Annabelle

Annie

Are you awak?

No Louis, I am not "awak," but I am certainly awake. ;)

Annie, please.

Okay. Something's wrong. Spill.

I can't sleep, Annie.

Close your eyes.

I've tried that.

But it just makes it al come back.

I don't understand, Annie, this hasn't happened in a long time.

What's coming back?

Everything?

Try too breathe, okay?

I'm going to hyperventilate soon, Annie.

Can I call you?

Please, Annie?

*Incoming call from Annie*

"Thank you," Louis' voice reached her ears.

"What's wrong?" Annabelle asked softly.

"The long story."

"Ready to talk?"

"I'm not sure yet."

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"Yes, Waters, I said okay."

"Who is Waters?"

"Oh boy," Annabelle sighed.

"How did you make it stop? The nightmares, I mean. Surely you had them, you said your brother did."

"I learned to cope. I learned to be okay again." Annabelle's voice was restricted slightly. His voice was wondrous; it was soft, but albeit slightly shaky at the moment, it was comforting. It was careful, breathy. It was low and sexy and sweet. She wanted to hear it all the time.

Louis took a deep breath. "It's about my sister,"

"What is?"

"The nightmare. At least, this one is."

"It's thought you said you were an only child?" As Annabelle said this she recalled the first interview she had watched.

*"Playing air guitar with my sister at five years old."*

"I'm not ready to talk about her yet." Louis said shakily. "She deserved at lot better and she was taken away."

"I'm sorry."

"I don't know why I called you. I'm sorry, I guess . . . I guess I just wanted to feel like I wasn't alone anymore."

"You aren't."

"Promise?"

"Of course. You're not alone. You've got me." Annabelle smiled softly. The exhaustion she had felt early in the night was coming back. It was nearly two in the morning now.

"Thank you, Annie. That makes me feel a little better." Louis took a shaky breath and sighed. She had the strong feeling that he was wiping at tears. "You can go to bed, sweetheart."

"Are you sure you're okay now?"

"I'll be fine, Annie."

"I'll stay on the phone if you'd like."

"Until when?"

"Until whenever."

"Until . . . Until I fall asleep?"

"If you like."

"I like."

Annabelle didn't speak for several minutes, and neither Louis; she simply listened to the sounds of his breaths evening out, growing softer, deeper.

She was almost lulled to sleep herself when his voice whispered to her.

"I just realized something."

"What?" She asked softly.

"Your voice is beautiful."