River wakes to something pressing to her nose, an insistent touch against the tip as she detangles from the webbing of her dreams. It smells sharp and strange, and for a moment, she is revolted by the creature that clings to her and shoves its face against hers.
She blinks, staring into a set of white and grey eyes.
The man is as still as water against her face, his lips a hair’s breadth away and billowing warm air on her own mouth.
“You sleep hideously,” the man remarks as she suddenly reels away in defence and terror. Blankets and sheets are strewn all over as River backs against the wall, her heart thundering and trying to escape the creature just as much as her. Cautiously, she regards the man who sits by the edge of the bed.
His eyes remain focused on the indented pillow where she
