xander's nightmareXander groaned as he hit the wooden floor. He clutched his left side; at least one of his ribs was broken. Blood bubbled at his lips.
The Goatman snarled, rearing up on its back legs. Then, it leisurely began tromping toward the doctor. Xander desperately tried to scramble to his feet, but his lame leg stopped him. He wailed in agony, searching for his gun on the tavern’s floor. His revolver had flown from his hand when the Goatman rammed into him.
Xander wiped the blood from his face and crawled along the floor. The Goatman had stopped walking toward him, instead choosing to watch Xander with those evil yellow eyes. It tilted its head, its lips curling back from its teeth in a mockery of a smile. The doctor groaned as he dragged himself forward. Blood stained the floor. The revolver was just beyond his reach.
The Goatman stomped forward and kicked the revolver away. It reached down and grabbed Xander by his throat, lifting him up. The doctor screamed, clawing at whatever he could reach. He kicked frantically, trying to wrench himself free as the monster’s bloody claws closed tighter around his neck, forcing more blood from his throat, readying to slam him down again –
The doctor shot awake. His heart thundered against his ribs – he felt along his chest, relieved to find no fractures. Xander was covered in a thin sheen of cold sweat, though, and as he shifted in the bed, he grimaced at the sensation of wet, clammy bedsheets.
He sat up and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Disgusting, he thought. Xander stood and quickly doffed his clothing, changing into the one clean shirt and pair of underwear he had left. Millie had said she’d do the washing tomorrow, at least. Maybe if Grezzo didn’t send Xander out into danger again, he’d be able to help.
Xander went to the bathroom and quickly freshened himself up. He tried not to look at his own reflection too much; he looked horrible, and he knew it. His five o’clock shadow was threatening to grow into a full beard if he didn’t get a hold of a razor soon, and his eye bags were dark gray and heavy on his thin face. He could practically hear his mother’s voice, nagging him over his appearance. Al! How could you let yourself go like that? You’re a high-class man, behave like it!
Once he was in a slightly fresher state, he tiptoed over to Millie’s room. The door was slightly ajar, and the young woman was fast asleep in bed, the moonlight casting a soft glow on her form. She looked almost cherubic, with her round face and gentle features. Xander felt ease wash over him just looking at her.
He leaned against the doorway, which unfortunately creaked loudly. Millie’s eyes fluttered. “Hmm? Xander?”
Shit. “I’m sorry,” he murmured.
“Is something wrong?” Before he could answer, Millie was sitting up and gesturing for him. “C’mere.”
He obeyed, sitting on the edge of the bed. Millie placed a small hand on his face and made him look at her. Normally, he would’ve hated the touch, the reminder of the stubble that covered his cheeks. But Millie said he looked so handsome like that – and her fingertips were so gentle, her gaze so soft, that he didn’t mind.
“What’s up?” she asked.
“Had a bad dream,” he mumbled. Millie guided his head to her shoulder.
“Do you want to talk about it?”
“It’s… it’s nothing, really. It’s over. Silly to be upset over.”
“Hush.” She kissed his forehead. “It upset you. It’s worth talking about.”
He sighed. Millie intertwined her fingers with his and squeezed, and calm washed over him. “It was the Goatman,” he said after a moment. “I… I had a dream that it… it won.” Xander took a shaky breath. “It felt so real.”
“It’s okay.” Millie’s free hand played with Xander’s sweaty hair. “You’re safe now.” She nuzzled closer to him, her floral perfume filling his senses. “Why don’t you lay down here with me for awhile?”
“Grezzo wouldn’t–”
“I don’t care what he thinks.”
Millie laid back down in the bed and gestured for Xander to follow. Her bed was much smaller, so it was a bit of a tight squeeze, but he managed to curl up halfway on Millie and halfway on the mattress. His love didn’t seem to mind, perfectly content to pull him even closer.
Xander buried his face in her neck and breathed her in. His heartbeat finally slowed in time with hers. You’re safe now, she’d said, and despite the horrors outside, he believed her.
“I love you,” he whispered, but she was already asleep.