I settled down next to Joshua again.

Since my wristwatch had broken, I had no idea what time it was. I also don't know how much time passed after Joshua fell on me.

'It couldn't have been that much time, could it?'
I asked myself in my mind.

There was only one solution, to find out what time it was. The room with the treatment chair in the middle...
Until now, that was the only room where the sun's rays could penetrate.

The next second, however, I shook my head. I didn't want to go back in there, not alone. It was very monstrous there. The thought of the blood on the metal frame made me wince.

Should I run quickly to the main entrance and look out?

I was totally tired somehow, and I didn't have the energy to look after this strange hospital anymore.

My wounds were burning from the cold and I began to shiver. My gaze wandered to Joshua, who seemed to be sleeping peacefully. My jacket was still lying on him. This afternoon it was already cold and very foggy, and now it seemed to have become even colder. I noticed that I was getting tired, and my eyes were closing.

'I can't sleep, what if those people come?'
I thought just before I fell asleep. The whole pain began to run through my body and I couldn't do anything about it....

Slowly, I opened my eyes and saw my parents in front of me. I flinched, was I at home? Where had Joshua gone?

Fear took over my body and I didn't know what to do. My mother looked at me angrily and her eyes were fixed on me. I saw my father behind her with a knife.

Was it finally time? Would they kill me?

I felt my hair being pulled, and the next second I screamed.

Tears came out of my eyes and my entire body began to sway. I squeezed my eyes shut and whispered in tears ''Stop, please stop... I can't take the pain anymore.... Please stop mum... Please don't hit me...''

I heard her evil laughter and everything around me went blurry, ending up black.

In the next moment, I heard a soft voice calling my name, and felt a hand on my shoulder trying to shake me awake. I immediately opened my eyes and jumped up. I closed my eyes again, and tearfully whispered: ''Please don't hit me... I haven't done anything wrong...''.

With my eyes closed, I waited for someone to hit me, but it didn't happen. Sweaty and scared, I slowly opened my eyes and saw Joshua in front of me.He was trying to get up and was walking  in my direction. 
Yesterday's candle had been out for a long time, but small rays of sunlight came out of the crack in the door of the 'creepy room'. Had it become morning?

Was it a nightmare? I swallowed and tears ran down my cheeks. I buried my face in my hands and cried.

Joshua looked at me, frightened and worried. He came closer and gently took me in his arms. He whispered in my ear with his soft voice: ''It's all right Alice, it's over, I'm with you''.

His voice reassured me and I hugged him.

We stayed like that for a few minutes, and then I slowly detached myself from him. I looked at his wound, which didn't look bad. He seemed much better.

I looked up into his blue eyes and said: ''I... I had a nightmare...''. I was at home and my parents hit me again and tried to kill me.''

I sobbed, and he slowly stroked my right cheek with his hand, wiping a tear from the corner of my eye. He smiled at me with a warm smile and said: ''Nothing like that will happen to you again, I promise you! I am with you and I will protect you!''

Confused, I continued to look into his beautiful eyes and tried to smile too. After such a long time, I felt so good and appreciated for the first time.

I've had my nightmares with my parents for a long time, it's terrible, and of course I couldn't tell my parents. I started having panic attacks because of these dreams, and my friends at the time suggested I go to therapy.

How would that work? My parents would never pay for such a thing, and would only beat me more, as I was only unnecessary and used up their money.

Joshua's closeness and warmth seemed new to me, but it felt really nice.

I wanted to stand like this forever and look into his eyes and see his smile...

He was still gently stroking my face and wiping away my salty tears.

Suddenly, we heard voices and footsteps. 

The voices seemed to come from outside.

''Hey, hurry up! Someone will see us!''

"Yeah, yeah, I'm coming, you better help me carry this thing, it's heavy!''

My body was paralyzed, and I stood in the hallway with Joshua.

What was going to happen now?