[105] The Stars Are Different Here

Xavier jolted awake from another nightmare about ice wolves with crystal fur. His head throbbed with pain so intense it felt like someone was driving a railroad spike through his skull. 

"Fucking hell," he whispered, pressing his palms against his temples. The pain ebbed slightly, then returned with greater force.

He'd been in this world for three days now, and the headaches only grew worse. They came in waves, sometimes bearable, other times—like now—nearly crippling. Sleep had become almost impossible.

Xavier swung his legs over the side of the bed and sat up, trying not to disturb Rachel. He glanced at her sleeping form on the room's other bed. She lay on her side, one arm tucked under her pillow. Her black hair spilled across the pillow, and her face, usually so guarded, looked almost peaceful.

When she wasn't being an asshole or spouting cryptic bullshit, she could be sort of cute.