The Innocent Ballerina

Chapter 15: Regressed and Scared

Back at the apartment, the fear and adrenaline from my encounter on the street had not fully worn off. Every creak of the floorboards, every rustle of the wind outside seemed amplified, a reminder of the shadowy figure I had seen—or thought I had seen. My heart still pounded in my chest, and a sense of panic began to bubble up inside me.

Unable to shake the fear, I found myself slipping into littlespace. It was a coping mechanism I had relied on since childhood, a way to retreat to a simpler, safer state of mind when the world became too overwhelming. But this time, the transition was abrupt and uncontrollable. I felt small, helpless, and utterly terrified.

I reached for my favorite blankie, clutching it tightly to my chest as I rocked back and forth on the floor. The familiar softness of the fabric was comforting, but it did little to quell the rising tide of anxiety. Tears streamed down my face as I tried to calm myself, but the fear was too much.

"Dani," I whimpered, my voice small and childlike. "I want Dani..."

But Dani was at the police station, working late into the night. I knew I couldn't call her; she was busy with important work, and I didn't want to be a burden. The thought only made me feel more isolated and scared.

In my panic, I began to bite my arm—a habit I had when overwhelmed. The sharp pain grounded me, but it also left marks that I knew would bruise later. I tried to stop, but the urge was too strong, a desperate attempt to regain some semblance of control.

"Maybe I was just seeing things," I whispered to myself, trying to rationalize the fear away. "Maybe it was just my imagination..."

But deep down, I knew it wasn't true. The shadowy figure had felt real, too real. And the memory of their cold, unyielding gaze sent shivers down my spine.

As I sat there, rocking back and forth with my blankie, I heard the sound of keys jingling in the lock. My heart leaped in my chest as the door opened, and Dani stepped inside, her face etched with worry.

"Naomi?" she called out, her voice filled with concern. "Where are you?"

"Dani!" I cried, my voice breaking with relief. I scrambled to my feet and ran to her, throwing myself into her arms.

Dani held me tightly, her embrace warm and reassuring. "Shh, it's okay, sweetheart. I'm here now."

I clung to her, sobbing uncontrollably. "I was so scared, Dani. I thought someone was following me. I... I saw someone..."

Dani pulled back slightly, cupping my face in her hands. "It's okay, Naomi. You're safe now. I'm here."

She led me to the couch and sat me down, gently wiping away my tears. "Tell me what happened, sweetie. I need to know everything."

Through my tears and trembling voice, I recounted the events of the evening—the feeling of being watched, the shadowy figure in the alley, the fear that had gripped me so tightly. Dani listened intently, her expression growing more serious with each word.

When I finished, she took a deep breath, her brow furrowed in thought. "Naomi, I believe you. We'll take this seriously, okay? I'm going to make sure you're safe."

I nodded, feeling a small measure of relief at her words. Dani always knew how to make me feel safe, even in the most terrifying situations.

"Now, let's get you cleaned up," Dani said gently, noticing the marks on my arm. "We'll take care of these bites, and then we'll figure out what to do next."

She guided me to the bathroom, where she carefully cleaned and bandaged my arm. Her touch was gentle and soothing, a stark contrast to the panic that had consumed me earlier.

As she finished, Dani looked into my eyes, her expression soft and caring. "Naomi, I'm not going to let anything happen to you. I promise."

I nodded, feeling a wave of gratitude and love for her. "Thank you, Dani. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'll never have to find out," she replied, pulling me into a tight hug. "We're in this together."

---

The next day, Dani took me to the police station, where she reported the incident and ensured that extra patrols would be in our neighborhood. She also arranged for a security system to be installed in our apartment, complete with cameras and alarms. Her dedication to my safety was unwavering, and it filled me with a sense of security I hadn't felt in a long time.

But despite these measures, the fear lingered. I found myself constantly looking over my shoulder, jumping at every unexpected noise. Dani did her best to reassure me, but the memory of that night haunted me.

One evening, as we sat on the couch watching a movie, I found myself slipping into littlespace again. The anxiety and fear were too much, and I needed the comfort of my blankie and plushies to feel safe.

"Dani," I whispered, curling up next to her. "I feel little..."

Dani smiled gently, wrapping her arm around me. "That's okay, sweetie. You can be little as long as you need to. I'm here to take care of you."

I nodded, snuggling closer to her. "Can we play with my plushies?"

"Of course," Dani replied, her voice soothing. "Let's get your favorite ones."

She helped me gather my plushies and we arranged them on the couch, creating a cozy little nest. As we played, Dani's presence calmed me, the fear and anxiety gradually fading away.

After a while, Dani suggested we read a story together. She picked one of my favorite children's books and read it aloud, her voice soft and comforting. As she read, I felt myself relaxing, the tension melting away.

By the time the story ended, I was feeling much better. Dani's love and care had worked their magic, soothing my troubled mind and easing my fears.

"Thank you, Dani," I said, looking up at her with a grateful smile. "I feel better now."

"I'm glad, Naomi," she replied, kissing my forehead. "I'll always be here to help you, no matter what."

With Dani by my side, I knew I could face whatever challenges lay ahead. Her love and support gave me the strength to keep going, even when things seemed darkest. And as we settled down for the night, I knew that together, we could overcome anything.