Learning To Love (Taylor's Version)

Nightmares & Sleepless Nights

⚠️This chapter contains triggering content such as violence (shooting),mentions of blood, and mentions of death. Only read if you're okay with the mentions of those that have been listed.⚠️

Summary (for those who decide to skip reading this chapter): River gets a flashback about how she lost her parents, which results in her not being able to go back to bed. She ends up being late to work.

⚠️(River's Version):⚠️

"Mom, mom, mom! Let's go eat, I'm hungry," I whine, tugging at my mom's sleeve.

Just as she was about to respond, we heard a loud bang. People started to scamper into shops and try to find exits.

"Justin, what is going on?" I hear my mom ask to my dad.

"I don't know, honey, let me go check, you two go hide in a shop for now," he responds, carefully walking forward.

The loud sounds keep echoing through the mall, they still sounded so loud even when mom tried to cover my ears. We went into the nearest shop and hid in the last fitting room, crouching on the tiny bench there.

"Mommy what's going on?" I whisper, as the sounds got louder.

She shushed me and peeked through the slit in the door while biting her nails. After a long time of waiting, she gets off and goes to the door.

"What ever happens, do not move from here. Stay right here, I will be right back with your dad," she said, not giving me time to protest. 

I nervously wait while crouching on the bench. I hear a loud band and see blood splatter all over the floor. I cover my mouth with my hands to prevent myself from screaming. I look down and see a silver chain, with a heart shaped locket. I could recognize that anywhere, that's my mothers locket. I froze in shock, not able to process anything.

After what felt like hours, someone opened the stall. My heart started to pound and my head started to spin. I was about to sprint until I looked up. I saw a police officer standing there, looking at me. He holds my hand and leads me out the building, and as I look to the side, I see... him. I twist myself from his grip and run to my dad. 

"Dad wake up! Dad! Dad!" I scream, in hope he'll wake up.

I see the police officer come to me and I run away, as fast as my legs can take me. I hear another gun shot and look up. I see a man in a mask with a huge gun run towards me, as I stand there frozen.

"Shit, shit, shit, shit," I wake up with cold sweat coating my forehead, as I turn on the lamp beside me.

I push the covers off my body before sliding off the bed. I peel off my clothes that are partially wet from sweat. I turn on the shower and hop in, the neighbors must think I'm crazy. Who showers at 2:30 am? Apparently me .

I change into a fresh pair of clothes before getting back into bed. I turn on the T.V and put in Grey's Anatomy. It's a pretty good show to be honest. I keep watching the episodes, losing track of time.

Shit. It's 9 am.