The Alchemy

Clean

TW: mention sexual assault

--------------

The assault happened three days ago, and I still can't get it out of my mind. No one knows but Will. I act like everything is fine, but it's not. I am having nightmares—it's always the same. I am running in a long hallway like the ones in hospitals. Something is chasing me, but I don't know what it is. As I look behind me to see it, I fall into water. I try to reach the surface, but the more I try, the deeper I sink. I can't breathe. Then I wake up, sweating and shaking.

I am walking around the hotel hallways since I am too scared to sleep, and I've had enough of my hotel room. I find myself in front of the hotel pool. There is no one around, so I decide to sit on the edge of the pool and dip my feet in the water.

"Hey," someone says behind me. It's Will. Does he always follow me around, or did he put a tracking chip in my arm?

"You can't sleep, right?" Will says. "Can I sit here?"

I nod.

We just sit there in silence. I enjoy his company, even if he can be an ass sometimes. I let my head rest on his shoulder, and I feel myself slowly falling asleep.

-

I wake up yelling, just like every other night. The same nightmare. I feel a comforting presence beside me and lean in. He's still here, I think. He gently rubs my back until my breathing evens out.

"Hey, it's going to be okay. You don't have to go through this alone," he whispers. "It's late. Try to sleep."

I nod as I let myself fall asleep again.

-

After a few days, I finally talk to the girls about it. We talked, cried, and hugged. It felt good to be heard and understood. I am not alone.

-

Performing the next shows didn't felt as bad as they used to be, I am beginning to have fun at my shows again. 

-----

I'll post tomorrow next chapter