VALERIE
I woke up to find myself in darkness around me like a suffocating shroud. The shadows on the wall twisted into grotesque faces, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. I felt myself being pulled into a dark abyss, the ground beneath me crumbling like sand. I tried to scream but my voice was trapped on my throat.
Suddenly, I was back home, in a house that resembled the one from fourteen years ago with the same furniture and everything.
My feet echoed through the empty halls, leading me deeper into the heart of terror. I found myself in my mom's bedroom, my heart racing and my palms sweaty.
A sense of longing overwhelmed me as I stared at my mom, her face etched in my memory like a scar.
I stood beside my seven-year-old self, watching as we stared at mom with confusion and fear. The room was thick with tension, Little Valerie was confused and scared, wondering what was going on. Why were there dangerous men downstairs with guns searching for them?
My chest tightened as tears gushed out, knowing what was going to happen. I approached mom, my voice barely above a whisper.
“P-please... go... they'll... k-kill... you.” It hurt to speak, but it was no use. She was still pacing, her eyes fixed on something beyond me.
Suddenly, she stopped and stared straight at me. My heart leaped as hope bloomed in my chest. I smiled and she smiled too. She walked towards me, and I reached out to hold her, only to have her pass by me and hug my little self. I sobbed, realizing I wasn't there. I was only reliving this traumatising incident.
The footsteps resounded outside, growing louder, and I felt myself paralyzed by terror. The sound of that man's voice spoke, "Open the door." I shuddered, my body shaking like a leaf as I began to feel sick.
My chest constricted as I watched, frozen in horror. Mom's face was pale, her eyes wide with fear as she hugged little me tightly. She rushed us into the closet and shut it closed, her breathing ragged. I felt the fear emanating from her, the tension in her body as she pressed us against the wall.
The sound of the gunshot echoed through the hallway, making me jump. The bullet shattered the lock, splintering the wood around it. Someone kicked the door open, and I was met with a sight that made my blood run cold.
Him.
The one who plagued my dreams, the one who had pulled the trigger that had killed mom.
He approached her, his green eyes gleaming with a sinister intensity just as the other men walked in. There were five men in total and all had masks on their faces, their aura dangerous and unpleasant as they stepped in, two of them holding guns. Their bodies were decorated in tattoos, their forms heavily built as their menacing glares zeroed in on mom.
"Hello there, beautiful," he said, looking fiendish with the scar that run across his left eye, his voice dripping with malice.
Mom stepped back, her eyes flashing with defiance even as her body trembled. My heart shattered into pieces as I watched, helpless.
He clicked his tongue, his eyes holding a weird gleam. “Such a beauty. It's a shame I'll have to kill you. I could've used you for more... pleasant purposes.”
Mom's face twisted in disgust as he touched her hair, his hands caressing her face.
I felt a strong sense of loathing for him, a fear that ran deep. My tears streamed down my face as I watched, unable to move, unable to speak.
And then, suddenly, I was back in my bed, my erratic heartbeat pounding in my ears. I felt hot and stuffy, my mouth dry. Sweat made my nightdress cling to my body like a second skin. I switched on the lamp and a hand grabbed my arm. I jumped, scurrying away with a frightened look.
Reed.
My heart calmed down automatically as I felt a sense of security. But he didn't look happy. He glared at me, his eyes narrowed.
“Does my touch disgust you now?" he questioned, his hair ruffled, his sleeping face so adorable I wanted to pinch his cheeks. But I couldn't. Not with that tone. Not with the distance between us now.
I shook my head but he spoke,"I saw your face, Valerie." His voice was emotionless and I felt a pang in my chest.
Reed's eyes seemed to bore into my soul, searching for answers. I shook my head again, feeling a lump form in my throat.
It's not you, Reed, I signed, trembling. It's just the nightmare. It felt so real. I didn't mean to push you away.
Reed's expression softened and he pulled me into his arms. I felt a sense of security envelop me and I buried my face in his chest.
Reed stroked my hair, his touch gentle. “You didn't push me away.”
Could I tell him? Could I share the horrors of my past with him?
As I hesitated, Reed's arms tightened around me. "Whatever it is, Valerie, I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you."
His words echoed in my mind, soothing my aching heart.
