A Much Needed Hero

Chapter 20: Happily Ever After

 [Zelda]

Zelda ran down long hallways and corridors, but each resulted in a dead-end.

"You can run, Zelda, but you can't hide."

She stifled a sob and kept running. A door appeared on her right, she tried the handle and sighed in relief as the door swung open. She ran in and closed the door behind her. Hopefully, she would be safe in here.

"Your blood will stain the carpet just like your mothers!"

Zelda covered her mouth, willing her breathing to calm down.

The door flew open and a grotesquely large man walked in. He resembled Ganondorf in many ways but was twice as large and his skin seemed to be made of glowing goo.

"You thought you could run from me," He approached her, pulling out a gun. "You can never escape me, Zelda. Never."

Zelda stumbled back, terror coursing through her veins.

"Help!" She cried. "HELP! Link!"

The man was now mere inches away from her. "He won't be able to save you this time. This time you're all mine."

The man pulled the trigger.

Zelda awoke screaming. She was doused in sweat and her now almost healed gunshot wound ached.

"Link!" Zelda sat up, still trying to tell reality from her nightmare. "Link, help me!"

The door to her room burst open and Link stood there, outlined by the hallway light. His hair was messy from sleep and his pajamas ruffled.

Zelda's breathing was frantic and she felt like an enormous weight was crushing her down.

"I'm here, don't worry." Link sat next to her on the bed, wrapping his arm around her. "You're safe. It was just another nightmare. You're safe."

Zelda leaned into him, crying.

Link rubbed her arm. "You're safe. I'm here now. I promise I won't let anything bad happen to you. I'll keep you safe."

Zelda nodded, unable to talk through her sobs. Her nightmares had been getting better, but with the verdict of the trial a few days away they had gotten exponentially worse.

"It was just a nightmare." Link whispered, kissing the top of her head. "It wasn't real."

"Will they ever g-go away?" She choked out.

Link pulled her closer. "It's only been a few months Zelda. You need to be patient with yourself. You've come so far, but this recovery--both physically and emotionally--will take time."

Link was right. Zelda's recovery had been going as smoothly as could be expected. After her two-week hospital stay, she had decided to stay at Link's house until she had recovered. Zelda had talked it over with Calla, the doctors, and her father before making the decision. Her father wasn't too happy about it, but he couldn't deny that it was what was best for Zelda.

Thanks to Calla's care and Link's never-ending support she was doing exceptionally well. Her wound was healed and most of her strength had returned. The obstacle she was struggling with most was the mental and emotional aspects of her injury. Loud noises made her jumpy and she was often plagued by nightmares. But, like usual, Link was always there to give her a comforting hug or hand squeeze or even to calm her down when she was having a panic attack. The first month had been the most difficult, but she was getting better every day.