Safe

It was 9 at night, Izzy was sitting in her bed which was located within her little hideout somewhere within the forest near the lightfoot's home. The little imp was feeling a bit anxious, having bad memories fill her head with all sorts of negative things. She tries hard to forget about all the bad that's happened in her past but it's far harder than anyone might expect. She tried hard to calm down she really did, but no matter what it seemed like her fast heart beat wasn't going to ease any time soon, nor her heavy and rapid breathing. She was trying to hold in tears, a fight with her eyes in which she was losing to. She then remembered her boyfriend Barley, he made her promise to him to always contact him whenever she gets like this. Izzy didn't want to bother him this late of the night, although it was only 9 and Barley tends to stay up incredibly late anyway.

The imp finally caved and picked up her phone, texting her boyfriend while sniffling.

'Hey Barley, sorry to bother you I'm just not really feeling well.' Izzy typed before hitting send.

It was only within a matter of seconds before Barley replied. 'What's wrong my dear sweet princess?' He asked.

The imp took in a deep breath, she had developed a bit of a fear of venting to others, even doctors and psychiatrists at this point. She had so many people give up on her, even claim that she was making things up for mere attention. However as much as she tries her hardest to act, even she slips up sometimes and gets caught. The elf was very very insistent that she should be open with him however, even a bit stern as he made her swear she would be honest with him. He was worried for her, protective even as Barley had developed a fear himself of losing loved ones, even just seeing them in pain is enough to make him do all sorts of rash things in order to make sure they're alright. 'It's nothing, Barley boo, don't worry about it. I'm just having an episode where I get those flashbacks again is all. I'm ok though, nothing happened or anything.' She typed, sniffling still as she hit send.

It was then that Barley hit her with a rather shocking message. 'Fear not, I'm coming over.' He said.

Izzy's eyes widen as she stares at the text. She typed as fast as she could in hopes he didn't already head outside. 'No Barley! It's dangerous to wonder around at night! I'm fine just stay home ok?' She typed, getting more paranoid with each second. Izzy had grown to be highly cautious as soon as the sun goes down, knowing plenty of shady folks wonder about around that time. Although it was only 9 and there were still plenty of people out and about, Izzy was still scared.

However Izzy didn't get any sort of response, not for a full five minutes. The imp started to get more and more worried when suddenly she heard a knock from her door. "Hey, Iz! I'm here." He called out.

Izzy felt a wave of relief brush over her, however she still had to be sure it was him. She peeked outside to see a familiar silhouette of a rather tall and chubby elf. She can see his face within the dim lighting coming from her windows. It definitely looked exactly like him but she still had to be sure. "Do you know my favourite colour?" She asked.

The elf suddenly began to smile eagerly. "Ah I see, I need to answer some questions to get past ey? Y'know this is a tactic that was used all the time in the olden days! Pretty cool right? But anyway I know the answer to this one, it's-"

Barley was eager to answer but the door opened before he could. "Ok, I know it's you now." She said.

Barley pouted a bit as he looked down at his short girlfriend. "You didn't even lemme finish." He stares down at her face to see she really wasn't feeling well, her eyes were all red from crying, her lashes were wet with tears. She wasn't smiling, not one little bit. Barley's face quickly changed, his once childish pout was replaced by a look of heartache and concern. With careful arms, he picked up his little princess and carried her inside, being sure the door was closed and locked behind them. "Hey...it's ok..." he said softly. The imp was a bit shocked to be picked up so suddenly. He held her close to his body, making her feel warm and safe in his arms. "Shhh..."