New Beginning

Chapter 5

Nightmares were always something you were used to, especially after rehashing trauma. They mostly occurred every night, some different than the others, but if you were lucky you'd make it a week without one.

"This will be our little secret, okay? Mommy can't know about this."

After those words were said you spent years having to please your father. At the time you didn't know any better. You thought all little girls had to do this.

Trapped inside of your six year old body, you can only start to realize that this is a nightmare. Tears forming in your eyes and your small body shaking, aching to wake up.

You couldn't control your movements or speak.

'I don't want to. Please.' You thought. Your eyes were glued wide open against your will.

'Please wake up.' You tried to speak.

'Stop. Stop. Stop.'

It was like all air inside of your lungs had disappeared and you could no longer breathe. Your muted cries got heavier.

"Stop!" You finally yelled as your eyes snapped open. Panting, you quickly checked your surroundings. "Stupid fucking nightmare." You mumbled to yourself. In hopes of trying to calm yourself down by taking deep breaths, the door to the room is suddenly slammed open.

Alcina was standing at the frame with a worried expression on her face.

"Are you alright? I heard yelling." She asked as she crouched into the room.

"Yes I'm fine. I'm sorry. I hope I didn't wake you." You were embarrassed. You didn't think you were that loud.

"Don't worry about it. It sounded like you were in danger. I was afraid someone gotten into the castle."

Who would be foolish enough to try to break into here? If her daughters aren't scary enough to keep people away, Alcina sure the hell is.

"It was just my mind messing with me— that's all." You smiled to try to ease the tension but her brows furrowed. You could tell by how concentrated she looked that she was trying to read you.

"Nightmare?" She questioned. Your mouth went dry. You wanted to lie and say no because it's embarrassing to say "Oh yeah I had a nightmare and woke up probably the entire castle screaming." But she'd probably read right through you again so it's safe just to be honest.

"Yeah, but it was nothing." You shrugged.

"It didn't sound like it was just nothing."

'Why does she even care?'

"I deal with them all the time so for me— yes, it was nothing." You spoke with it sounding ruder than you intended.

Alcina's nose flared up before you cut her off.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for that to sound rude. I just meant to say that having nightmares is normal for me, so there's no need to spend time talking about them and burdening you with it."

"I understand." Alcina spoke flatly. She waited a few moments before deeply sighing. "Well if you are stable enough to go home now I can call for a car."