Red Lilies

Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Maybe it was the way he spoke to her. Maybe, it was the way he looked at her.

But she was nervous.

Again.

He only growled the words out, assuming it was a "he". As much as she would love to figure it out, her eyes stayed shut and her breathing ragged.

For weeks, she had avoided any dream, nightmare or sleep paralysis... Weeks of tired limbs, heavy eyelids and her brain turned to mush from exhaustion. It was heaven on earth for her.

Not remembering when she dozed off and waking up with the sun hitting her face like a warm blanquette was her new normal, her favourite way to start the day.

Those dark heavy bags under her watery eyes had been her daily accessory. Not her favourite look, but sleeping was not an option when nightmares kept you more tired than running a marathon.

But tonight.

"He" had a different plan for her.

- "Do not fear me." -

Hard to avoid that when he speaks like a beast about to eat its prey.

- "I am here to protect you." -

Then stop scaring me!

- "Stop pushing me away!" -

Did he hear her thoughts? Was she speaking out laud? Or was it that obvious she wanted to wake up and never fall asleep again...

Her hand itched for her necklace, to hold and pray for the nightmare to end. However, "he" was so close, she could easily brush her hand with his body.

Hell no!

- "I am not here to hurt you... Sakura." -

The way he whispered her name in a softer tune that caught her breath. The jolt going through her body almost, just almost pushed her towards his massive form. With her eyes scrunched so hard her face started to hurt, burning her skin with an almost sense of shame.

All she ever did was assume.

Assume it was a "he". Assume the danger. Assume the ugly lies around her in a beautiful sea of white lilies.

Why would she consider the flowers to be the only beauty in this world, "he" was part of it. She was in "his" world, judging his voice and everything she could perceive.

Had she learned nothing?

Do not judge the danger by its appearance.

The next jolt that recked through her body was her alarm clock, sitting up from her bed in a hurry that made her room spin.

Nausea, shame and fatigue was the worst way to wake up, never mind the sheen of sweat sticking her pyjamas to her body like a glove.

- "ugh..." - she grumbled to the empty room, hopping for an easy day she knew would not come true and a mid-day nap that was out of her character.

Maybe she got too comfortable, her body was finally used to having a good night's sleep. Now it feels like she never really knew how much her body was pushed.

- "Take it easy... one day would not push us back." - she told herself in the bathroom mirror. Looking straight at those dull green eyes, red with unshed tears and eyelids heavy with exhaustion.

She was never a fan of those bedroom eyes, hers just seemed like she was about to fall asleep for days.

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