Darko's Adopted Kid (Adopted by Dawko) ★

★ CHAPTER 10 - The Storm ★

(AK’S POV)

I woke up to the loud thunder outside and lightning flashed throughout the room… I pulled the blanket over my face and tried covering my ears, I hate thunder so much! When I was younger my parent always told me that thunder was simply stuff being moved around in the clouds, they told me it can't hurt me. I was able to stay somewhat calm but now I don't have them to tell me that…

I flinched and continued covering my ears each time it thundered. It was scary… I tried to go back to sleep but couldn't, it was too loud. I hate it! Why can't mother nature go to sleep!? I tried not to cry but couldn't help it and started sniffling. I tried counting between each thunderbolt but it didn't seem to help.

I just want to sleep! I don't wanna be scared… I tried not to be. I didn't know what time it was but I think it was the middle of the night and I had gotten little sleep before I was woken up by the storm. I was so tired but couldn't get back to sleep because of how loud the thunder was… I just want my parent but they're not here. They're never gonna be… I started crying more.

I didn't wanna be alone anymore and left the room, I was really scared but eventually I made it to the living area where Lewis was sleeping on the sofa. I felt bad waking him up because he was out cold but I did so anyway and he woke up and quickly shielded his eyes with his arm even though there were no lights on… Why did he do that?

"L-Lewis…?" I said.

"Wh… What do you want…? Huh? Oh! Eh, AK? What's wrong, uh, kiddo?" He asked, quickly sitting up and gesturing for me to sit.

"I'm scared!" I grabbed his arm and tried pulling him closer as I sat down.

"Of what? What's wrong?"

As soon as he said that more thunder occurred and I tried to hold back my tears. "T-That! The thunder! I can't sleep, it's so loud!"

"Oh, that… Right, I'm sorry, kiddo. You should have woken me sooner, I completely forgot there was gonna be a storm. I was fast asleep, y'know?"

"I know, I was t-too but then…" He cut off my words and gently pulled me into his lap as he tightly hugged me.

"Shh, it's alright. It's just a ruckus in the sky, the worst that can happen is the power will go out. That sucks but at least it's better than us getting killed, right?"

"Y-Yeah? It is…" That sounded a bit odd… of course it'd be better! What was he talking about…?

"Mhm. Now, we can sit here or I can bring you back to bed, if you'd like."

I didn't say anything, I kinda just pushed myself into his arms more… I wish my parent was here, they'd know how to help. But Lewis was still very kind, I've only known him for such little time but he's just some kind of blessing. I'm not religious by the way! But still, I am so glad he adopted me! It's been a very rough few months…

It had been maybe 20 minutes since the storm woke me up, it was still very loud and I kept flinching. I was trying not to start crying again because of the sound. I was kind of ashamed for still being afraid of thunderstorms at 11, thunder can't hurt me… but I still hate it. Lewis had continued to hug me and I could have sworn he was starting to doze off. I, however, was not…

Ugh! Why? Why is the sky being so rude to a child that has had a tragic past few months!? I don't get it… but I do. The sky has nothing to do with me. I'm just… I don't know.

I just wanna go back to sleep, that's all… why is that so hard for me? I'm so tired but very alert, I hate it.

I grabbed onto Lewis' arm and tried shaking him awake because I was pretty sure he fell asleep. He flinched and asked me what was wrong so I told him I couldn't fall asleep. He offered to bring me back to his bed and he could sleep next to me if that would help but I shook my head no. He seemed hesitant when he said that anyway…

I didn't know what time it was, it was definitely past the middle of the night and it seemed like the storm was not leaving anytime soon. Lewis had fallen asleep again! How… how is he so easily sleeping through this!? Then again… I'm just a scared child.

I did start to doze off a few times but each time the sky would troll me and a loud boom of thunder would occur. I hated the lightning, it lit up the entire room for seconds and it was scary.

I was exhausted and… soon enough the storm had cleared up. But it was getting light outside, I had barely gotten any sleep! What was I supposed to do now? I couldn't sleep the entire morning… Lewis wouldn't let me, would he?

As it got lighter outside I could see more of the room and I looked up at Lewis, his eyes were closed and he was… smiling? Odd, but alright. I stared at the wall and closed my eyes trying to fall asleep. I did but I vaguely remember waking up for a moment as I was carried to bed and tucked in before I fell asleep again.

And then I woke up once more to a scream.