My face dripped with sweat and my legs wouldn't stop trembling.

Everything felt so numb.

My body wouldn't react no matter how much I wanted to move or scream.

I opened my eyes to see my surroundings and quickly realized this had to be a nightmare..

The room looked like an abandoned hospital room. There was a variety of sharp machines that I didn't understand what they were for.

There was dirty windows that were blocked with bricks like someone was trying to keep something out.

While the dirty walls had dried blood hand stains that were almost claw like.

I tilted my head back to stare at the ceiling and was not surprised to see more bloody handprints.

An unsettling feeling was rushing through my body the more I inspected the quiet room.

I closed my eyes shut and tried my hardest to wake up.

Please..

Please..

Wake up..

I opened my eyes and I almost cried out when nothing had changed.

"Try all you want..but you will never leave." a deep voice mocked and echoed through the walls.

Nobody was in the room with me which caused a chill to go down my spine.

"Royce.."

"Oh Royce...I'm coming for you.."

Low whispers suddenly surrounded me like a hurdle of bees. I ordered my body to run but my legs wouldn't move.

They just trembled in fear..

Then out of nowhere a dark shadow stood in front of me and back hand slapped me across the face.

My cheek felt an unfamiliar feeling as I tried to touch it but couldn't.

"Now you will know what pain really is!" the dark figure yelled in my face and hit me once more.

I felt my nose start to bleed as my face started to ache.

It wasn't possible...I couldn't feel pain so why did it hurt?..

I closed my eyes shut and prayed somebody would wake me up from this nightmare. My heart was starting to beat rapidly once the rush of pain was erupting on my bloody nose and mouth.

I opened my eyes and my chest felt heavy when I was suddenly tightly strapped on the hospital bed with only my head able to move.

The bright light hanging from the ceiling burned my eyes as I heard creepy whispers around the room but couldn't see anybody.

"Be a good boy, Royce."

I glanced over to my side and saw a broad man wearing a white doctor coat but his eyes were completely black and he had a sinister smile.

His sharp nails grabbed what seemed like a small cutting knife.

"Get away from me!" I was able to scream when he started to slice my shirt open to expose my chest and stomach.

He ignored my screams and started to hum like he was an actual doctor doing a procedure on a patient.

I tried my hardest to loosen the straps on my hands but it would start to burn like I was placing my wrists over a hot stove.

"So pretty...your skin will make a lovely masterpiece." were the words spoken that made me finally yell out in fear.

"Someone please wake me up! Please!" I screamed at the top of my lungs as tears blurred my eyes.

The fact that my eyes didn't burn from crying proved to me once more I was living in a nightmare.

"SHUT UP!" a sharp screech came out of the man's mouth as his whole face once again turned into nothing but a dark shadow.

His claws scratched down the side of my stomach and for once in my lifetime I finally felt pain.. and it was the worst feeling ever..

Hot tears rushed from my eyes as I gritted my teeth to silence my cries.

"Lets turn you around and have a look at your back shall we?"

In less than a couple of seconds, I was forced to be on my stomach. My eyes stared down at nothing but a bloody concrete floor.

The agony to not be able to see what was going to happen was making the fear in me to double. Tears kept pouring out of my eyes and landed on the ground like raindrops.

"Please wake me up! I'm begging you! Somebody!" I screamed in a broken voice.

A burning sensation erupted on my shoulder as I felt something sharp glide down my shoulder blade. I yelled out in pain and tried to move my trembling body.

Cut after cut was being brutally placed on my back from different directions.

All I could do was scream in desperation and pray that this unfamiliar feeling of pain would be over soon.

"Royce!"

Then just like that everything disappeared and I was back in my room...

I adjusted my eyes to the sunlight and saw my dad beside my bed. He had a concerned expression on his face and a bruise on his cheek.

Did I punch him while he tried to wake me up?

"Are you alright? I heard your screams from downstairs." he informed me and inspected my body for any wounds.

I looked around and didn't know what to think..was I really home?

"Royce, please speak to me son.." my dad begged once he noticed my zoning out.

I was shaken up and my trembling hands didn't make it better. I knew I had scratches but I wouldn't let my dad inspect my back or my side.

"I-I'm fine.." I lied and took deep breaths to control my rapid heart beat.

Deep down inside I wanted to hug him and cry until I had no more tears left. I wanted to tell him that I finally knew what pain was like..but I did none of that.

"Let me get you some water. Pablo and Chris went to pick up a crib with Angela so I'll change out of my work clothes and I'll be back." my dad said before he left my room.

I glanced over at the clock and it was eleven in the morning which made me wonder why my dad was home so soon?

It didn't really matter since if it wasn't for him I would still be in that damn hospital bed being sliced open...

Just the thougt gave me the urge to throw up so I got up in a rush and ran to the bathroom to do just that. I wiped my mouth when I was done then glanced down to see the marks on my side still fresh.

I touched my back and felt something wet. I checked my fingers and saw blood..

I went over to the mirror and turned around to see my whole back covered in dark red cuts. Some were still bleeding which made me fall down to my knees.

I couldn't take this anymore.

"Royce?" the brat's worried voice made me glance up at him.

He walked into the bathroom and closed the door behind him. He carefully got on the cold floor with and combed my messy hair out of my face.

He already knew I had a nightmare so he didn't question me about it. Instead he inspected the three scratches on the side of my stomach then grabbed some alochol and bandages.

"It's okay...I'll disinfect these then I'll make you some brekafast." Chris nervously said as he tried his best to comfort me.

He had no idea about the ones on my back and I wasn't sure if I wanted him to know. Everything just felt so numb.

"There's more on my back, I actually felt the horrible pain when I received them." I informed the brat and turned around to show him my wounded back.

The bathroom fell silent and I wondered if Chris was getting more bandages until I turned to face him.

He had both of his hands on his mouth as he was trying his best to silence his crying. I wrapped my arms around his trembling body and kissed the top of his head.

The fact that he was crying for me made me love him even more.

"We need to call Annette." he seriously stated.

"I will, just don't tell the family about this yet." I replied and got up to take a much needed shower.

Chris stood up as well and tilted his head and stared at my lips. I knew what he wanted so I leaned down a bit to softly kiss his mouth.

After I was done showering I called Annette and told her what had happened to me. She had short respones and said she was on her way to give me a visit.

That to me sounded like a bad sign since she was coming all the way here.

I headed back to my bed to get some rest while my dad walked in with a cup of coffee and a chocolate donut.

I kindly accepted them as he sat down beside me.

"Royce, when I came home you were sleeping on the couch." my dad said a bit concerned.

I took a sip of my coffee and took a bite of my donut as I waited for him to finish talking. He stared at me like I should be shocked or something at what he said.

"What's your point?" I questioned.

My dad let out a heavy sigh and rubbed his hands together, "When I went to the kitchen to grab a glass of water you were suddenly gone. I heard your screaming from upstairs and couldn't believe you were sleeping here. It wasn't possible for you to get here so fast without making any noise.." he replied.

I had no memory of falling asleep on the couch or walking upstairs. Did I get drunk?

I would of had a hangover so that wasn't it.

It creeped me out but I didn't want my dad to worry.

"Oh uhm, I was really tired so I practically ran up here to my room." I easily lied and took another sip of my coffee to avoid eye contact.

My dad stayed silent for a couple of seconds then got up and kissed my forehead, "Get some rest." was all he said and left my room.

He knew I was lying which made me feel a bit guilty.

I placed my donut on my nightstand next to my coffee and tried to get comfortable in my bed.

The door creeked open and I heard the brat's low voice, "I told everybody downstairs not to bother you so you can get some rest. Need something else?" he questioned.

I stared at him with a small smile and nodded, "Yeah, you. Come here and lay down with me." I replied and made room for him.

He looked out into the hallway then closed the door behind him. He took off his shoes and crawled into bed with me.

We held eachother close as I inhaled his soft scent that eased some of my stress.

My eyes were begging to close but part of me was still scared of falling asleep and having the same nightmare again.

I couldn't relive that...

"Royce, get some rest. I promise I won't leave your side." Chris assured me and kissed the side of my jaw.

I pecked his lips and let his head rest on my chest. I felt him lightly rub his fingers on my arm to help me fall asleep.

He had no idea how much his simple touch affected me.

It was the only thing that made me close my eyes and let sleep take over my body..

^*^*^€*^*^*€*^*^€*^*^

Danny and I watched with bored expressions as Angela looked at all the colors on display in front of her.

She wanted to pain the baby's room a 'soft' color so now Danny and I were stuck here with her.

Pablo was working and Chris was still at school while I was forced to sit her on this bench with a toddler on my lap.

I was suppose to go to school as well but my dad said it would be better if I got some rest instead. He called the school and told them I was going to be absent for a couple of days.

Sleeping was difficult unless I had Chris by my side.

"Want to share those?" I questioned Danny as he made smashing noises with his mouth and crashed his toy cars together.

He shook his head no and continued to play.

"Fine, but when I get my own I'm not sharing with you." I warned him.

I looked around this place as a distraction and saw mostly old people buying simple decorations for their houses.

Bored once more I quickly snatched a red toy car from Danny and immediately received a cry of protest.

"No! Mine!" he cried out and tried to grab his toy car back even though he had a blue one in his lap to play with.

"I don't see your name on it." I replied and even checked the car to prove my point.

"It do!" he sobbed onto my chest.

I played with the toy then felt him start to kiss my cheek knowing that was my weakness.

"Bear!" he cried as tears streamed down his rosy cheeks.

I wrapped my arms around him and kissed his chubby cheek until he was a giggling mess. I wiped his wet eyes and kissed him once more before returing his toy.

"I love you." he giggled out causing me to be taken back by his words.

He never said that to Frankie or anybody else which really surprised me. I always thought about how difficult it was for him not to have parents that show him any affection.

I held Danny close to me so we could make eye contact, "I love you more my little cub. Don't ever forget it." I seriously told him.

He smiled and kissed me on the mouth before he sat himself down on my lap again.

A lady passing by gave us a disgusted face when she saw Danny kiss me on the lips.

I saw nothing wrong with a toddler kissing you on the mouth. Danny was still an innocent child who just wanted to show his affection.

"The only thing nasty here is that dress you're wearing lady!" I yelled at the woman causing her to turn around and flip me off.

I returned the favor and soon Danny's little middle finger was also waving up in the air.

I chuckled and picked up the troublemaker and went to search for Angela. I was starving and Danny was whining not to long ago he was also hungry.

We found her at the very end of the aisle looking at paintbrushes with a determined stare as she rubbed her huge belly.

I wondered when her due date was.

"Is this brand of brushes better than these? Why are they different colors? Which ones should I buy!" Angela frantically questioned once she saw me.

"Calm down you hormonal woman just get these big ones since you're painting a room." I calmly replied and handed her the packe of paintbrushes so she could look at them.

That's when Danny had the amazing idea to throw his red car on the floor. He burst out in giggles as a wheel broke off of it.

I gave him a warning stare then he threw his blue car as far as he could causing it to break in half. He laughed even harder once the poor car was now in pieces.

I put him down and scolded the naughty child, "Go pick it before I let that man take you away." I threatened and pointed to a fat man carrying a large gallon of paint.

Danny pouted and ran to the blue toy car. He stood by it then kicked it towards me and laughed.

"What are you looking for?" Angela questioned when she saw me trying to find something on the asiel.

"A belt so I can whip his little ass." I simply replied.

"No Bear!" Danny started to cry on the floor and roll around.

"Honey he's not actually going to hit you." Angela laughed.

I crossed my arms and scoffed, "That's what you think." I teasingly replied.

Angela nudged me and shook her head in humor. She went over to pick up Danny but then suddenly stopped.

I raised an eyebrow in confusion as I noticed something wet dripping between her legs.

"Angela are you okay?" I asked in concern.

"My water just broke!" she cried out and held her stomach in pain.

My eyes widened as I stared down at her belly not knowing what to do.

"Get me to the hospital before I have this baby on the floor!" she shook me out of my frozen state.

I rushed to pick up Danny then I helped Angela out of the store and into the backseat of the car. Danny started to cry beside her since she kept screaming in pain.

He didn't understand what was happening to her.

Once we got to the closest hospital, Angela was placed in a wheelchair and questioned by nurses as the rushed her to the delivery room.

I immediately called my dad and told him Angela was in labor. He said he was on his way which caused me to relax a bit.

I held Danny's hand and told him it was okay.

A short nurse came back out and approached us, "Excuse me, your mom is about to deliver the baby but she wishes for your company. We can take care of the little boy." she informed.

"What? I can't.." I replied in shock.

It was already difficult for me being in a hospital and it would just be worse if I actually went to a hospital room.

"No other family member is here for her and she's already in tears.." the nurse replied with a frown.

I groaned and combed my hair back with my trembling fingers.

"Fine, just take good care of him." I told the nurse and kissed Danny's head before I was escorted to the delivery room.

I was instructed to put on some similar blue robes as the nurses then I was guided to the room Angela was in.

She was wearing a hospital robe and her hair was in a messy bun. She was making funny puffing noises as nurses hooked her up to more machines.

"Royce! Please come here!" she yelled out for me and extended her hand once I stepped inside the room.

I held her hand and right away felt her deathly grip.

A doctor walked in with a white mask around his mouth as he put on gloves. Nurses helped him with whatever he needed then they set Angela's legs up in some supports to keep them there.

"Alright Angela this baby is ready to come out so I want you to give me a big push when I tell you." the doctor kindly told Angela as he lifted the blanket placed on her lower body.

Angela squeezed my hand tighter and got red in the face when she started to push like her life depended on it.

I encouraged and told her she was doing a good job the more she kept pushing.

A nurse pushed a small tray of medical equipment that was similar to the ones in my nightmare. My heart started to rapidly beat again and I was being filled with dread.

I wanted to run out of the room as I remembered the terrible agony I was forced to endure.

The feeling of pain was something I never wished to feel again..

I tried to concentrate on helping Angela but my hands were trembling again.

Then I heard something.

I looked over and saw the doctor holding a crying baby. A nurse pushed me closer and I avoided looking at anything I wasn't suppose to see.

"Want to cut the umbilical cord?" she cheerfully questioned then gave me a pair of small scissors.

They helped me cut it properly and soon my baby sister was being cleaned off with a pink towel.

She let out horrible cries but all I could do was stare at her in complete admiration.

"Let him hold her please." Angela's tired voice was heard.

She gave me a kind smile of encouragement and just like that I was holding my baby sister.

It was like the world around me turned off and my only light was this baby in my arms.

She was beyond beautiful to me.

"Welcome to the world my little peanut.." I gently whispered and kissed her for the very first time..