~ JACK ~
I was jerked awake by the sounds of crying and wailing, the sound cutting through the silence of our dark motel room. I looked around, trying to get my bearings, and then realized the sounds were coming from Jessica. She seemed to be having some form of nightmare or a bad dream.
“No, please, don’t hurt me,” she cried out, her voice thick with fear and desperation.
Shit!
I edged closer to her and reached out with my voice in an attempt to calm her restless sleep. "It’s okay, Jessica. You’re fine. You’re safe,” I whispered, but her thrashing only increased, her cries echoing through the room. I couldn't help but wince at how deeply her sorrow tore at my soul.
Determined to break through to her, I closed the distance between us and placed my hands on her shoulders. "Jessica," I
