Only Dreams...

I felt that as soon as my head touched my pillow, I was fast asleep.

This was normally the time the nightmares began. Tonight was no exception.

"Aine! Aine!! Run my daughter! Hide in the attic, they won't find you there. Keep your eyes shut and do not peep a word! If you do they will kill you or worse!"

Smoke filled my lungs. Flames bursting through the walls and a strange mans voice echoed in my ears. I could feel my legs moving. My little body could hardly keep up with the urgency I felt in my heart. I ran up the stairs and into the attic, crawled into a far corner, and stuck my head between my knees. I squeezed my eyes shut as hard as I could and waited for the flames to cease and the man who called my name to return.

Minutes felt like centuries as I waited. Then I felt it. Strong arms wrapping around me. His body felt warm and safe, but something wasn't right. I heard a soothing voice hushing me and telling me I would be okay. I wanted to believe him I wanted to trust that I was going to be okay. I pushed my head into his shoulder and waited for the pain to cease.

I could feel my lungs being filled with smoke once again, my eyes burning from the heat, and my red hair and body covered in soot. My body felt heavy and I could hardly stay awake.

Once outside the large body placed me on the ground. I opened my eyes to see my father soothing me, telling me I was safe. I felt safe.

Then his face began to twist. His eyes no longer blue but brown. His hair a vibrant red as my own. His face changed and I became scared. I began screaming and kicking, tears covering my face washing away the soot that had covered me.

Father tried to hold me down. Told me to wake up, I was dreaming. I'm okay now. But this man, whoever he was, was not my father. He was an imposter. He tricked me. He lied and shifted my judgment. My father was a great clansman, a leader, a man of pride and dignity. This man was weak and in shambles. I wanted my father back.

Finally, my little arms broke free and I was able to hit this imposter. As I went to stand my energy was exhausted and I went into oblivion.

Suddenly, my body was jerked up and I could hear a familiar voice, "Aine wake up! You're dreaming! You're just dreaming!"

I opened my eyes and felt my face. Tears. Actual tears had been pouring from my eyes. This nightmare was so real I actually cried. Laying back down I looked up and saw Killian leaning over me. His eyes groggy and shaken.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!" I cried. The tears streaming down once more.

"You can cry Aine. What was your dream?" He asked. More curious than anything I supposed.

I sighed, "It was a nightmare. I was in a fire and this man called me his daughter. He told me to run and hide so I did. I was alone for so long before my real father saved me. But once I got outside he looked so different. His face changed, and his eyes and hair. It was awful. He kept telling me I was okay. But he wasn't my father. He wasn't!"

I cried again. And the tears wouldn't stop. Killian held me in his arms. I could hear him humming and telling me I was safe. Until I finally fell asleep once more in his arms.

The next morning I awoke alone. But I was still haunted by that face. Who was that man and why was I dreaming about him?