'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough

Despite having not seen or heard from his family in nearly twenty years, Beau was never quite able to shake the nightmares left behind from their neglect. The feeling of inadequacy fueled his rage, and the distinct loneliness haunted his dreams. They were always some variant of the same: an abandoned orphan he could never save, a small animal destined to be crushed by an incoming stampede. The nightmares always ended the same, too: him, surrounded by the carnage of his mistakes.

There was always blood dripping from his fists.

Sleep hadn't come easily to Beau tonight. The Christmas holiday was fast approaching and with it all the added thoughts of what family holidays should've been. Even with Eavan's warm frame snug against him he hadn't drifted off until well into the night. The nightmares began immediately, building in intensity until he was soaked in sweat and mumbling incoherently in his sleep.