#krygma

“I can’t believe I fell you for you!” Kristen cried as she gathered her clothes. “You’re just a psychopath.” She tried to open the door, but he grabbed her arms, desperately trying to reason with her. “Let go me!” Kristen grabbed the vase on the nightstand and smashed it over his head. 

He could feel the blood bubbling from the attack, and his head was starting to feel woozy, but it didn’t stop him. On a normal occasion, he would’ve passed out from the pain to his head. Now, he was too determined to make her understand. 

As Kristen pounded on the door, screaming for help, he grabbed her arms and spun her around. She wouldn’t stop screaming, so he did the one thing he could. He put one hand over her mouth and the other against her throat, being careful not to press too hard. 

She struggled against him. “Don’t say that,” he cried. “I did it because I love you! I love you! Don’t you understand?” As he spoke, she continued to struggle, screams bubbling beneath her throat, beneath his touch. “I would never... never do anything to hurt you.” He tightened his hold on her without meaning to, as if he was trying to contain her screams. Her struggles became less and less aggressive, and he thought he was finally getting to her. 

When he was sure she would be alright, Edward took his hand off her throat and mouth. She didn’t move. “Kristen?” he asked. There was no response. He stared at her, and he realized she wasn’t breathing, and though her eyes were open, she was staring at nothing. His heart constricted. “No. Kristen!” He held her in his arms and slid to the floor, pressing her close to his chest. What had he done? He didn’t want to her; he had told her he would never hurt her, and here she was, lifeless in his arms. He took a shaky breath, and the tears started. He cried loudly, yelling her name as he rocked her. 

“Ed,” a voice whispered. “Ed!” 

Edward’s eyes snapped open, and he found Kristen lying beside him. He let out a gasp of disbelief and pushed himself upright, not believing his eyes. 

“Are you alright? You were mumbling and moving around in your sleep.” She pursed her lips in concern. 

“...It was a dream,” he whispered.

“What?” 

Should he tell her? There was no harm in telling her his dream, he supposed, but he couldn’t very well tell her that he had killed in it. He also decided he shouldn’t tell her about Tom. There was just some things you kept a secret, and if she found out, it could be disastrous. “I had a nightmare,” he admitted. “You were dead.” 

Kristen blinked in confusion. “I was dead?” 

He nodded and rubbed his eyes, gulping thickly. “....it was just scary. I don’t want to think about losing you.” 

“Oh, Ed,” she said softly. “It was only a nightmare, and...” She leaned closer. “I’m not going anywhere.” She met his lips, and his eyes fluttered shut, his mind still pounding from his dream. “Good night, Ed. Try to have pleasant dreams.” 

Edward smiled. “After that kiss, I think I might.” 

Kristen laughed and turned off the lamp, snuggling against the pillow and falling asleep in seconds.