Terror and Reprieve

Terror and Reprieve (a Short Story Contest entry by Shelly Rzewuski) 

On the morning after the day everything changed, I woke up before my alarm. I let the steady waves of panic wash over me as I took deep breaths and realized I wouldn't fall back asleep. I told myself that everything would be OK and I wondered how I'd make myself believe it. Then you brushed against me and I looked over at your peaceful, sleeping face. Just like that, I believed it.