Reaper ~ THG AU

Ch. 41: Good Night

Hours later, after everyone has either gone home or gone to sleep, I lay awake in my old bed. Aurelia's light snores provide the only sound other than my beating heart. Her small hands grip my night shirt tight, stopping me from getting up from the lumpy mattress.

Memories flash in my mind, preventing me from closing my eyes even for just a second. Some are drawn out, others so quick that I almost don't realize they passed. All I can taste and smell is blood. The sounds of their screams ringing in my loud mind.

On the service I'm sure I seem calm, collected even. Yet behind my dark eyes is a never ending battlefield filled with the carnage of my actions. Bodies fall, heads rolling as I bathe in the aftermath of their deaths just for it all to start again.

Like a never ending loop of my worst nightmares...

Another memory pushes to the surface, one I almost forgot about. A younger version of myself having nightmares herself.

——

*Flashback*

"Ace..."

My little hand knocks on the wooden door to his bedroom, finding it cracked open. A slight breeze blows the curtains, providing a slight light from the bright moon outside. The heat from the summer sun still soaks the night, even with the burning ball long gone.

"Ace..."

I push the door open more, silently stepping into the small room. Atlas's empty mat still lays where he used to sleep before Mama and Pops died. Now he sleeps in their room where Aurelia's crib stays.

Acacius lays on the small bed near the window, his back towards me as his blankets cover only his legs.  His shoulders move with each breath, the only indication that he's even alive. I slowly step over, shaking his shoulder gently while still clutching my stuffed rabbit to my chest.

"Ace..."

He groans, clutching the spare pillow closer to his chest. I shake him once more before he finally rolls over, his eyes barely open. He reaches up to rub them before sitting up a bit.

"Z? What's wrong?"

"I had a bad dream...can I sleep in here with you?"

"Yeah..."

He fixes the spare pillow before scooting over. I crawl in, gripping rabbit close before pulling the thin blanket over my bare legs. My nightgown keeps me warm as a stronger breeze blows through, sending some of the cool night air into the stuffy bedroom.

"What was the nightmare about?"

"Monsters...they came and got you, Atlas, and Aurelia and I was left all alone..."

"You know that won't happen, Z..."

"You don't know that. I could be all alone one day."

"Hey."

He sits up, his small frame staring down at me. His eyes hold complete seriousness as I look down at rabbit, fiddling with his old ears. The old fabric is almost brown from the years of it being passed down between us kids.

"Listen to me, Azalea Sage. You will never be alone. I will always be here. Even if my body isn't. And if any monsters dare to show their face, I'll be here to protect you and who ever else they threaten."

"But..."

"No buts." He lays back down, pulling me in for a comforting cuddle. "They can't hurt you if I'm here. And I've already said I'm not going anywhere."

"Okay..."

"Okay. Now get some sleep. You need it."

"Good night, Ace."

"Good night, Z..."

His voice drips with sleep as I feel his get more comfortable. I feel my own drowsiness overwhelm me, a yawn leaving me. I close my eyes, snuggling up closer to my brother as sleep threatens to overtake me.

"I love you..."

"I love you too, Z..."

——

I gently pry Aurelia's fingers off of me, replacing it with my pillow. I slowly sit up as she groans, pulling the pillow closer. Pulling the blanket up better around her, I lean over to give her a soft kiss on her head.

I stand, keeping an eye on her with every movement so not to wake her. Once satisfied, I turn towards the door and softly step over. The door creeks as I push it open, grimacing with every sound. Aurelia's light snores make me sigh before stepping out into the dark hall.

Atlas's louder snores sound throughout the house as I pass his door, heading right for the closed door down the hall. The hardwood floor feels cool against my bare feet, providing little comfort with each step. The only thing covering my skin from the cool night being the same nightgown I wore the night before the reaping.

I come to a stop outside the quiet room, the memory once more playing in my racing mind. My hand grabs the old doorknob, slowly turning it as a shaky breath leaves me. I'm hit with a wave of extreme sadness as the smell of my late brother fills my nose.

I haven't stepped foot in here since two days before the reaping. Nothing has changed, Acacius's clothes that I cleaned that day still piled on his dresser. His work shirt from the day before the reaping hangs on the chair near his bed. His work boots are neatly tucked under his bed with a box that holds his prized possessions.

A deep sob leaves me as I step over, gently shutting the door behind me. I grab the work shirt as fresh tears fall. I ignore the dirt and sweat that no doubt cover the fabric as I bring it up to my nose, breathing in more of his musk. It calms me as another sob leaves me, providing the only sound in the quiet room.

The tears become to much as my body collapses onto his mattress, convulsing with each sob. Time passes as more and more salty drops fall. His work shirt soaks up all the moisture that bleeds from my eyes, the grief and loss being too much for my tired brain.

Soon my eyes are droopy, my drowsiness threatening to overtake everything else. My face burns, the salt from my tears leaving streaks. My eyes themselves seem to completely out of the drops that poured from my brown orbs.

Sniffing away any other emotions, I lay down with my head on his pillow. My hand grabs his blanket before coving up. If musk completely coats me and the air around my body. His shirt is still clutched in my arms as my eyelids fall.

"Good night, Ace...love you..."

A calming sensation overwhelms me as I sink further into the bed. The darkness overtakes my mind as it plays his reply. I hear it ring through my thoughts before I'm knocked into a dreamless sleep.

Good night, Z...love you too...

⚔️