Nightmare

Posted on Wed Jan 21st, 2026 @ 1:02pm by Lola ‘Myth’ McDowell & René Rouen

1,585 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Safe Harbour
Location: Lola's Cottage
Timeline: 12.08.2012/0400 hours (December 8th, 4am GMT)

Lola was not one to normally dwell on the past or anything that normally effected her but the persistent nightmare kept hitting her where she had not kneed Smith about that could of happened or potentially worse what was going to happen when the Europa returned in a couple of weeks. She tossed and turned in bed not realising how deep she was in the dream where she was being chased through the village by the man who had a weapon somehow.

René had learned to be a light sleeper in the last three years, a skill that had saved his life more than once against the Soulless and occasionally against the living. He was awoken by a shout in the dark. He sat up in bed and immediately placed a hand on the hilt of his sword that was in the scabbard wedged between the bedand night stand. He sat there for a moment wondering if he had actually heard something or if it was the wind blowing through the trees outside. He was about to lay down and return to his slumber when he heard a second shout, one unmistakably coming from Lola. He threw back the covers and leapt from the bed while drawing his rapier from the scabbard and ran barefoot and bare chested from his bedroom to Lola's. She was now screaming in terror. He could only think that and intruder must have entered and was attacking her. He threw open the door to Lola's bedroom, but wasn't prepared for seeing just her thrashing around in her bed alone. "Lola, wake up!" He moved to the bed and lightly shook her shoulder when his calling out didn't wake her. "Mademoiselle, wakeup!"

Lola winced at the sensation of being pinned down and swung his arms around to get the person off of her. “Get off me Smith. You rapist shit.” She screamed before the voice got through the sleep confusion and she realised she was in her bedroom and someone was groaning in pain.

Lola's wild punch had been forceful enough to knock him on his backside. She had caught him on his left cheek. He let out a yelp of pain as he fell. It was a moment before he looked up at Lola staring daggers at him from her bed. "Pardon. I heard you scream and thought an intruder or one of the Soulless had gotten into the house. I didn't know it was just a bad dream." He got to his feet and headed to the bedroom door.

Lola winced and twisted in her dulvet to get free and stumbled on to the floor next to him to check him over. “I am so sorry.” She breathed pulling his hand away to check his cheek. “No zombies have ever gotten in. There are patrols.” Lola stated quietly sitting back on her heels. “I guess all of Nathan’s self defence has paid off,”

René winced slightly as Lola pulled his hand away. He forgot about the pain for a moment as she tried to inspect his cheek in the dark room. "You've nothing to be sorry for. You were having a nightmare and lashed out in your sleep. If anyone is to blame, it's me. I was the one who came into your room unannounced and uninvited." His expression changed to one of concern. "I know it is none of my business,but...who is Smith?"

Lola sighed and slowly stood and lit the candle she had by her bed. She really was thankful it was too cold to sleep naked she decided as she leaned down to offer an arm to tug him up. “He… he was a guy I was considering dating a few months back but turned into a pleb who wanted something I was unwilling to give so tried to take.” She finally chose her words slowly and purposefully.

René accepted Lola's assistance in rising from the floor, but took a step back as she spoke of this Smith character. The candle light showed a deep conern etching his face. "I am terribly sorry that happened to you. I hope the man was justly punished for his transgressions." He felt a cold rage start to take hold. He hated those who prayed on women and children.

“No he was not other than kneeing where it would hurt any man.” She sighed sitting back on her bed. “It all happened to fast and then he was gone on the Europa again.” She knew if Nathan or their communication chief knew then Smith would never be leaving the ship on shore leave ever again at the very least if not dead.

René wished he could say or do something to help Lola. It wasn't his place to interfere though. He glanced at the wind up clock and noticed the time was just after 4am in the morning. He went to the door and retrieved his weapons. "Get some rest." He closed the door. He stepped away. He didn't know who this Smith was, but he was going to make sure the person never bothered Lola again. He descended the stairs and headed for the kitchen. He could at least ensure Lola had her morning tea and a good breakfast waiting for her when she got downstairs.

Lola watched the man leave and looked at her hands confused at why she was dreaming about Smith of all people. He was not the first man to try something like that in their new world. She scrubbed at her face and shivered under her blankets but the exhaustion soon took back over.

At least this time the dream was not memorable and she did not stir until she could smell coffee.

René had gone downstairs. He got a fire going in the stove and set about preparing breakfast. First coffee, then with flour, two eggs and some water a batter with which to prepare pancakes. Then he boiled a small kettle of water. He was putting a platter of pancakes on the table as he finally heard footsteps on the stairs. He looked up at Lola as she stepped into the kitchen. "I hope crepes are okay. I wasn't sure if you would prefer coffee or tea though."

Lola stepped into the kitchen still in pjs wrapping a cardigan around her. “You really need to stop doing this. I will get used to it.” She laughed as she sat down in her familiar seat of choice rubbing her eyes. It was not quite dawn but she knew it was closer to eight than seven.

René smiled at Lola's good spirits despite the nightmare she'd had earlier. He held aloft a coffee mug and a tea cup. "Which would you prefer Mademoiselle? I made coffee and the kettle has hot water for tea."

“Coffee if I am up at this time on a Sunday.” She breathed. She normally used Sunday to catch up on her sleep but it seemed that was not going to be a thing this Sunday. She was a little too full of energy.

René brought her beverages and sat opposite her at the table. "I don't mind making breakfast in the morning. I actually enjoy cooking breakfast. Especially on Sunday mornings before attending church services."

Lola took the mug and savoured the smell of the fresh coffee before she added some milk and sugar. “Are you going to church today?” She wondered not having been regularly since before she started at university but sometimes she caught evening service in the week.

René took a sip of coffee and nodded as he made a plate of pancakes for Lola and set the plate down before her. "Yes. Sunday was always a day to spend with family when I was growing up. Breakfast and church services. Then Bible study. My family usually went to a restaurant for lunch afternoon's were usually for watching football on the television."

Lola really co was not used to people looking after or trying to feed her. She looked at the plate in front of her and smiled a lot more as she started to tuck in to them. “I cannot really remember Sundays specifically. My dad was in the army so worked a lot and my mum tried so hard to keep me busy or allowed me to do my own thing. There was no real routine.”

René slowly nodded. "There were times I wished I could go spend time with my friends on Sundays, but now. I miss those days. I hope that your friend on the radio is my sister, but part of me is scared. I guess we'll find out either way tonight."

The woman sipped on her coffee and smiled. She was pretty sure, there would not be many people with similar things left in the world but town would tell. “Well enjoy the service. I do not go but I will go for a walk I think.”

René nodded before finishing his coffee. "Well, if you will excuse me. I'm going to get ready for church. Enjoy your walk. I'll see you this afternoon." He placed his coffee mug in the sink and headed up the stairs to get dressed.

Lola just nodded. She had lots to do before she did her usual communication with France as four pm. She just needed to get out from under the cloud of her nightmare first. She would need to talk about Smith with someone properly before he came back.

 

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