Hello Neighbor: Hidden Shadows: Unofficial AFK Book

CHAPTER 12

   I'm not supposed to be out here right now. Everyone is asleep, but I'm not. I'm still afraid to attempt to sleep, because every time I do, I have a nightmare. Despite my fear darkness, I've managed to run downstairs for a drink of water, without making any noise. As I take a sip out of my glass, I hear footsteps behind me.

   "Who's there?" I ask frighteningly. The figure gets closer, revealing someone I recognize.

   "Nicky, what are you doing down here" asks Maritza, who looks horrified. I hesitate to answer, only staring at her through her eyes, which makes me tremble in fear.

   "I needed water," I reply. The keeps the same look on her face, then letting it relax. I finish my glass, while she for some reason just looks at me.

   "What was that about?" she asks.

   "Huh?"

   "You slept with a bag over your head the entire night. Why?" she asks again. I don't answer, only staring in fear that she might try to stay away from me again.

   "Is there something you're not telling me?" Maritza asks, crossing her arms.

   "I don't know if I should really-

   "You're not okay are you?" Maritza says. I guess I have no way out of this, do I? I turn back to the fridge, trying to avoid eye contact. I take a final deep breath, still not ready to talk.

   "Are you going to think I'm crazy if I tell you?" I ask nervously.

   "No. Just tell me. What's up?" she pleads.

   "I'm not fine, okay?" I snap. I turn back to her, who has a worried look on her face. "Nothing is okay anymore. Nothing will ever be. I'm scared, okay?" I continue. Her eyes widen at me, leading me to think that she's frightened now.

   "I can't sleep at night. Every time I do, I have a nightmare about him, or the basement. I'm not happy, at all. I can't fully trust people anymore, after everything that happened. I don't know what to feel anymore. Is that what you wanted to hear?" I rush.

   Maritza's mouth is slightly open, frozen after what I just said. "Have you told anyone else about this," Maritza asks.

   "No, because I'm afraid about what people will think," I say, turning my back to Maritza. I eyes forcefully pinch together, with a tear emerging out of the corner of my eye. "I can't control it."

   "Tell your parents," Maritza says. I turn my head around, with Maritza peaking in the corner of my eyesight.

   "I don't know if I want to do that," I reply.

   "They'll care. Your parents cried for 2 weeks when you were... gone. I think they'd ought to listen to you now more than ever," Maritza says. I don't know if she's trying to manipulate me, or if she's telling the truth. I don't know if I can fully trust her anymore, after what she did. I turn back to her. She looks into my eyes, giving me a serious look.

   I nervously nod, trying to avoid eye contact with her. She turns back, walking towards the stair rail. "Wait!" I call out. She stops.

   "I'm kind of scared to go alone," I say, embarrassingly rubbing my arms. She looks at me for a second, then I start to follow her to the stairs. She grabs my wrist, and she leads me upstairs. I had my eyes nearly closed the whole time, avoiding contact with the darkness, but I somehow made it through the doorframe, Maritza letting go of my hand. I stand there, examining the pillow case I kept over my head for the night.

   I look to the other side of the room, seeing Enzo and Trinity in each other's arms, resting asleep. I sit on the floor, forcing the pillow case back onto my head, rocking myself back and forth.

   "It's safe," I think to myself. "No one will ever find me."