Chapter Thirty-Three

I looked forward, seeing the shelves with books and papers back in Nina’s room.

“After, silence. Avoided me. Ignored me. Exam results. First. Dawn, second. Changes. Brown hair, plain hairstyle. Different face. Different person. Not friends. Only hate.”

“I know I’m only supposed to be listening to you,” Nina said with furrowed brows. “But there’s no way that this Dawn was ever right doing what she did. I’m angry thinking about how she could convince someone like you to think you’re in the wrong, when she was willing to kill you over something you couldn’t control!”

“Nina,” I said, putting my hand on her arm. I felt the jolt as she reacted to my name. “No problem. Different world. Different time.”

“It’s just that–”

“Your words.

“If through some improbable chance I happen to see this Dawn…even the zombies won’t want to eat her.”

“Bad decision. That violence, scary.”

“I know, I know. I just can’t bear to see you get hurt. And knowing that the cause of your nightmares, your doubt, your fear of opening up is because of her, makes me–”

“Actions, similar. Again, scary.”

“You’re telling me that if you had the chance, you wouldn’t do the same thing to her?” I stopped, staying silent. I hadn’t thought about doing anything to her. There was never a desire for revenge. It made sense at first. I still thought it was my fault, driving Dawn to do the things she did to me. But even as I talk to Nina, doing everything she can to make me see what she sees, I still don’t want to do anything to her. It was so foreign to me.

“Not wanting, bad person?” I asked her.

“You’re not a bad person,” she said stammering. “I just thought you’d want to make it right.”

“Make it right. Different. Do the same. Be like her. Not okay.” Nina opened her mouth to say something but stopped as her words left her.

“You’re right, that’s not okay,” she said after some silence. “You’re suffering through all of those nightmares after suffering through everything she did to you and decided that you don’t want to do the same to her. It’s strange but hearing you say that makes me happy. I was ready to destroy her for doing all of that to you. But if I ever did see her, I think I’d wait for you to make a move and support you with it.” She smiled as she turned to me. “It must be something from your world. And here you go, teaching me about it.” I laughed as she finished her last words. She stood up and stretched as she started walking towards her door. “Even though I said I’d talk to you, here I am almost falling asleep on you.” Her smile disappeared as she turned the knob. “Are you really sure that you’re going to be alright?”

“Don’t worry. Talked a lot. Helps replace. Easier now.”

“I’ll have to believe you,” she said, uneasiness in her voice. “You told me you can handle it, so I’ll believe you. But if anything happens, or if you need me to be awake, come get me right away!” I watched as a smile form after those words. “We talked about it, remember?”

“Of course,” I said, matching her smile. I watched as she reached her door again, stopping one more time. “Sweet dreams.” She let out a small laugh.

“If you aren’t going to sleep, then what should I say?” she asked, opening the door.

“Different things. But sweet dreams. Special.” Nina laughed again.

“Then, sweet dreams.”