darling | a lore story

ten

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Chapter 10. Stockholm Syndrome

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Matilda sat on the window sill, her legs dangling over the ledge as she continued to think about the situation she was in.

That night, Matilda didn't realize she had fallen asleep. And as she woke up from a dreamless sleep, she realized that she was on the bed. She sat up in shock and looked around but her surprising visitor had been long gone.

And as she stood up, she realized that there was a note on the nightstand. The same note that she had in her hands as she studied the field that surrounded the base.

She sighed and looked down to read the note.

Darling,

Thank you for not leaving me on the floor. I apologize for showing up drunk, I didn't mean to. Thank you for not taking off my mask, despite you could have. I had moved you to the bed, the position you were in didn't seem comfortable. Don't worry though, I left when I moved you. I did not want to cross any boundaries.

Breakfast will be served when you awake. You can join us and meet the others or George will be happy to give you your breakfast. Either way, good morning Miss Darling.

-Dream

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Matilda could not comprehend what she felt when she first read the note. It was sincere and she was thankful.

She didn't know. Her morals and beliefs tell her to not believe in anything he says and yet she was still there.

Dream and George said she could leave any time she wanted but she stayed. And she could not understand why. There was this feeling of not being hidden from him.

Despite being confined to the walls of her room, she didn't feel locked up like she was L'Manburg. It felt as though she can do something but she just chose to stay inside.

Choice. That's what it was. With Dream, she was given a choice, every day and despite not fully trusting him she felt as though if she did return the situation that she was in when she was still in L'Manburg would worsen.

Don't get her wrong, she misses home. She misses Tubbo and his bees, mining with Tommy, cooking with Niki and Tina, gardening with Hannah and Fundy, hunting with Techno and Phil, and most importantly she missed Wilbur.

She missed him and his quirky corny jokes, his songs, and his hugs. Matilda missed home but she felt as though if she left she would miss the chance of choosing.

She adored L'Manburg with all of her heart but, Dream was giving her something that Wilbur hasn't been giving for so long.

Her thoughts were interrupted when someone lightly knocked on the door and it opened. She looked back to see George peeking in.

His glasses were placed on his head and he wore a warm smile. "Hey there." He said. She smiled back and hummed, "Yeah?" she asked as she turned her body back to the room and hopped off the sill.

"You up for breakfast?" George asked as she pursed her lips. He waited for an answer but offered her reassurance, "Or I could just get you some-" "I would like to join you today." She cut him off.

George smiled at her and nodded, "Alright then. Whenever you're ready. I'll be waiting outside." He said before walking out to give her some privacy.

Matilda let out a sigh and nodded to herself. "Alright then. Let's do this." She mumbled as she got ready for breakfast.