As you'll recall in last week's episode, Dallas' ex tantalized him with the idea of returning to Wonderland and then ran out on him. What's a guy to do? Find out in this week's chapter of Dallas in Wonderland. Then see what the other Briefers are up to, their links follow my tale. And look for the FLASH VIRGIN this week.
Dallas’ eyes snapped open, even as his back began to
protest. Eerie shadows floated in front of him, shapes that bore no resemblance
to anything found in his bedroom. A scream formed in his throat, growing larger
and larger, demanding exit. But just before he released the unholy sound,
memories of the night before flooded his brain, and he closed his eyes, working
to re-orient himself.
He wasn’t at home, he was in Campbell’s apartment. Sleeping
on Campbell’s couch. The screaming had actually taken place in the wee hours of
the night. A confusing jumble of images flooded his mind: tentacles and
hatchets and blood red eyes and soft tender lips. Campbell had rescued him from
the nightmare, calmed him into quiet, and insisted on bringing him home with
him. Dallas had been in no condition to argue, and he didn’t.
More than a week had elapsed since Dallas’ unsatisfying
conversation with his ex at Chaucer’s. Not a word had he heard from Quentin,
not so much as a syllable. He half expected to find him lurking in the
hallways, whenever he went for his sessions with Samuel. But every corner he
looked around was bereft of Quentin’s presence, leaving Dallas even more
depressed than he’d been before.
Clink, clink.
What was that? Dallas sat up in alarm. The blanket Campbell
had draped over him fell to the floor. Dallas’ heart beat fast, until his brain
played catch-up with his imagination and he realized what he’d heard was the
sound of a spoon in a cup. He smelled the fragrance of fresh-brewed coffee, his
nostrils flaring in anticipation. Moments later, Campbell appeared, a cup in
each hand.
Dallas dove for the blanket with a murmured apology. To keep
Campbell from tripping on it, he spread it across his lap. Okay, maybe it was also
about warmth, not just safety
Campbell handed him a cup, before taking a seat beside him.
“You’ve touched my heart... and my stomach.” Dallas tried to
keep his tone light, to show he was fine.
Maybe it was himself he needed to
convince the most.
Campbell took Dallas’ free hand in his own, clutching it
while he searched Dallas’s eyes. Dallas tried not to flinch from his scrutiny.
“I know something’s troubling you. I’m worried about you,
Dallas. What can I do to help?”
What indeed, Dallas wondered, almost bitterly, wishing for
the umpteenth time he could have met Campbell first, before Samuel. But the
heart wanted what it wanted. And what Dallas’ heart wanted was Samuel Levi. Dr. Samuel Levi, he reminded himself
with a grimace.
He turned his head, afraid of what Campbell might see there.
Such as the truth.
At Campbell’s next words, Dallas jerked his head around so
quickly, he considered himself to be a candidate for whiplash.
“What does Wonderland mean to you, Dallas?” Campbell’s voice
was soft and soothing.
Something in Dallas’ eyes must have warned Campbell he’d hit
the nail too close to the head. He tightened his grip on Dallas’ hand.
“I don’t mean to pry, honey, honestly, but you kept saying
it in your sleep. After I... well, after you came over here last night.”
“What else did I say?” Dallas fearfully asked. Did Campbell
now think he was loopy too? He couldn’t bear to lose the only real friend he
had left. Not counting Samuel. Could he actually count Samuel as a friend? He
wished he knew.
“Something about tarts, I think. And maybe your doctor’s
name. Isn’t Samuel your doctor?”
Dallas gulped and nodded.
He raised the cup to his lips, surprised that his hand was
as steady as it was, took a long soothing sip. The warmth and the caffeine
fortified him as it slid down his throat.
“I’m here for you, Dallas,” Campbell murmured, and every
resolution Dallas had ever had melted in that instant.
He began to speak, as if a dam had burst, baring his soul, spilling
his secrets, both old and new. And never once did Campbell interrupt or
comment, listening with a solemn expression and trusting green eyes.
When he was done, Dallas laid the forgotten coffee cup
aside, releasing a shuddering breath. The next moment, he felt himself
enveloped in Campbell’s warm embrace. He made no move to disentangle himself, his
head on Campbell’s chest, content to listen to the rhythmic beat of Campbell’s heart
thudding quietly against his ear.
Then Dallas heard the words he’d been longing to hear for so
long, those precious words he never thought would be directed at him.
“Dallas, I believe you.”
He raised his head, his brows drawn together as he searched
for answers in Campbell’s steady gaze. And everything he saw indicated Campbell
meant what he said. He relaxed his face, felt the first tears as they slipped
from his eyes. Campbell brushed his thumb across Dallas’ cheeks and caught
them.
“I want to help you get back there.”
“You do?”
Campbell nodded solemnly. “Not just that. I want to go with
you. Make sure you’re safe.”
No one had ever tried to make Dallas feel safe before.
Samuel had promised... what had he actually promised? Dallas couldn’t remember.
Samuel’s words tended to dissipate once spoken, leaving only residual heartache
behind.
“I don’t know how to get back,” Dallas confessed, feeling
helpless at this unexpected onslaught of emotion. “Much less take you with me.”
“Your ex knows, doesn’t he?”
Dallas nodded.
“Then we’ll get him to talk. He was almost ready to tell
you, wasn’t he? Before he was interrupted?”
Yes, Dallas was sure Quentin had been on the verge of confession.
Damn phone call ruined everything.
“Do you think he’d hurt you?”
At first Dallas, thought Campbell meant Samuel, but then he
realized they were still talking about Quentin. He thought for a moment.
“I don’t think so.” Hope
not.
“Then invite him over and we’ll loosen his tongue.” Campbell
smiled.
Dallas arched his eyebrows, but held his questions inside.
Hope blossomed like a flower in his heart.
to be continued
Now go visit with the other Briefers!
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