Page 25 of The Bull's Head

Teddy nearly fell off the bed when the screaming started. He’d never heard a sound like that in his life. Callum lay on the bed, thrashing, scrabbling as if he was trying to escape some demon. Teddy put a hand on Callum’s chest, holding him in place, but Callum struggled against it.

“Callum, wake up.”

Still, he continued to scream. Big, fat tears streamed down his cheeks, pooling on the pillow. Teddy had no idea what to do. He grabbed his phone and tapped Mal’s contact.

“I need Dr. Hamilton in my room right away!”

“What’s wrong?” Mal asked, the concern in his voice obvious.

“Something’s going on with Callum. I can’t get him to wake up.”

If Mal said anything, Teddy didn’t know. Callum’s voice continued to rise, the shrieks getting louder and louder. Teddy lay atop Callum, trying to keep him from hurting himself. When the door opened, four people rushed into the room. Mal lifted Teddy off Callum as if he weighed nothing. Dr. Hamilton stood over Callum, lifting his eyelid and flashing a light in it, then using her stethoscope to listen to his heart.

“Callum? Callum, can you hear me?” She shook him. “Goddamn it, wake the fuck up!” she cried.

“What can we do?” Mal asked.

“I’m not a fucking people doctor!” she snapped. “I’m not sure what I can do without hurting him.”

Teddy pushed his way in, moving Dr. Hamilton aside as gently as possible. He put his mouth next to Callum’s ear. “I need you to wake up, Cal. Come back to us. Listen and follow the sound of my voice.”

Beneath the lids, Callum’s eyes were darting back and forth. He lashed out, but Teddy caught his hand and held it between his.

“Hear my voice, Cal? Hear me calling you? Come on, wake up.”

“Teddy…” came a croaked whisper.

“Yes, that’s it. Come back to us.”

Callum’s eyes flew open as he lurched up. “Teddy! Teddy, help me!”

Teddy wrapped his arms around Callum and pulled him tight to his body. “I’m here, right beside you.”

“I killed him! I killed Cooper!”

Teddy petted Callum’s sweat-drenched hair. “No, you didn’t. Hyde did that.”

“No! He said it was my fault.”

“It’s just a nightmare. You’re safe with me.”

Around him there were murmurs, but Teddy ignored them, his entire focus on Callum. “Cal, are you with me?”

He turned his head slowly toward Teddy’s voice. “Teddy?”

“Yeah, I’m right here.” He dragged Callum’s hand to his chest. “Feel my heart? I’m right beside you.”

“It was so real. I could see him. Smell him.”

“You’re okay now. You’re here with me.” He turned to Mal. “Could you get me a hot cocoa from somewhere?”

“I got it,” Alp said, slipping out of the room.

“How’d you know I like cocoa?” Callum asked.

“You love chocolate, like me, right?”

He nodded, then clutched Teddy’s arm and peered up at him, terror in his expression. “I’m afraid.”

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