A Way Back To You

22| Nightmare

Definition: A terrifying or unpleasant dream that causes extreme anxiety and distress; An event or situation so terrible that it resembles a bad dream.

~~~~~~

Trigger warning: This book deals with mentions and discussions of abuse, mainly physical but potentially sexual. While the latter is never descript, reader discretion is still advised.

~~~~~~

With Ant, Monday. 6:00am.

~~~~~~

"Snow!" Ariana's small, yet excited voice, snapped Ant out of a dead sleep. Dazed and slightly confused, he jolted upright and quickly looked around for the source of the sudden noise, his bleary eyes taking considerable time to adjust. He stood up and stumbled out of the room, eyes finally adjusting as he spotted the small child looking out the window of his apartment. 

Somewhat glad that the sliding doors were securely locked with a key, Ant cautiously wandered towards her. "Ari? You ok princess?" 

"Y-yep." Ariana nodded quickly at him, "L-look! Snow!" She pointed outside, and Ant glanced outside and then laughed. He lifted her into his arms so that she could see better. Snow had fallen overnight, white and magical, like a fallen blanket which covered everything in it's path.

Ant realised that this was probably her first time seeing snow, especially since learning about it at her sleepover a couple of days prior. He was glad to see Ariana acting like herself again. She'd been far quieter than usual around him, and had been reluctant to talk to much. Ant had worried about her constantly. She seemed much more relaxed now, much to his relief.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Ant commented, admiring the view. 

"Yep!" Ariana agreed. 

Ant glanced at the clock on the wall opposite them. Since it was only just past six, they had plenty of time before he had to drop Ariana off. If he got her ready now, especially since she'd had a shower before bed the night before, he'd have plenty of time to teach her how to have a proper snowball fight before the day started. 

"Ari, I need you to go get dressed, ok?" Ant smiled. "Make sure you wear boots, your hat, and gloves." 

Ariana nodded at him, but didn't move. Ant had gotten used to her waiting for him to put her down before she went to do anything, so he carefully put her down. Instantly, she disappeared into her room, the door clicking closed behind her as she did so. Ant himself set about changing, then went back into the kitchen afterwards, making himself a coffee and making a mental note to ensure Ariana ate before he sent her off. 

"I w-weady." Ariana called, her feet pattering against the ground softly. 

"Good girl." Ant smiled. "Would you like a cookie?" 

Usually he wouldn't give her sugar so early. But while her doctor was happy with her current progress, Ant knew she was still slightly underweight, and he had less reservations about her eating sugar at odd times of the day than he did about her health if she wasn't at a healthy weight. 

"Yep." Ariana nodded at him with a smile, and he passes her one before grabbing his keys and phone. "W-we go?" 

"Yep. Snowman time." Ant grinned. He gestured to the window and Ariana looked at him, slightly confused. Despite that, she still nodded at Ant and followed him out of the apartment. Ant chattered with her about all manner of things as he walked them outside. It was freezing cold, but Ariana didn't seem to feel it as severely as he'd expected. Almost the instant they touched the snow, Ari had bent down to inspect it.