For Fear of Nightmares

[notrosesshadow]

Who: Martha and Open
When: Day 104
Where: Around the Island
What: Martha is not sleeping much at all. It's going to catch up.
Note: None for now...

Martha took a sip of water to sooth her throat, and crawled out her window yet again. She doubted her roommate would notice, but still, it was easier to just leave.

The latest nightmare had been really difficult. She had relived Japan again, but this time she saw it from The Valiant. A last look before her own execution. Her screams woke her before he could kill her, but she was shaken.

The sleepless nights were starting to catch up to her. She was trying to eat, but she was too exhausted to even feel hungry. And all possible exertion had to be saved for clinic duties. And helping people from the sea monster attack. So a few nibbles of crackers here and some canned something or other there was how she nourished herself. Ned would not be pleased.

If she were honest with herself, Martha knew she had to sleep. Had to deal with it. But the nightmares... she couldn't keep facing them. She'd rather die than be forced to watch Japan burn again. Or any of the other things she kept reliving. And so Martha walked through the night, hoping to find distraction until morning.

Comments

[notrosesshadow]

"Best leave the few that are asleep sleeping," Martha agrees. She's run into so many people tonight though, she's impressed there are those who are unconscious.

"Teaching is just as noble," she counters. "I have plenty of respect for teachers. I wouldn't be able to do it. And I will always respect those who follow the performing arts. It always looked like so much fun."

[bluesrat]

Rat gives a gentle smile, much more relaxed now than the first time she met him. "I don't know about noble, but I like kids, and I liked watching them discover music. Art isn't just about performing, it's about self-expression and connecting with people on a level you can't any other way."

[notrosesshadow]

She smiles as he says it, but Martha's thoughts are far away. She's remembering a particular cave in the United States. There was a small band there and they played music. Plenty of folk music. Martha had sung along to the ones she knew and listened when she didn't. She had danced. It had almost felt like home...

A few days after moving on, she found out the Master had executed them all. Him and his blasted Spheres.

Shaking herself out of her memory, Martha clears her throat and tries to keep her voice light. "It helps people... forget momentarily. Forget their situation..."

The words aren't coming out right and she falls silent before she says more than she wants to.

[bluesrat]

The friendly smile fades into a look of concern. Rat's noticed the shift in mood, some subtle clues in her face. "That's just what the blues are all about. Forgetting your troubles... or at least sharing them. You okay?" He reaches a hand to rub her shoulder gently, fatherly.

[notrosesshadow]

His touch is unexpected, but not unwelcome. After a brief moment of tension, she relaxes into it. But she nods at his question and forces a smile.

"Fine. Just blindsided by a memory. It'll pass."

[bluesrat]

He gives her a gentle smile, and rubs her shoulder a moment more before letting his hand drop away. Rat doesn't want the gesture to be taken the wrong way, but everyone in this place seems so badly in need of a little extra reassurance. "I know the feeling. If you ever need a friendly ear, don't hesitate to ask?"

[notrosesshadow]

Martha hesitates before nodding. "Thank you Marcus. I'll keep that in mind."

She won't take him up on the offer though. Not yet. There are certain things you just don't share with someone you've met only twice. Especially when one of those meetings was as his doctor. But she would keep it in mind.

[bluesrat]

He's not going to pry, but he does mean the offer. "You should come by the bar sometime... Ellen lets me play the blues there. Sometimes a good song and some quiet company helps." Rat looks out into the night, and leans against the porch railing comfortably. Possibly he should go back to bed shortly.

[notrosesshadow]

"I'll definitely drop by," she replied with a small smile.

Martha watched him lean against the porch rail and finally stood up. "I think it's about time I made my way back to my house and you got some sleep. Thank you..."

[bluesrat]

"You try to get some sleep too, okay?" He gives her a friendly, if sleepy smile.

[notrosesshadow]

“Of course,” Martha replied. She gave him a small wave and then continued up the path.