We lie together like this, entwined in this much-too-small bed, until the pastels on the wall become icy shades of blue. Your gaze falls heavy and out of focus, your breathing reduced to an occasional auditory escape from your lips, subconsciously fighting to remind me that I am not alone. These are the only times that I do not fear the shadows. With the dark comes the dead and the still, the world motionless save for the beating of our hearts and the rush of blood through our veins. Only your arms and this blanket keeping the cold of the night at bay, and the broken hearts of years past safely out of reach.

I never thought I would actually need a legitimate blanket in Australia of all places. So naturally when I got here on day one, I bought a set of sheets and pillowcases for my bed, but not a real blanket. Regretting that decision.

It just figures. One sheet doesn’t keep out the night cold like you would expect. I can’t believe I actually get cold in this country though. Make it stop.

Guess I need to go buy one. Ugh.