Father's Splitting Image? (Cass)

[Tyler Ryonas]

Ty lay in bed, sleeping soundly. It had been a few days since Cass' return from the hospital. They had resumed their normal lives again.

Only, tonight, Ty's sleep wasn't peaceful. He had a nightmare. A flashback, as he tossed and turned. He saw the cave again, his mom tied up as Jay beat on her, and smacked her with the tree limb. The fight they'd had, ending with Jay's bloody, motionless body lying at the bottom of the hill outside the cave.

Then, Ty saw something different. He was in the bathroom, washing his face. He looked up into the mirror. What he saw wasn't his reflection. It was Jay. And he had that sick grin....

Ty jerked awake and sat up in bed, sweat pouring down his now-pale face. He didn't realized he had screamed....

[Cass Old Account]

Cass was sleeping somewhat peacefully. She'd had a hard time convincing herself that Jay was no longer with them, but had finally done it. A few minutes later, she heard Ty scream, and she rolled out of bed, landing with a THUD. Quickly getting on her feet, she raced to his room, which wasn't far.

Opening the door, Cass shouted, "What's wrong? Are you okay?!" Then Cass saw his face and realized he had had a nightmare. She sat down on his bed. "Do you want to talk about it?" She opened her arms, welcoming him into a hug.

[Tyler Ryonas]

Ty didn't notice his Mom until she was right next to him. He threw his arms around her when she hugged him. Tears were already flowing, and he trembled as he spoke.

"I...had...a nightmare...." Ty said shakily, that final image of Jay burned into his brain. "It was about...him..." Ty leaned back, his tear-filled blue eyes staring into hers.

"It was...a complete flashback from the incident at the cave...and then..." He wrapped his arms around her again, burying his face in her hair. "I...looked in a mirror, and I saw...." He broke down crying, unable to finish. Then, in between tears he said, "Am...I...anything....like him?" Ty asked, voice shaky.

[Cass Old Account]

Cass listened to what Ty said as she wrapped her arms in a warm and loving embrace. She rubbed his back as he spoke. The nightmare sounded awful and the fact that Jay was behind this, made her feel rage, but she fought it back. Ty was more important than thinking about Jay.

Cass had looked in his eyes when he looked into hers, and now he asked if he was anything like Jay. Lookwise...unfortunately, yes... "Sweetheart, you are nothing like him. You're mostly like me. Believe me, sweetie, you are nothing like the creep." She held him close and closed her eyes. "I love you more than anything in the world. Don't tell yourself that you are like him. Because you're not and that's the truth."

[Tyler Ryonas]

"Thanks," Ty said, his voice barely a whisper. He snuggled her before kissing her on the cheek, closing his eyes as he got lost in his mother's loving embrace.

He looked back up at her. "I'm feeling better, but...his face..." Ty said, tearing up again. "I can't get that image out of my head..." He lay his head on her shoulder.

[Cass Old Account]

Cass felt him snuggle and Cass snuggled back. She got a kiss on the cheek and she kissed his forehead. She wanted him to feel better...

"Sh....Sh....it's okay. He's not going to get you...he's gone...there's nothing to be afraid of." She hugged him tighter and rested her head on his. "It was just you and me before he came, and it'll be just you and me now."

[Tyler Ryonas]

Ty sighed happily, starting to feel better now, thanks to his Mom. "I know. It's just....that was the most terrifying day of my life...and that dream...."

He let go and lay back down. "Thanks, mom. You've really helped." Then, he sat up and chuckled. "You know, this is the first time you've had to comfort me like this. Usually it's the other way around."

[Cass Old Account]

Cass nodded. "I know it was, but it's over now, okay? You don't have to worry about it ever again. That I promise you." She kissed his forehead and watched him lay back down.

Cass got ready to leave when he sat back up again. What he said made her chuckle slightly. "Yeah, strange, isn't it? It feels weird being on the other side of the fence."

[Ray]

"Thank God for that," Ty said with a shudder, laying back down. He rolled over and closed his eyes, feeling more peaceful now.

"It is strange, but most of the time, it's the mom who's comforting the son," he teased lightly. "Thanks, you've made me feel better. Night. I love you, and I'll see you in the morning..." He then closed his eyes, going back to sleep.