Not again

'What the fuck is going on here!?' Devin's eyes darted around the room, feeling like the walls all around him were closing in. His heart pounded in his chest, as every beat echoed in his ears.

He glanced at Darcey, sitting across from him at the low table. Munching on some marshmallows in delight, she paused.

"Devin?" She looked up, her eyes curiously wide. "You okay?" She asked, her voice somewhat muffled.

Devin forced a smile, swallowing the fear that threatened to spill over. "Yeah, Darce. Just… a little tired." He took a deep breath, willing his racing heart to slow down. 'I can't let her see me like this!' He sighed silently.

"Oh, fatigue?" Darcey's lips curled deviously. "I know a good remedy for that." She ruffled into the packet of marshmallows.

Devin shuddered, "Darce…" Abruptly he raised his hand to maintain distance between him and her. "Listen to me, Listen to me…"

Darcey jumped up, grabbing a handful of marshmallows. "Let's raise your sugar levels!"

"No… I hate... sweets!" Devin protested weakly as she shoved the marshmallows into his mouth. "Shut up old man! Let's raise our blood sugar together!"

"That's not a good thing!" Devin mumbled through the marshmallows, the sweet scent filling his nose. Darcey's laughter rang out, infectious and bright. Despite himself, Devin smiled, her joy making the sugary treats more bearable.

Bedtime arrived, and Devin cleared the plates away from the low table.

Gently, he tucked Darcey in bed, smoothing out the blankets edges as she snuggled into her pillow.

"Goodnight, Darce," he whispered, leaning down to kiss her forehead.

"Dev, wait."

Just as he was about to straighten up, Darcey grabbed his hand.

Devin froze, his heart skipped a beat as he asked. "What's up Darce?"

Darcey looked up at him, her bright blue eyes searching his face. "That's my line, you've been acting more 'you' than usual."

Devin's head tilted, taken aback. He chuckled awkwardly. "More me than usual? Isn't that a good thing?"

Darcey's lips curled as she giggled at his dismay. "Dev, I love you and all but more you is not a good thing." Searching his face, she continued. "So what's up, Dev?"

Devin sighed, sitting down on the edge of her bed.

"Nothing's up." He smiled, masking his unease. "Just more tired than usual I guess." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Hmm…" Darcey frowned, looking deep into his dark brown eyes.

"Okay." She squeezed his hand, her expression softening. "You know I will always be here if you want to talk right?"

"I know." Devin smiled, feeling a warmth spread through his chest.

Darcey nods, finally letting go of his hand. "Goodnight, Dev." She plopped in her ear plugs.

"Goodnight, Darce," Devin replied, standing up and turning off the light.

Click.

Dum. Dum. Dum. Dum.

Devin's heartbeat echoed in his ear like a drum.

Dum. Dum.

Walking to his bed, he couldn't shake off this bad feeling creeping up his spine.

Dum. Dum.

Sitting at the edge of his bed, he fished his phone out of his pocket.

Dum. Dum.

Tapping the power button, the phone beamed on his face.

Dum.

He froze.

Dum.

The phone shook in his shivering hand.

Dum.

The time, 8:07pm, Tuesday.

Dum.

The date, June 2nd, 2020…

Dum…

"Today's, the 2nd…" Devin stared at his phone in horror. "Then to-tomorrow, is the day?" He breathed frantically, shaking his head.

He didn't want to believe it, it must have all been some fucked up nightmare…

The despair of watching Darcey die. Her lifeless eyes staring back at him with every call…

"Devin stop!" The bloody actions he committed to release is pent up emotions…

"Hahahahaha! Hha ha ha!" His broken mind, at the realisation that he was all alone…

Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! Bam! The ensuing fire from the police officers. Ripping his body apart and filling the room with dust and gunpowder…

Devin rubbed his arm, it all felt so vivid, so real. He turned to Darcey's sleeping figure.

He didn't want to believe it, that such pain and misery could be awaiting them in only a few hours. But his paranoia couldn't let him put it down. Devin sighed, and focused his scattered thoughts on the only thing that mattered.

"Nightmare or not, Darcey comes first." He clenched his phone, letting the veins pump through his wrist.

Creak... He dragged the chair from his nightstand and faced it to Darcey. Closing his eyes, he sat down, taking a breath and willing his racing heart to slow. He opened his phone, putting the emergency services on speed dial, before turning back to Darcey.

He set the phone beside him, before leaning forward and clasping his hands.

"Now we wait." He thought, training his eyes on Darcey. 'Not again, not on my watch.'

'I will not…' His voice trailed off, his head leaning forward.

'lose you…' His heavy eyelids slowly closed, his body falling to the side.

'again…'

Thud.

"Dev…"

"Dev…"

End of Chapter 3