When I open them again
I'm lying in bed
Safe
Secure
More afraid than I've ever been in my life
Breathing unevenly
In hysterics
But he is standing over me
Eyes wide with concern
Saying my name over and over
Stroking my cheek with his index finger
I grab his hand
And pull him down to me
Closer
Closer
Until our lips touch in a sweet kiss
Hope
Relief
Flood through my heart and mind
When we break apart I whisper
'I love you'
And he whispers it back
A smile playing at his features
It was a dream
Only a dream
I smile too
And close my eyes
The forest where he lay broken
Flashed beneath my closed lids
His ragged whisper once again echoed through my ears
And pierced my heart
My eyes flashed open
He was gone.