In my Dreams

Brown eyes slowly opened as the figure slowly rose from the thin mat on the ground. The warm blanket was pushed aside as another figure continued to sleep. The figure let out a short yawn as their arms reached towards the wood ceilings. Sounds of pops echoed in the dark damp room as the figure moved from the slightly warm mat to move to a corner in the stone clad room. The figure placed their back to the stone corner, the thin material of their over worn rags pressed against their back as a shiver went down their spin. Knees were brought up and the figure's chin dropped to rest atop the knees. A strand of unkempt blonde hair brushed against the figure's dirtied face.

"Why do I continue to watch over you?" The figure's male voice whispered in the pitch black room. His adjusted eyes stayed lock on the sleeping girl's form. He could hear the soft breathings of her voice, her blanket rose and fell with each breath she took.

"You really are foolish; already a month and your friends haven't come." The figure continued to watch the rise and fall of the blanket as his face continued to look calm and uncaring.

"But maybe I am the fool for I don't believe I can handle the day you leave." His eyes started to sadden at the thought, but with a slight shake of his head he pushed all thoughts on the matter out of his head. His eyes focused on the girl's figure; his body twitched at the sudden sound of the girl's voice.

"Yuan," the girl rasped out; Yuan's body stiffened at the tone of her voice. It was different than normal. Slowly Yuan moved towards the girl, yet his mind seemed to be overcome with worries he never knew he cared for.

"What is it Chiu?" Yuan said calmly as he approached the girl.

"Can I have some water?" Chiu rasped out in a scratchy tone. Yuan's eyebrow rose at the sudden request; both knew only the guards could get anything for them. The request was simply impossible for him.

"I can't get it. Breakfast should be soon, wait until then." Chiu nodded through closed eyes as she drifted back into a state of unconsciousness. Something was odd; Yuan noticed the gasp in Chiu's unconscious breathing as her body shivered uncontrollably. With a light touch, Yuan placed a hand atop of Chiu's damp forehead. Yuan pulled back his hand quickly just as Chiu let out a whimper.

"It's cold." Yuan looked down at his hand in wonder; her forehead was burning, a fever perhaps. Yuan's head then snapped towards the bar doors. The sound of footsteps entered his ears; the guards were coming to bring them breakfast. His body stiffened as his brain went into overdrive.

"Here's your food, maggot," a guard's voice rang. The lights started to awaken; ever since her arrival they made a bit of light a priority. The guard then slipped the food in before slamming the door shut. Yuan's eye clasped shut at the loud sound.

"Hey, what's wrong with her? You do anything to her?" the guard accused without batting an eye. Yuan then made his decision.

"No, she is just sleeping in," Yuan lied. The guard looked at Yuan distrustfully, a scowl easily making its way up the guard's face.

"I don't care as long as she isn't dead. If I find her dead then I'll beat you so much you'll wish for death," the guard threatened. Yuan rolled his eyes at the comment.

"And if I already wish it?"

"Don't sass me boy, and you better not touch her food." With that the guard left, his big black boots echoing in the dimly lit hallway. Yuan's eyes shifted towards Chiu. Slowly with a cup of water in hand, he made his way towards Chiu's shivering form.

"Come on, here's your water," Yuan said gruffly as he lifted Chiu's head up. Lukewarm water trickled down Chiu's dry throat. With a slight cough the flow of water stopped, leaving half of the glass remaining.

"Thank you," Chiu said with a small smile. Yuan returned a stiff nod before grabbing the warm oatmeal. The smell of cinnamon filled the small cell as Yuan placed small bites into Chiu's surprised mouth. Silence filled the cell as Yuan continued to feed the sick Chiu.

"I'm not doing this for you," Yuan said, breaking the silence. "This is because you'll forever be in my debt and it is pathetic watching you be sick. A big change from your usual peppy self." Chiu gave a small sound of acknowledgment as she continued to eat the food slowly. Once Chiu finished her food, Yuan place the rim of the cup to Chiu's lips as she finished up the rest of the unfinished water. With his other hand, Yuan reached for the single paper napkin place upon the well polished wooden tray and placed Chiu's already empty white glass bowl atop the tray. Shifting his eyes to Chiu's relaxed face, he started to wipe away all extra traces of food at the corners of Chiu's closed mouth. Slowly, Chiu's eyes began to shut; her head slipped out of Yuan's grasp and fell onto Yuan's lap. Startled, Yuan dropped the white cloth onto the dirt covered floor. A peaceful expression washed over Chiu's face as she became lost to this world. Yuan looked down at his lap, his face devoid of any emotion until a small twitch touched the corner of his mouth. With a sigh he pushed aside a few strands of Chiu's stray brown locks. Slowly, his own eyes started to shut as sleep completely overcame him.

Brown eyes peered over a small white rimmed bowl. Across sat Yuan, his hand placed at the back of his neck as if trying to support it.

"Yuan," Chiu's timid voice rang out. Slowly Yuan turned his head towards the fidgety girl.

"What." Yuan continued to rub the back of his neck in hopes of massaging the pain away. Chiu started to fidget even more at Yuan's harsh tone.

"Well, out with it."

"Do you think dreams can tell the future?" Chiu asked shrugged "It would depend."
Chiu nodded distantly. Silence engulfed the two before the sound of deep breathing filled the room.

"Well last night I had a dream and you were in it, you were worried about me. I think I was hurt and you took care of me," Chiu said briskly through closed eyes. Yuan chuckled darkly at Chiu's words.

"Dreaming 'bout me now." Chiu's face started to darken a shade of red as she tried to avert her eyes away from Yuan's.

"J-J-Just answer me," Chiu stuttered. Yuan gave Chiu a smirk.

"No." Chiu let out a sad sigh.

"Then I guess it'll only be a dream."