Eclipsed

Chapter 9

I stand in front of a closed door. Aidan stands beside me, urging me to go inside. I twist the doorknob and find a room completely obscured by darkness. 

"I'm scared of the dark, Aidan. I can't go in." 

But he motions me to enter the room.
"I'll be your light." He coaxes.

I jump when the door closes and find Aidan nowhere. I stay rooted to my spot until something approaches me; a pair of red lights. As they come closer, I take in Aidan's figure and his eyes are bright red. 

I jostle awake with a pant. I pat my sweaty forehead. Sitting up, my throat makes me aware of the parchedness that it is. The room is dimly lit by the lamp above the headboard and that is when I take note of my surroundings. This is not my room. I scramble out of the soft mattress, the covers still tangled around my legs. Before I lose control, strong hands steady my body. Only one person can give rise to the familiar flutter in my stomach. 

"Careful." He grumbles beneath his breath. 

That is all it took for me to cling to his body. I fist my hands around his t-shirt in urgency, holding on, as if he will disappear at any moment. My tears fall freely and stain his clothes when his arms encapsulate me tightly. He kisses my hair and breathes in. I weep until my sobs turn into whimpers until I am completely silent. Steading my breaths, I pull away from him and look into his eyes which are darkened with rage yet grief. It is not red though. Did I imagine the colour then? He sits me on the edge of the bed and I gulp down the water which he hands me. Even in the faint glow of the golden light, I can clearly see his hardened face. 

"Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" He speaks softly with concern as he puts his forehead against mine. 

I squeeze my eyes shut as I remember the events of that evening. My eyes glisten with tears and I shake my head in negative. 

"They almost did, hadn't you come in time." I assure him, my voice strangled.
"Thank you for saving me." 

Aidan kisses my forehead and kisses away all my tears. For the first time, his eyes are hooded. His forehead has creases of worry. 

"Are you fine?" I ask him, sensing trouble. 

His eyes ferret on mine, searching for something, brows knitted in a frown. He ignores my question.

"You need to eat. Come." I can't argue. I need food to regain my energy.

"Where are we?" I ask while Aidan guides me out of the room into a hallway, opening to a huge marble staircase. 

"My house." 

My eyes widen while descending the white granite staircase. The walls are of the purest white. The sofa set in front of me seems to be velvety grey with a big TV set in front of it. Before I can admire the living area further, Aidan makes me turn and drags me across the room, where a modernly furnished kitchen stands proudly. An 8 seater dining table faces the kitchen. The area is closed by glass doors that open to an enormous garden embellished by the moonlight. Aidan again takes my hand and sits me on the kitchen island where a hot bowl of soup and bread awaits me. My stomach growls in response to the aroma of herbs. I dig into my food and I drink the glass of juice. Satisfied, I lean back in my chair. Aidan watches me with interest. He has been silent the whole time. Sensing my hunger is doused, he fires his interrogation. 

"Why were you at the bus stop so late?" He questions. 

I sigh before answering.
"My mom was-" I begin but stop.
"Does she-?" 

"She knows you're here. But she doesn't know what happened. I thought it'd be better if you told her yourself." He states. 

"Thank you." 
I am grateful that Aidan did not tell her anything. I want my mom to know everything from me. I don't want to hide anything from her. Parents ought to know about anything of this magnitude that happens in their child's life.