When I touch her, she bolts upright and starts fighting against me as though I’m her attacker. I grip her tightly, trying to get her to stop thrashing around.
“Esme,” I say calmly. “Esme, calm down. You’re having a nightmare. It’s just a nightmare.”
“No, please… let me go.”
Her eyes fly open and find mine, but I can see by the glassiness in her gaze that she’s still not fully awake or fully aware.
“I’m scared,” she gasps, looking right at me.
“I know,” I tell her. “But you don’t have to be. I’m here.”
She squints. “I know you,” she mumbles. “I… Do I know you?”
She’s not herself at the moment, so I don’t try and explain anything to her. I just pull her to me.
She comes willingly. Her arms go around my neck and she presses into me like a child seeking comfort.
“Esme, vse budet horos
