In the depths of her nightmare, Alexandra's consciousness was gripped by a chilling terror. Her eyes fluttered open, only to be met with darkness and a profound sense of confinement. Panic surged through her veins as she struggled to make sense of her surroundings. It took her a few agonizing moments to comprehend the horrifying truth—she was trapped, buried alive.
The weight of the earth pressed down upon her, and the walls of her muddy tomb seemed to close in around her, suffocating her with claustrophobic dread. As panic threatened to consume her, Alexandra summoned every ounce of strength she had left.
With trembling hands and sheer determination, she began to claw her way through the earth that encased her. The cold, wet mud slipped through her fingers as she fought against the suffocating darkness. Each labored movement brought her closer to the surface, but it felt like an eternity before she finally broke through.
Emerging from the mire, gasping for breath, she lay sprawled on the ground, trembling and covered in filth. The moonlight overhead offered a stark contrast to the nightmare that had just unfolded. Alexandra's heart raced as she struggled to regain her composure, the haunting memory of her entrapment etched deep into her consciousness.
As Alexandra's panicked gaze swept over her eerie surroundings, she realized with a growing horror that she was in a graveyard. The moonlight cast eerie shadows over the tombstones, creating a haunting atmosphere that chilled her to the bone. Trembling, she turned her attention to the grave she had just climbed out of, and her heart constricted as she read the inscription on the tombstone:
Alexandra Jenkins
31st October 1977 - 6th June 2021
My Little Flower
The words sent shivers down her spine and a rush of fear surged through her. They were the same words Jackson had taunted her with on that fateful night, the night he had mercilessly ruined her life.
As the memories of that traumatic experience flooded back, Alexandra's nausea intensified, and she doubled over, retching and vomiting beside her own grave. Disoriented and overwhelmed, she knew she had to escape this nightmarish place.
Summoning every ounce of strength, she scrambled to her feet, wiped her mouth, and with fear propelling her forward, she broke into a sprint, desperate to leave the cemetery behind and escape the ghosts of her past that haunted her even in her dreams.
As Alexandra's desperate flight continued, her surroundings twisted and distorted, leaving her bewildered and disoriented. In an instant, she found herself transported to the racetrack in Hungary, a place that held both cherished memories and heart-wrenching tragedy.
The deafening roar of engines filled her ears, drowning out all other sounds, as her eyes locked onto a horrific scene playing out before her. It was as if time had rewound itself. James' F2 car collided with Theo's, a haunting replay of the accident that had forever altered their lives. Panic gripped her, and she felt herself screaming, tears streaming down her face, as the nightmarish scene unfolded before her once more.
But before she could process the horror fully, the scenery shifted yet again, leaving her utterly confounded. Now, she was with Charles, but the warmth and love she associated with him were absent. He loomed over her, his gaze cold and piercing, a stark contrast to the gentleman she knew.
Fear clenched at her heart as she realized that this was a nightmare within a nightmare, a twisted maze of her darkest fears and memories. Trapped in this surreal and terrifying dreamscape, she yearned for escape, for the safety of reality, where she could find solace in the arms of her love once more.
In the nightmarish dream, Charles's demeanor had shifted dramatically. He pinned Alexandra against the wall, his grip unyielding and threatening. His whispered words sent a shiver down her spine.
"You've been so good for me, my little flower."
Panic surged through her, and she struggled desperately against his overpowering hold.
As he began to take the nightmare to a darker, more terrifying place, Alexandra fought with all her strength to break free, her fear and desperation mounting as his hands began trailing all over her body, hurting her just like Jackson had.
But just as the nightmare threatened to consume her entirely, she was jolted awake. Her screams tore through the hotel room, her heart pounding wildly in her chest. Disoriented and drenched in sweat, she gasped for breath, realizing with immense relief that it had all been a terrifying dream.
As Alexandra's screams pierced the quiet of their hotel room, Charles was jolted awake, his heart pounding with alarm. In the dim light, he watched in concern as she scrambled out of bed and rushed into the bathroom. Fear gripped him, and he moved quickly to follow her, driven by an instinct to comfort and protect her.
But as he reached the bathroom door, his frown deepened. It was locked, and he could hear Alexandra inside, her distress intensifying with each passing second. The sounds of her panic, her tears, and her retching filled the air, and Charles felt a gnawing helplessness wash over him.
"Alexandra," he called out, his voice laced with worry. "Open the door."
He spoke gently but urgently, his heart aching as he longed to be by her side, to hold her and offer her the comfort and support she needed in this moment of crisis.
"Stay away from me, Jackson!" she shrieked.
The name she called him struck him like a blow, and his heart ached with the pain of her distress. He knew that she was trapped in the aftermath of her terrifying dream, struggling to distinguish between the nightmare and reality. With a heavy heart, Charles tried to calm her, his voice trembling with concern.
"Mon Ange, it's not Jackson...it's Charles." he implored, his words gentle but urgent. "It was just a dream, love. You're safe now, I promise. Please, unlock the door. Let me in so I can hold you, so I can help you through this."
He could hear her breathing quicken, the sound of her tears and her distress breaking his heart. He continued to plead with her, his voice filled with love and desperation, as he longed to reach her and offer the comfort and security she needed in this moment of profound vulnerability.
In his frantic desperation to help Alexandra, Charles reached for his phone and dialed Lewis's number, the only person who shared the weight of this dark secret with him. As the phone rang, he felt a surge of relief when Lewis answered, even if it was in a groggy state.
"Charles?"
"It's Lexi, please, come quick."
There was no time to waste. Lewis, recognizing the urgency in Charles's voice, sprang out of bed and rushed to their room.
Charles unlocked the door and let Lewis in, his face etched with concern as he briefed his friend about what had transpired. Lewis nodded gravely, understanding the gravity of the situation. He approached the bathroom door and began to knock gently, his soothing voice reaching out to Alexandra as he tried to calm her down.
"Lexi," Lewis continued, his voice unwavering and full of compassion, "we're right here with you. Whatever you saw in your dream, it's not real. You're safe, and you're loved. Charles and I are here to protect you."
Inside the bathroom, Alexandra's panic slowly began to ebb as she heard the comforting voices of Charles and Lewis. However, she was still overwhelmed by fear and confusion.
"Please, Lexi," Charles added, his voice laced with concern, "we need to make sure you're okay. Open the door, Amor. We're here for you."
They both maintained a soothing and patient tone, trying to provide the support she desperately needed to overcome the terror that had gripped her.
Lewis continued to speak in soothing tones, his voice laced with concern as he tried to calm Alexandra. "You're stronger than any nightmare, Lexi. Remember where you are, here in Bahrain, with Charles and me. You're safe, and we won't let anything harm you. Please, open the door when you're ready."
Inside the bathroom, Alexandra was still struggling with the residual fear from her dream. Her breaths were rapid and shallow, and she was trying to process the disorienting transition from the nightmare to reality. She finally managed to croak out a response, her voice trembling. "I... I can't. It's... It's him."
Charles stood nearby, his heart aching as he listened to her. He whispered words of comfort through the door. "Lexi, love, it's not him. He can't hurt you. We're here to protect you. Please, unlock the door."
Lewis, on the other side of the door, continued to offer support. "We're right here with you, Lexi. You're not alone. You've got Charles and me. We won't let anything happen to you. Just take your time."
Lewis pulled Charles away from the bathroom door, concern etched on his face. He whispered, "I haven't seen her have a nightmare this bad in years, Charles."
Charles nodded, his worry evident. He asked, "What should we do, Lewis?"
Lewis sighed deeply and replied in hushed tones, "There's nothing we can do but wait it out, mate."
They stood outside the bathroom, their anxiety palpable in the silence that enveloped them. Lewis leaned against the hotel room doorframe, occasionally checking his watch and casting concerned glances at Charles.
Charles, however, couldn't bear to tear his gaze away from the locked bathroom door. He replayed the nightmare in his mind, the vivid terror in Alexandra's eyes when she'd screamed "Jackson." He knew the name well, for it was the embodiment of her deepest fears and past trauma.
Minutes felt like hours as they waited. Charles wished he could do more, that he could erase the pain etched into Alexandra's past. He thought about all the progress they had made, the healing that had taken place since she'd come into his life. But moments like these reminded him that the scars ran deep.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they heard the sound of the lock being turned. The bathroom door creaked open slowly, and Alexandra stood there, her eyes puffy and red from crying. She looked worn and fragile, but she was back in the present moment.
Charles rushed to her side, wrapping her in a tight embrace. Lewis offered a warm smile and a reassuring pat on her back. In the aftermath of the nightmare, they were determined to surround her with love and support, helping her navigate the storms of her past that occasionally resurfaced.
As they hugged her, Alexandra's tears flowed freely, and she apologized through her sobs. Charles held her close and gently reassured her, "You have nothing to apologize for, Lexi. It was just a dream, okay?"
Lewis, concerned, asked softly, "Lexi, what did you dream about?"
Her face contorted with inner turmoil, and she retreated further into her shell, refusing to speak. Lewis sighed and told her with a hint of frustration, "Lexi, I thought we were past this. You know you can talk to me about anything."
She whispered, barely audible, "I know."
Charles, not understanding fully, asked, "Lexi, why did you run away from me?"
The words choked in her throat as she cried harder, and she managed to stammer out, "Because... in my dream, it was you... You were the one hurting me, not Jackson."
Charles and Lewis fell silent, their shock palpable.
In the dimly lit bathroom, Charles held Alexandra tightly, his voice steady and filled with sincerity, "Amor, I would never, ever hurt you. You mean the world to me, and I'd do anything to protect you."
Lewis, standing beside them, chimed in, "He's right, Lexa. We all love you and we're here for you. You don't have to go through this alone."
Tears streamed down Alexandra's cheeks as she clung to Charles, her voice shaky as she admitted, "I... I think I was having nightmares again because of that blog."
Charles stroked her hair soothingly, "Hey, Lexi, you don't have to worry about that. Nobody is going to blame or judge you for what happened. We'll protect you, no matter what. I love you, Mon Ange."
"I love you, Mon Amor."
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As the drivers gathered for breakfast, a somber atmosphere hung over the table. Alexandra sat between Charles and Lewis, her demeanor noticeably changed, her face pale and her eyes puffy from what appeared to be a lack of sleep. The others at the table exchanged concerned glances but wisely chose to remain silent, each consumed by their own thoughts as they picked at their food.
Charles kept a close eye on Alexandra, his concern evident in the way he watched her play with her food, her appetite seemingly absent. He prepared to speak to her, to inquire about what was troubling her so deeply, when she abruptly stood from her seat, her hand trembling as she pushed her plate away. With a hasty excuse, she left the table, her movements marked by an air of unease.
Max, who was sitting across from Charles, noticed his friend's unease. He grabbed Charles's arm as the Monegasque stood to follow her. "I've got this," he said softly. Charles hesitated but nodded, and Lewis shrugged in agreement. They watched Max leave after Alexandra, and Charles slumped back in his seat, running a hand through his hair.
As Charles returned to his seat and wearily rested his head in his hands, the rest of the group couldn't contain their curiosity any longer. Concerned glances were exchanged as they observed not only Alexandra's sudden departure but also the visible signs of exhaustion in both Charles and Lewis.
Daniel, ever the diplomat, cleared his throat and leaned forward, breaking the tense silence that had enveloped the table. "Hey, guys," he began cautiously, "everything okay? You all look like you haven't slept a wink."
As the group watched Charles and Lewis exchange that worried glance, Carlos couldn't help but voice his concerns. He turned to them and asked directly, "Is Alexandra struggling again?"
The question hung in the air, the group collectively holding their breath, waiting for an explanation. After a brief, heavy silence, Lewis finally spoke up, his voice filled with concern. "Yeah," he admitted, "she had a nightmare last night, a really bad one."
The revelation left the group in a somber mood, and they couldn't help but feel the weight of the situation, even without knowing the details. Charles, still looking visibly concerned, interjected softly, "But she'll be okay. We're handling it."
Though the group respected their friends' privacy and didn't press for more information, their collective concern for Alexandra was palpable. They exchanged glances, silently conveying their support and readiness to help in any way they could, whenever Charles and Lewis were ready to share the burden of their worries.
As breakfast continued, the conversation remained subdued, a mix of understanding and worry lingering among the friends as they rallied around Charles and Lewis, hoping for the best for Alexandra.
"You sure?"
"Yeah, It's Lexi."
"She'll be fine."
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Authors Note: Did anyone else have a heart attack watching the race yesterday?
And what is it with these ferrari boys and chasing thieves?