Stopped

8

POV SUNSET

I waited, restless on the couch, the knocks on the door. Every second my breathing was unbalanced, I tried to keep it as controlled as possible. I hugged a pillow, so strong, that I would end up blowing it up and all the upholstery would be scattered around my apartment.

As much as I was looking forward to the arrival of my help, I made a brief jump when someone knocked on my door. I gently approached the door, taking care not to stumble, and turned the doorknob. A light appeared in front of my face, I closed my eyes due to sensitivity.

I felt two arms wrap me, passing around my neck, and bringing me into a tight hug, almost making me fall back. The person who hugged me was torn from me with one hand.

- Let her breathe - I heard who pulled say.

- It took us a while but we arrived, how are you?

- Better now that you've arrived - smiles, even though I knew they might not be able to see.

A cell phone turned on the flashlight, I could finally see Adagio's smile, giving me calm and serenity. Sonata, who had thrown himself on top of me, was standing next to him. Leaning on the door, Aria watched the view from my window.

- Sit on the couch - suggested Adagio - I'll make tea for the four of us, and light some candles.

Sonata took my hand and sat with me on the couch, making me lean on her shoulder. Aria opened the side of the curtain that was closed, letting the moonlight enter the enclosure, then sat next to Sonata. After a minute, the blue-haired one was lying on top of Aria, while I rested my head on Sonata's thighs, she played with a few strands of my hair, which left me calm. Adagio spread some candles around the apartment, in places she knew were safe, while the water warmed up.

- Has it been better since you called? - she asked, approaching the couch.

- I can't say - I sighed - my head was too full to think about it.

Adagio nodded, gave a brief squeeze on my shoulder and returned to the kitchen as soon as he heard the kettle sizzle.

I trembled a little, even if I wasn't cold. I felt Aria's gaze fall on me at the very moment I moved. She had always been more perceptive than the others.

- Cold? - he asked.

- A little, maybe - I replied, without being sure of the answer.

- You can let me get a blanket - he offered a sonata - I'll be right back!

I heard her knocking and tripping over some things as I went to the closet where I kept my covers. Fortunately, it didn't look like she had fallen. I gave a weak smile at the situation. Aria looked at me with a raised eyebrow, but then softened her expression.

- The chamomile tea will calm you down and this shaking will pass - he said - when I had my crises I also trembled like this, it will pass.

Those words gave me the feeling that I would get better, that I shouldn't worry. I knew I was strong, but deep down, I always had doubts about whether I was really able to overcome my anxiety.

Sonata, clumsily, threw a blanket on top of me and covered me completely. I put my head out, and I could finally see her with a smile in front of me.

- Thank you Sonata - thank you.

I knocked on the empty place on the couch, asking her to sit down. I covered her and we were hugged, shrunk and surrounded by the blanket.

Adagio brought a tray carefully. Four cups were set, I took the one I knew was made of chamomile and bleed it, fearing to burn my tongue.

- It's hot - warned Adagio - I wouldn't recommend...

- Ai, ai, ai, ai - Sonata shook her mouth with her hand, in a failed attempt to make wind - I thought it was hot, not boiling!

I heard a muffled laugh coming from Aria, who was holding a laugh.

- If you had listened - smiled Adagio - I wouldn't have burned your tongue.

- You'll end up not talking like that - I got into the game.

- My prayers would be answered - mocked Aria, finally surrendering to laughter.

We all laughed a lot, except for Sonota, who bled and drank her tea.

From that moment on, I knew I was safe.

POV TWILIGHT

I received another call that same day, a little later in the evening. I looked at the display and it was the same number by which Timber had tried to talk to me. It was Glorious's number.

I answered the call, fearing it would be Timber again.

- Hello? - I asked, afraid.

- Twilight? Is that you? - Glorious's voice came up.

- Ah, Glorious! - I relieved myself - yes, it's me.

- Strange, I hadn't even called you, but in my messages it appeared as if I had - he commented.

- Well, maybe it's because it wasn't you who called me - I said, hoping she would understand.

- But who... - she started to say, but then stopped - ah, yes, of course!

- Let's say it wasn't a big surprise... - I got tangled up in the words - nice.

- I can't believe he took my cell phone to bother you - I could hear Gloriosa snorting - I'm going to take satisfaction with him right now!

- Sorry - I sighed - I didn't want to cause another fight between you.

- My angel, none of this is your fault - your voice softened - the only person who owes excuses is my brother, and only him.

- All right - I smiled on the side, Gloriosa's support always invigorated me - but it was good to talk to you.

- It's always a pleasure - she said - see you later Twilight, I have someone to curse!

- See you later, Glorious - I said goodbye - try not to kill your brother.

- Leave it to me!

The cell phone whistled, indicating the end of the call. I gave a long sigh at the end of the call, the day had been very stressful. The clock was eleven o'clock at night, I thought it would be a good idea to sleep. I got ready to go to bed and called Spike to sleep with me. I heard the noise of his paws in the hallway and then he jumped on the bed. I covered myself and tried to fall asleep, but my mind was very agitated.

A part of me was very happy to have spoken to Gloriosa again. I loved our conversations and, especially, I was very happy to have someone else to trust. However, as much as I felt very good about Gloriosa, my mind was not yet free of Timber. I, in fact, had no feelings of love for him, all the passion I had was gone, but the thought that I would never be totally free kept prowling me. I could date someone else, get married, have children, but I would never feel safe knowing that he would always be behind me. That feeling of being chased haunted me every night, it was terrible.

It was in the middle of the turbulent thoughts and full head that I finally erased and fell asleep