Malik - Z.M (Book 1, Malik Series)

31.

Zayn.

I hate to admit, but I wanted her next to me.

I knew how much she struggled with the dark and the only person who could prevent that fear from increasing is myself.

She was in the dark for two months straight and in that dark she endured all things degrading that no female would want to experience.

There's no excuse for her not to be afraid of it

It took her almost two hours to finally fall asleep, only for her to shift and stir as her nightmares start to filter through.

I've had no problem sleeping alone, but I've grown so fond of having her next to me now.

Pushing my blankets off, I stand to my feet and walk around towards her after turning the light on.

Bending down, I grab her shoulders and shake her awake as a mantra of no's spit from her mouth.

"Alissa!"

"I can't kill him." She murmurs silently.

I frown.

"Alissa. Wake up!" I shake her lightly as her eyebrows furrow in fear. "Alissa!"

Her eyes, dark and distracted open suddenly and she sits up so abruptly, I pull away from her to avoid our heads colliding.

"Jesus."

She's panting heavily and looks around confused until her eyes fall back on me.

"You're alright." I reassure quietly.

I hold my hands up suspiciously before grabbing her shoulders and she slowly relaxes before closing her eyes and sighing to herself.

"I- I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake you." She whispers quietly.

"It's fine. I couldn't sleep anyway." I admit.

Alissa nods quietly before laying back down on her makeshift bed.

I bite my lip and sigh quietly as my mind pushes against me.

"You don't have to sleep on here tonight." I murmur.

Alissa shakes her head and buries herself in the blanket.

The mattress itself is so thin, she's basically sleeping on the floor.

I know it's uncomfortable and I know she wouldn't want to sleep on this sorry excuse of a bed.

I look at my bed and pull the duvet back before looking back at Alissa who's ignoring me.

Standing slightly, I slide my hands under her and hoist her up gently before her placing her on my bed.

She frowns at me before sitting up as I climb over to the other side and pull the blankets over me.

"What?" I blink at her.

"Nothing." She shakes her head as I lean over to turn the light off. "I can sleep on the floor-"

"It's fine Alissa." I whisper. "You seem to sleep better next to me."

Alissa doesn't reply.

"Maybe I should get you a night light." I murmur quietly and she giggles, but it's a tiresome laugh.

"I don't like the dark." Alissa whispers.

"I know." I mumble. "You need to learn to accept it. If Hafid does-"

"If?" Alissa repeats.

"We've talked about this." I murmur. "If your sold to him, he won't be like me."