After Vanessa had been released from the hospital, the two of you got to work on getting things back to normal, the way they'd been before everything at Freddy's. Except now, it was all the more obvious what kind of effect the whole ordeal had had on her.

Vanessa, usually strong and independent, was left vulnerable and fragile. As if the poor woman hadn't been through enough, now she had to deal with the additional struggle of recovering from her father stabbing her. And not just physically recovering, either.

You worked on getting past the mental scars that William had left on Vanessa, as well as the fact that he was dead. It was difficult; you took it day by day. Some days, she'd be alright. Others, her face turned white at the sight of you cutting food for dinner. But you were working on it.

Alongside the struggles while she was awake, Vanessa's traumas found their way into her sleep, penetrating her dreams. She'd wake up in cold sweats, panicking and gasping for breath.

Tonight was one of those nights. You were fast asleep beside Vanessa, until the blonde started tossing and turning next to you. You sat up, rubbing your bleary eyes as you glanced at Vanessa. She wore an expression of clear distress, her head whipping from side to side as she murmured in her sleep.

"Don't... No.."

Moments later, the blonde gasped sharply, sitting bolt up right in the bed beside you, a hand loosely held around her neck. Her eyes were wide, pupils dilated with fear and panic. After a moment, she looks at you, huffing out a shaky breath.

"Sorry.."

Vanessa murmured, raising a lightly trembling hand to rub her temples as she tried to collect herself.