Blind Faith Read Online Free Page B

stairs and made his way through the darkened hallway to Serena’s bedroom.  
    Even though the door was partially opened , he hesitated to enter without knocking .  B ut when Serena cried out again, followed by a woeful whimper from Rufus, he pushed it open and stepped inside.   It was too dark to see anything except the vague outline of the bed , and since he couldn’t tell where Rufus was, Will flipped on the light switch to avoid tripping over him.
    Serena was curled into a tight ball in the middle of the bed, cocooned in the sheet which had somehow remained on the bed while the blanket, comforter, and extra pillow had been shoved onto the floor.   Rufus was beside the bed with his head resting over the edge, obviously distraught by the sounds Serena was making as well as his inability to protect his mistress from whatever demons were haunting her.   Two big brown eyes rolled his way when Will approached the bed , but Rufus refused to give up his spot even after Will patted his head in an effort to assure the dog that Serena was okay.
    He wanted to wake her up, to yank her out of the nightmare so it couldn’t torture her for even one more second , but thought better of it.  F inding a man hovering over her would undoubtedly be more traumatic than what was happening to Serena in her dreams.   Will eased himself down onto the edge of the bed and leaned over, crooning in a soft voice as he gently stroked the hand that was clutching at her pillow.   Gradually, the death grip she had on the material began to loosen and after a few stilted breaths, she slowly opened her eyes.
    It took Serena   several minutes to realize the voices in her head were merely remnants of a nightmare , and another couple of minutes before she was conscious of Will’s fingertips lightly caressing the top of her hand.   Strange that something so simple could chase away the fear gnawing at her insides , but it was doing just that.   As much as she wanted to lay here allowing him to comfort her, Serena knew he had classes early in the morning and needed his sleep.
    “I’m fine now,” she said, reluctantly slipping her hand from beneath his so she could sit up.   “I’m sorry if I woke you.”
    “I wasn’t asleep yet , but I wouldn’t have minded anyway.   Does this happen every night?”
    “Not…every night,” she shrugged.
    “But almost, right?”
    “I’ve gotten used to it, and Rufus usually tries to wake me up.”
    At the mention of his name, Rufus lifted his head and eyed her for a moment before curling up on the floor beside her bed.
    Will reached out to wipe away a stray tear that was slowly making its way down the side of her cheek.   “Would it help to talk about it?”
    The kindness in his voice made a lump form in her throat.   “Thanks but I really don’t think it would do any good.”
    “Have you ever talked about them to anyone?   I didn’t think so,” he said when she shook her head.   “Listen, Serena, I realize we hardly know each other but maybe that’s what you need; someone to act as a sounding board so you don’t have to hold it all inside.”
    Oh, how she longed to let it all out , but how could she tell Will, of all people?   “It’s very sweet of you to offer but it’s late and you need your sleep.”
    Will snorted.   “Believe me, I have functioned quite well on much less sleep than I’ll get tonight , and thanks to the peace and quiet I got this evening, I packed in a lot of studying.   Serena…I want to help.”
    “Just knowing you want to help makes me feel better,” she admitted with a shy smile.
    It was amazing what one little smile from Serena could do to his heart.   He remembered that same timid tilt to her lips whenever he passed her in the hallways at school and said hi.   Will grimaced because he also remembered the twinge of guilt that always followed when his buddies ribbed him about having the hots for Serena Cross.   He’d laugh ed along with them , as if it