Dangerous black ties

Nightmare

As I swing open the front door, the sharp scent of cigarettes assaults my senses. Empty beer and liquor bottles litter the floor, creating a hazardous obstacle course. My father slumps on the couch, his presence a heavyweight in the room.

"Where are my drugs, Meridith?!" my dad shouts at me.

"What are you talking about? I didn't touch your drugs." I ask, stuttering in fear.

"Yes, you did; who else would?!" he shouts, getting up from the couch.

"Well, im not sure. I can help you retrace your steps." I suggest my tone be laced with terror.

"You are a liar!" He screams, grabbing my arm and punching me on the cheek. A shriek leaves my mouth.

"Where are they?!" he screams again louder.

"I do not know," I whine through the pain in my cheek.

He punches my stomach, making me fall over in pain.

Pushing me down, he kicks my sides and stomach.
Pushing me to the ground, he chokes me.

"Stop. Dad Stop. You are hurting me. Please, Dad. Stop." I plead and plead, feeling as though I were suffocating. Scratching in his hands.

Mer.

Mer.

Mer.

The voice says more frequently.
I wake up suddenly, my face feeling wet.

As I glanced up, I saw Edison with a disheveled look on his face, his expression conveying a mix of worry and concern. He was standing there in nothing but sweatpants, illuminated by the dim moonlight that was streaming into the dark room, which revealed the intricate tattoos adorning his skin.

As I swiftly wiped my face, I couldn't help but notice the dark circles under his eyes and the slight bloodshot appearance, as if he had been abruptly awakened.
"Im sorry. I didn't mean to wake you," I say, slowly coming to guilt and shame noticeable in my tone.

"Hey, hey, it's okay, im not upset. Are you okay?" He asks softly, rubbing his hand through his hair as though unsure of what exactly to say.

"Im fine," I answer quickly.

"Did you have a nightmare? I only ask because you were screaming and you were crying," he asked me carefully.

"Yes. I did just something that happened." I respond, looking down, not wanting to meet his gaze.

"Do you want to talk about it?" he asks me softly.

"No," I answer plainly and shortly.

"Well, if you ever feel like it, I'm available," he tells me sincerely.

"Im awake now. Just go back to bed," I tell him, noticing how tired he looks.

"Mer, it's 2:40. You need to go back to sleep too," he says, looking at his watch.

"Edison, I'm a big girl, im fine. Just go lay back down," I tell him, rising from the bed and rubbing my eyes to help me wake.

"Meredith, lay down. You look exhausted. Your body needs to heal," he slightly pleads sternly.


"I don't want to wake you up again," I tell him factly.

"Meredith, I could care less if you woke me up. Don't worry about me. bambina, okay."  He tells me.
{baby}

I chuckle softly.
"I've heard that word before; what does it mean?" I tell him.

He arches his brow.
"Where did you hear it before?" He asks me

"My first day, when I went to get you lunch, the lady there called me that," I tell him, explaining.

He smiles lightly.
"She's pretty much like my mom. She's nice," he tells me.

"Well, what does it mean?" I ask him.

"I'll tell you tomorrow after you get some sleep," he teased.

I roll my eyes playfully.
"You are no fun," I tease back.

Slowly laying my sore body back down.

He goes to shut off the nightlight.
"Wait, please leave it on," I ask him.

He nods slightly, retracting his hand from the switch.

"Good night, Meredith," he tells me, starting to walk out the door.

"Wait," I say quickly before he opens the door.

He looks at me quickly.
"I know it may be a little strange to ask, especially since we don't know each other very well, but would you mind staying with me for a while until I fall asleep? I had a scary dream, and I'm feeling a bit nervous and scared." I keep going on and on, feeling like I'm rambling.

"Okay," he says simply.

"Okay?" I ask him.
"Avevo la sensazione che prima saremmo finite a letto insieme, ma non imaginary che access proprio cos..." he says with a chuckle.
{I had a hunch that we would end up in bed together first, but I didn't envision it happening quite like this.}

As he settles next to me on the bed, I feel the gentle dip in the mattress from his sudden weight.

"Thank you," I whisper, settling beside his body, the weakness aiding in my sleep departure.

I yawn since then, feeling sleep creeping up on me.
Edison doesn't say a single word as he sits beside me; he just pulls the blanket more over my body as I get settled.
My jacket was off as I was sleeping.

Fortunately, he refrains from bringing up those painful memories again. I can sense the unspoken desire in his eyes to ask about them, but he's making an effort to be considerate of the traumatic experiences I've endured. Upon arriving at my house, I would ask him to wait outside to spare him the sight of the patched holes I'd painstakingly repaired from the damage caused by my father. Despite the challenges, I strive to keep the place clean, even though it often feels like living in the aftermath of a storm.

It's probably best for him to wait in the car while I go get my stuff. I don't want to see any more judgmental looks on their faces. It's like they see something broken, not just Meredith.

As my mind drifts, I feel my thoughts being gently tugged away, and my eyelids grow heavy. Gradually, a cloak of darkness envelops me, ushering me into its embrace.