It's dark and harsh and painful and downright terrifying.
There's a shadow looming over him, heavy and threatening and inching closer and closer. He shuts his eyes, squeezing his lids together so tightly and pushing his fists against them so hard he see's shapes floating in the darkness.

He can feel the shadow creeping over him where he lies on the cold ground, sweeping so slowly over his feet and up his legs. He knows he should run but he can't. He's paralysed by the fear and all he can do is murmer the same words over and over into the blackness.

"Save me. Please save me. Please save me."

He shivers as the shadow works it's way up his stomach, his arms, his chest. He gasps as a an icy hand rests on his cheek, hard and heavy and rough. The shock forces his eyes open and his breath abandons him as he meets the face hovering above his own. The eyes are so dark, so full of a pain so strong it's violent and he knows he's the one who will feel it's impact.

The hand slides slowly, menacingly down to his neck and he chokes on his breath as he gasps at the weight of it, the strong fingers curled around his pale neck. The thumb pressing on his adam's apple.

All the while he can't tear his eyes from the ones above him. It's a sick, cruel need. Like watching the spider in the corner, afraid of what if would do should you surrender your gaze. But this is much worse. This is so much worse.

So he stares into those eyes. He see's all the fear and the pain and the anger and he knows he's powerless. That eyes that hold that much destructive emotion have no limitations when it comes to the hurt they can cause.

The eyes close and the face moves closer and his murmering turns to screaming.

"Save me, please. Save me. Please. Please. Save me. Please."

There's another hand. A warm hand. Smaller and softer.

Stronger than the hand gripping his neck.

It slips into his hand and tangles through his fingers and squeezes gently, reassuringly.

The weight on his neck vanishes.

The darkness clears.

Warmth washes over him.

He opens his eyes and sees another pair looking directly into his. Not the lost, disturbed glare that had been there only an instant before but a warm, encouraging gaze from sparkling hazel eyes. His heart leaps in his chest and just as he returns the smile beaming through those dazzling eyes-

He wakes up.

And the dream fades into the back of his mind.

But all throughout the day, during every class and conversation and song, an image keeps finding it's way into his thoughts. Like a distant memory or a half forgotten dream.

A pair of beautiful eyes, full of love and care and hope and promise.

He doesn't know where, or even if, he's seen them before. But through the taunts and jeers and insults he enjures that day, he can't help but smile.