What It Is

Chapter 13

I needed time to stop and calm myself down. Everything was swirling in pigments, it was fuzzy and blurring, transparent and crumbling. I was weak, low, a puppy that needed attention. Helplessness was the most common feeling that invaded my soul, penetrating through every layer of skin and fragment. My head pounded and my body ached, I was so drained.

"Can I-can go to sleep?" Falling into the pillow.

"Yeah, sleep A, you need your rest to heal." As my eyes lazily began to close, my breathes more shallow.

"We'll have West come in later." Aaron spoke hushed in my ear, covering my shoulders with the blanket while I shivered. "I'll lower her bed and get the nurse." Stroking my hair cautiously.

"Goodnight A." Ryan whispered as my body was lowered to be flat, my eyes closing to the lights.

"Sleep tight princess." Aaron stated kissing my forehead briefly and caressing my arm. I smiled savoring his warm embrace, having Ryan do the same as well. I felt a tingly touch when they left, like I was suddenly at ease. No one could hurt me here, I was finally safe.

But then my mind began to play tricks...

My eyes had opened and I saw them, they were glaring at me and had pure anger doused over their faces. I shivered as the bed moved upwards and I was moved closer to them.

"No, no..." Shaking and trembling.

"Did you really think you could get away from us?" My father sneered.

"We will always find you, and always treat you as you deserve." My mother glided in.

"I did nothing wrong!" I shouted. My mother slapped my cheek as I gritted my teeth and was put back into place.

"We gave you everything, and this is how you choose to act, you're a worthless piece of-"

I couldn't hear my father as tears coated my face, my blood boiling and heart pounding. They beat me and reopened my wounds, never ceasing, always enjoying my pain and relishing within it.

My eyes then opened as my body was drenched in sweat. The room was black as it was night, the lights of the hallway illuminating an eerie glow. I sat up and gasped, terrified and pale. My hands were shaking, my teeth chattering, everything pounding within my head like a drum. Suddenly I began coughing, hugging myself in fear and worry as I tried to regain some composure but couldn't as my mind kept replaying the nightmare.

"Whoa, whoa." Someone spoke jumping up. "Hey it's okay." Came out the deep voice of a man. "It was just a nightmare." Placing their hand on mine.

Everything was at a standstill, silent except for the beeps coming from a machine next to me as I gazed down at the soft hand covering mine. A whirlwind cascaded my mind, wheezing and gasping for more control as I clutched my stomach with my other hand.

"No..." I whispered shaking my head and pulling back terrified.

"Do you want a glass of water to help?" The shadow at the side of my bed spoke. "Shh... Don't cry, you've had enough tears Aurora." As I winced in pain, gasping for air to breath. "It's okay A, you're okay." Revealing his face in the night's cast shadows as he moved closer towards my figure. .

"R-Ryan?" As he began to stroke my cheek and rub my arm soothingly.

"Yes. It's me, just me. No one else is here." Rubbing my arms and shoulders. I shuddered at any touch, but slowly gave in to his warm embrace as he embraced me. "We're taking watches over you since you're still unstable." He whispered as I rested my head on his shoulder softly.