miranda's 'family'

Part 13: Comfort

My eyes snapped open, heart thudding in my ears as my chest rose and fell rapidly whilst the pillow was dampened as i sat up with a start. Hair slick to my face push it way, my fingers weaving into the matted mess as my mind whirled with thoughts and the adrenaline was high in my system. Heaving as i leant over, eyes fixated on the sheets that were now tangled and tustled around my feet. The images still fresh in my mind as they are now scorched into my mind. 

I could barely hear the frantic footsteps that bounded down the corridor, the sounds of my breathing and small yell as i woke with a start must have alerted karl. Jumping as the door crashed open, my head snapped to the door as the bright landing light flooded the room making my eyes squint and turn my head away whislt my eyes adjusted.

"what's the matter now!.... A-Are you okay?"

My tears glistened in my eyes as the Karls voice softened, the way his gaze searched my face and that hardened looked slipping away as i clutched at Leah for dear life sniffling as i tried to pull myself together before i spoke. My words were stuttered and jumbled, as they left my trembling lips. He walked slowly, cautiously almost as the bed creaked under his weight and it dipped. 

" I-I had a-a bad d-dream"

"did you now... Huh well--"

Cutting him off, as i felt my chest tighten and that need for comfort to be filled i pratically dived into him arms clinging to him like a life line as i buried my head into his chest and my arms wrapped firmly around him not wanting to let go for a second. There was a second of hesitation, the way his shoulders tensed up and his arms remained frozen before he caved in and his arms encased me in a blanket of warmth and the smell of oil breached my nostils but although it was harsh it was also comforting to me. The gentile rise and fall of his chest, a subtle rumble in his chest as he spoke calmly. his hand rubbing circles into my back helping calm my breathing down. 

"shshshsh it's okay now kiddo"

In one swift movement he pulled me closer, cuddled into him properly as i was sat now on his lap, head burried into the crook of his neck as i held onto him. slight whimpers escaping me as he rocked me and hushed me, his low gruff voice now gentler and more soothing as his hand moved to the back of my head, playing with my hair as he held me close uttering reassurances and calming statements. Slowly, the weight from my chest moved to my eyes as they slowly began to close, my mind becoming blank and vacant as i fall into a dreamless state feeling safer than i have ever done. 

-le time skip-

Shifting in the bed as the morning sun broke through the curtains, a beam of warm light washing over my face causing me to stir and roll over with a groan. my eyes quickly snapped open as i realised i was back in my bed under the covers. confused i looked around, rubbing my eyes as they slowly began to adjust to the light. a dark figure lurked in of of the corners of my room, my stomach knotted as they sat there untill a deep snore came from the figure and i could make out more features. It was uncle Karl, slumped in the corner back against the wall and his hat tipped down covering his eyes. Giggling to myself as he muttered and snored i sat myself up properly and spun my legs so they were hanging off the bed, the air was much cooler than i had expected as i slip out of the bed and creep towards him.

"pssssstttt! Uncle karrrlll"

i stood there as i called out to him gently, my voice barely above a whisper as i tried to wake him without startling him. yet it didnt work all i got was a dismissive grumble and a louder snore. rolling my eyes i cleared my throat 

"UNCLE KARLL"

I raised my voice a little bit to a sing songy drawl to his name and gave him a gentle nudge but again all i got was a dismissive wave and him turning away from me as i stood there looking down at his sprawled figure, the way his clothes were tussled, one knee was up and an arm resing on it as his head leant against the wall now facing away from me. In one last ditch effort i get closer to him and lean into his ear before yelling 

"WAKEY WAKEY UNCLE KARL!"

There was a snort as he jolted awake, hitting his head against the wall and letting out a hiss as i grumbles to himself whilst holding his head and giving a grunt before turning to face me as i gave him a bright smile and an innocent look despite my smile being more of a devious smirk than anything.

"good morning!"

My voice was chipper and kind as i looked at him crouching down and kneeling next to him with my hands in my lap as he shifted his sitting stance and then scratched his chin, rolling his neck out and sighing.

"yeah good morning shit face"

I smiled as he spoke in a deeper tone and rolled his eyes at me causing me to chuckle at him and his respose to being woken up. despite his demenour i there was a gentle warmth just peering through his eyes as he looked over me and i spoke to him again in that overly bright tone like i hadnt just caused him to hit his head on the wall behind him.

"did ya sleep well!?"

"oh i did till you woke me up, little fucker"

he said in that barratone voice and rolled his eyes before reaching out and ruffling my hair, i could tell he didnt hold it against me but i could tell also that he was in a little pain after hitting his head. he shifted his sitting and turned to face me his hand moving to my shoulder and the look of consern was written in the wrinkles of his face as he spoke again, taking a deep breath before he spoke again

"what about you, you had a bad dream last night... You wanna talk about it over breakfast?"

He spoke almost hesitantly about last night, about how i was and what had happened almost like he was afraid of upsetting me. i tilted my head as he squeezed my shoulder and kept eyecontact with me, his eyes searching mine as i knelt there and shrugged.

"i- i dont know"

there was a jitter in my words as i spoke turning away slightly as i composed myself as images flashed in my head again making me wince at the thought of what had happened. letting out a shakey breath i heard Karl speak up. 

"Hey, hey, its okay kiddo... look whatever it was, must have done a number on you and-- and i want you to know im here okay..." 

The way he spoke was clearly unnatural to him, the way he stopped and started, the way he kept looking away and giving muttered and mumbles of curses to himself untill i looked at him with a curious smile and nodding in understanding. He understood, i could tell. the way his whole body was and the way his eyes looked at me, there was that sympathy. clearing his own throat he stood up and brushed his clothes off offering me a hand up before he spoke

"come on then shit face, lets get some grub in ya"

Karl speaks in his usual playful tone as i take his hand and get pulled up, however neither of us let go as we walked out of my room. he looked down at me with a somber smile, squeezing my hand as he opened the door and we walked through it. 

"You're safe here"