That night after the show, Michael was sitting watching TV sprawled out over the hotel bed. Zara fell asleep with her head in his lap. Playing with her hair, he sat stewing over the way she reacted to her brother. There had to be a story there. If he had done something bad that she almost remembered, he hoped that Zara would keep it blocked out of her mind.
He turned off the lights and snuggled down next to her. A few minutes later, he drifted off.
"X!" she screamed. "HELP!"
Michael jumped out of his sleep to feel her arms flailing around, hitting at the air.
"NO! NO! NO!" she screamed.
Michael flipped on the light, shaking her.
"Zara sweetie, wake up. Z, shh... I got you. I'm here. Wake up, baby."
Her eyes flew open, and she grabbed him, crying hysterically.
"Shh, don't cry. It's okay now. You're safe. I'm here."
