Elijah's body lay rigid atop the disheveled sheets, his muscles locked in a vise-like grip.
His chest heaved with rapid, shallow breaths, inhaling a desperate gasp.
Beads of sweat traced erratic paths down his forehead, pooling in the hollow of his collarbone. His eyes, though closed, flickered wildly beneath pale lids..
Beside him, Varden observed with a mixture of irritation and concern.
The green-haired lad's brows knitted together as he watched Elijah's distress escalate.
He had been roused from his own slumber by the incessant rustling and muted groans emanating from his friend's bed. For several minutes, he had attempted to wake Elijah from his state, gently nudging his shoulder and calling his name in hushed tones.
But Elijah remained focused in the clutches of his nightmare, unresponsive to Varden's efforts.
Thus...
"Hey, bum! Wake up!" Varden's voice echoed as he screamed right beside his ears.