemed to linger just outside the darkness of his mind.

Waiting.

Watching.

Ethan stared at his computer screen, watching as the cursor blinked in and out. Whatever mindless task he was supposed to be doing proved to be ten times harder than it should have been. Something he’d done hundreds of times before, but the lack of sleep had made it damn near impossible today.

He rubbed his face and yawned, leaning back in his chair, briefly shutting his eyes. The office’s fluorescent lights beat down, accentuating his dark circles.

Focus, Ethan…

“Uh, you okay, honey?” Joyce asked, her voice cutting through the silence.

Ethan’s body jolted forward, catching himself before tipping backward in his chair. His eyes shot open as he steadied himself and surveyed his surroundings.

Joyce stood next to him, holding a stack of files, her brow furrowed with concern, and rightfully so. Ethan was clearly on edge, and his face burned red as he turned to look up at her.

“Y-Yeah,” Ethan laughed, forcing an awkward smile. “Just tired. Didn’t sleep great…sorry about that.”

Joyce didn’t look convinced, and he knew this would kick off a slew of questions about whether he was eating right or taking any vitamins.

She set the files down on his desk and pulled up a chair next to him. “You’ve been lookin’ tired all week, honey. Ya’ sure you’re alright?”

Absolutely not.

Ethan smiled reassuringly. “I’m fine, Joyce. Really. I just had a rough night. My cat was being annoying and kept me up, that's all.”

Sorry, Teddy.

Joyce’s face relaxed, and she sighed, leaning back in her chair. “Well, you’ve been starin’ at that contract for like the last 30 minutes, so I was jus’ makin’ sure.” She leaned back in, her voice dropping low. “Ethan, honey, if you’re on drugs, you can tell me.”

Oh my god.

Ethan’s eyes bulged. “God, Joyce. No! I am not–,” he said, a little too loud. He quickly looked around and lowered his voice to a whisper. “I’m not on drugs. I’m tired…that’s all.” He took a breath and smiled. “But you’re right. I'm distracted. Sorry about that. I’ll be sure to get it done today.”

Joyce gave him a look that said she didn't quite believe him, but she squeezed his shoulder and let it go. “Just don't push yourself too hard.” She stood up, grabbing the files as papers spilled from the sides. “Especially after everything with Jake. It’s okay to take a break, ya know?”

Ethan nodded, but he wasn't sure a break was what he actually needed.