Her uneven breathing filled the air. Her stare was blank. The only image filling her mind was of him standing there; bruises across his face. A smug look on his lips as the police took his picture.



Suddenly, as lightning flashed, words filled her mind with another image.



”I have to believe that or I won’t make it back,” the words echoed. He stood there, in the army uniform, with his hands on the actress’ face. He looked so broken, so sad.



The images disappeared & Nicole curled into a ball. No, she couldn’t sleep. She knew she wouldn’t be able to until she knew he was ok. She had to find him.



Her heart pounded as she stumbled out of bed, barely remembering her crutches. She never noticed the man who was sleeping next to her.



“He was working. I’ll check the studio & then Trace’s,” she mumbled.



Justin, who had just fallen asleep after a late night of recording, jolted at the sound of glass breaking. He rolled over & saw Nicole’s glass of water shattered on the floor. Her side of the bed was empty too. Worried that she hurt herself, he jumped up.



He heard her talking to herself from down the hall. Usually, he’d let it go but it sounded like she was crying & bumping into things in the dark. He knew she didn’t like storms & would need some comfort.



Following Nicole, Justin sped up realizing she was going for the front door. If she was sleep walking, she could hurt herself outside. Especially being barefoot. He caught her around the waist & shut the door.



“Whoa, Nicole! Wake up!” he called.



“Have to find him, have to find him,” she said. She didn’t even realize he’d grabbed her. Then she gasped again as another image plagued her.



Watching Nicole slip out of his grasp & sit on the couch, Justin asked, “find who, Nic?”



As if the young woman didn’t hear him, she brought her knees up & started shaking. She rocked back & forth, trying to stabilize her breathing. The more lost she became, the harder it was to breathe.



Justin was really scared at this point. Was she trapped in a nightmare or something else? What shook her up so bad?

Nicole’s breathing got so labored, Justin thought she would pass out. He kneeled in front of her, gently laying a hand on her neck. Her pulse was too quick & her eyes glossy, looked straight ahead. Not acknowledging his presence.

“Nicole, talk to me. What are you talking about? Who do you have to find?”

“He’s so scared, so weak. How can someone do that to him?” she asked not even answering him.

The young man sighed in frustration but one of her ramblings got his attention.

“No, Ronnie, no...don’t pick up the gun...,” she sobbed. “William, why’d they hurt you?”

'Who’s William?' Justin thought. He looked around the room for clues & saw his William Rast coat on the chair. 'She must’ve saw the segment we shot with the mugshots. And Ronnie must be...from Black Snake Moan. Damn! I knew she’d be scared of that.’

He now knew how to calm down his terrified girlfriend. He ran to the kitchen & got a cup of water. Then he turned on the lights but kept them dim. He then sat next to her, lightly rubbing her back, trying to draw her out of the daze.

“Baby, listen to me. It’s ok, everything’s alright now. You don’t have to be scared anymore.” When she didn't respond, he layed his arms around her and sang her favorite tune to calm her fears.

Can this be true?
Tell me, can this be real?
How can I put into words what I feel?
My life was complete
I thought I was whole
Why do I feel like I'm losing control?
I never thought that love could feel like this
and you've changed my world with just one kiss.
How can it be that right here with me
there's an angel?
It's a miracle...
Your love is like a river
Peaceful and deep
Your soul is like a secret
That I never could keep
When I look into your eyes
I know that it's true
God must have spent...
A little more time
On you...
(A little more time, yes he did baby)