My body shivers. This bitter cold torments me to the point where my thighs are shaking frantically. Am I being haunted in my sleep? Was yesterday not enough? With a final twitch, I'm brought to consciousness, although it takes a few seconds to alert the rest of my body. These goose bumps feel like prickly needles, who knows the countless hours they've statued upon my skin in the absence of a blanket, and clothes.

I slowly unfold from my previous curled position. Laying on my side, I can't help feel heavy and stiff like stone. Each stretch mimics a crack, making me feel more alive on this chilly morning. But alive to what? Pictures of a hospital room and my parents quickly flash in my mind, warning me of what I'm to confront the moment I open my eyes. Tempted to curl back into a ball, I hesitate and shield my eyes from the familiar brightness.

I pause at the touch of damp cheeks and puffy lids. Have I been crying in my sleep this whole time? My eyes begin to flutter, giving me a glimpse of that dreadful light. I'd rather lay here perfectly still and freeze to death than to wake up and find myself in my bedroom. Yet for a split second, I recall an image of a room full of posters which in turn I can refute to not being mine. Meaning, if that isn't real, then all of this...

Suddenly a groan is heard followed by the faintest movement. My heart is still and eyes shut tight. I listen hard and swallow as I get ready to peek over my shoulder. Eyes shoot open and close just as fast, the emotional toll is too much for so early in the day. Tears are forming again. Tears of relief. Still I can't control the thankful streams as they turn into rivers, causing my body to tremble and warm up.

"Oh my God!" I whimper aloud.

"Wha-what?" Harry jolts and sits up, completely disoriented.

I can't answer, I'm barely surfacing from the trauma. With dreams like this, who wants to ever sleep again? Problem is, I won't be able to shake those images from my mind all day. I know myself, seeing how this hasn't been the only nightmare I've had, I wish there was a way to understand their significance.

"Baby, you aright?" his raspy voice heals me and I latch to his side. "Jeez, you're freezin'!"

Harry pulls the blanket over my paler than pale figure, and it instantly medicates my prickly skin. Assisting with his body heat, I feel his arms and legs around me. I want to greet each day just like this. The tears cease as I breathe deeply and the storytelling begins. I narrate each scene along with all the emotions, it's unbelievable how realistic it seemed.

"I read somewhere that cold temperatures can inhibit good sleep. That's probably why you had that night terror," Harry concludes.

"In that case, I'm sleeping with every blanket in this house tonight."

"So what would you be doin' right now, had we never met?"

"I don't know . . . Perhaps working as an intern for that magazine, or with Roger."

"I thought we agreed to never make mention of that name," Harry grunts and squeezes me closer.

"You asked," I finally smile.

"There's somethin' about your smile," he trails off while bringing his hand over my dewy cheek. "I hope to always make you smile."

"The scariest part . . . was believing that we had never met. Just the feeling that I had lost you but never really had you . . ."

"Shhhhh . . . I'm not goin' any where. We're stuck with each other, remember? Not only that, but we made an exchange. . ." Harry pauses to roll on top of me, staring, searching deeper. "Your heart for mine."

Notes

A/N: Chapter Playlist

"The Other Side" - Parachute

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Surprise, the mad love continues! There's so much I look forward to including in this last fragment, the chapters could be endless. And that's the idea. You gals keep me writing with your wonderful encouragements and so I will.

I hope you enjoy. Much love. Muah! Please share your thoughts :)