Nightmares

Ray’s nightmares had gotten out of hand. Night after night she woke up in a cold sweat, panting as if she’d run a marathon. Usually she tried to go back to sleep, or would read for a while. But tonight had disturbed her enough she went to seek solace from a friend.

“Nightmares again?” Dorothy asked from her gargoyle's perch.

“Yeah.” Ray sighed. “Mind if I stay here with you awhile?”

“It’s cold tonight, so let’s go inside.” Dorothy rarely showed concern for Ray, but she always appreciated when the mechanical teen did so.

“Ok.” The two went inside. Ray sat on the couch and heaved an exhausted sigh. “If these darn nightmares would just stop I could get a good night's sleep.”

“Perhaps you’re over-stimulated?” Dorothy’s gentle scolding was welcome, if for no other reason than Ray didn’t have to be alone with her thoughts.

Ray snorted in response, “Not likely. If anything I need more stimulation.” Though as to the kind of stimulation she needed… Well Dorothy didn’t need to know that.

Dorothy gave Ray a cold stare, as Ray was not as coy as she thought with such responses. “Would that realistic toy of yours not help with that.”

Ray had to choke back her laughter, she didn’t want to wake Roger up. “If that would help my nightmares go away I assure you I would do it far more often.”

“Would it hurt to try?” Dorothy probed.

“What? Well I guess not, but honestly…” Ray realized she needed to be quiet now. “Nevermind, let’s not go down that road.”

“Honestly what?” Dorothy didn’t seem to want to let that go.

“I’m not sure I should tell you…”

“It’s fine, it is not as if I am not educated about the human body and its needs.”

“Well… it’s just that… recently I’ve been having a little trouble… getting off.” Ray admitted weakly. As close a friend as Dorothy was, Ray was nervous about speaking to her about such matters.

“I see.” Dorothy sat next to Ray, and looked her over closely. “You seem more pale than normal.”

“Uh, lack of sleep isn’t helping.”

“It is not.” Dorothy was silent for a time, considering something before speaking up, “Let us see if there is not a way to get you back to sleep.” Dorothy grabbed Ray's hand and dragged her back to her room.

“Why did you bring me back to my room? I’m not going to be able to sleep again for a while. That last nightmare was too disturbing.” Ray shivered. It was the underground chase dream again, and now the three foreign Bigs’ had joined the chase. Since she hadn’t had that one in a while Ray had hoped she never would again, tonight had dashed those dreams.

Dorothy had intentions of replacing those with sweeter dreams, however. Dorothy gently brushed a lock of Ray’s hair behind her ear. The touch sent shivers down Ray’s spine, but it was a nice tingle kind of shiver, one from an unexpected but welcome touch. Then Dorothy placed a cold hand on Ray’s now exposed cheek. The cold synthetic flesh warmed in contact with Ray’s feverish face. Of course her cheeks burned red from the sudden contact. “Dorothy, what are you doing?”

“Helping you.”

“Uh… how is this helping me?” She was silenced as Dorothy pulled her closer, their lips met. Ray's somewhat rough lips met with perfect synthetic ones…

And she woke up.

“Wah!!!” Ray squawked with surprise. “What the hell was that dream?” Ray felt her cheeks and they were burning from embarrassment. “What is wrong with me? Why would I have a dream like that?”

“Dream like what?” Dorothy peered into the room from the doorway. “Are you alright Ray? I heard you scream.”

“Uh… yeah it was just a weird dream.”

“Maybe you should get off the computer earlier?” Dorothy opined.

“Ok mom!” Ray sassed back.

“I’m no one’s mother. Well, if you’re fine I’ll leave you be.”

“I’m fine Dorothy, really. Just uh, having a few too many nightmares recently.” Dorothy left her alone then, and Ray had a single thought running through her mind. She can never, ever, find out about that dream. She’d kill me… Wonder if I can go back to finish it?

Outside the door, Dorothy held her dress jabot tightly, the other hand against the wall. “Too bad she fainted. I could’ve had more fun teasing her.” At least now she should have sweeter dreams. Too bad the same tactic did not work on Roger.

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