Fallen Angel

6. Confession on the big wheel

Aurora's hair was in her face, stuck to her wet cheeks from tears. Her knees were scraped from having finally let herself fall to the floor. She was shaking from crying so much. Ethan froze for a second, eyes wide as he watched a person who could be an angel break down in front of him. But he immediately reacted and ran towards her. He bent down next to her and hugged her. Aurora, frightened, pushed him away with a flick of her arm, but Ethan wrapped his arms around her again, this time soothing her with his voice.

"Aurora, it's me. I'm Ethan. What happened? What scared you?"

She couldn't stop crying. Ethan hugged her even tighter.

"It's just that... I've been left alone... I'm so alone..." Aurora tried to say between tears.

"No, listen to me. You are not alone. I'm here by your side. Olivia and Connie are waiting for you outside. We would never leave you alone."

"I was so afraid... Everything was dark, and it was just me against hell..."

"You are safe now."

Slowly, Aurora regained her normal breathing rhythm while she stopped crying. She let Ethan continue to hold her.

"Do you want me to tell you something? You have so much light inside you that hell could never win over you. Come on, let's get out of here. If you're scared, hold onto my arm and close your eyes until we're outside." He helped her up and they left.

When she came out, Aurora still had her eyes closed and was holding Ethan's arm. The boy looked at her and smiled.

"Aurora, we've already left," he said, amused. She looked at him, blushed and let go of his arm. How could she have allowed him to see her in such a vulnerable situation! "Wow, looks like Olivia and Connie have gone somewhere. Well, we'll have to look for them. They might have gone to buy food. Aren't you hungry?"

"Thank you," she said suddenly.

She caught him off guard and he smiled tenderly.

"You don't have to thank me. Come on, let's go."

He took her hand and they walked a long way like that while looking for their friends. Ethan's hand was warm and very calming. He liked to be interesting and show himself as a stuck-up guy, but deep down it seemed that he was hiding a good heart. Aurora didn't know what to think, but she didn't let go of his hand because she felt safe.

After a few minutes they finally found Olivia and Connie. Sure enough, they were standing in line at a food and candy store. Aurora let go of Ethan's hand before Olivia could see them. He was surprised at the reaction, but immediately understood that it was to avoid problems with her friend.

"What the hell happened inside the Phantom Manor? Are you OK, Aurora? Why did you take so long?" asked Olivia, worried.

"Sorry, there was a scene that scared me badly..." Aurora explained shyly.

"I'm the one who has to apologize, Aurora. I shouldn't have run off or left you alone in that dark hallway, I'm sorry," Connie apologized.

"No, don't worry! I would have run away too, but I was paralyzed. Fortunately, Ethan came to help me."

"I must admit that there were very real effects and sets, anyone would have been scared." Ethan sided with Aurora. They both looked at each other for a second.

"Well, I'm glad you're okay. You're easily scared, sometimes!" laughed her friend.

They bought some sandwiches which they ate on picnic tables from the store where they had bought them. You could see quite a few attractions from there. There must have been about two hours left before the park closed. When Olivia finished her sandwich, she began to speak.