Half a heart ( Book 1)

Chapter 50

Trigger Warnings: Anxiety, Mental Health, Emotional Distress

Louis's POV

The suite was quiet, the only sound the faint hum of the air conditioner as it circulated cool air through the room. The darkness was comforting, a blanket of stillness that wrapped around us, giving a brief respite from the chaos of the day. I had fallen asleep in the chair next to Charlie's bed, the exhaustion from the night finally taking its toll.

I wasn't sure what time it was when I woke up, but something pulled me from my sleep. I blinked, trying to adjust to the darkness, and then I heard it-a soft, muffled sound. It was quiet, almost like a whimper, but enough to jolt me fully awake.

I turned toward the bed, my heart sinking when I saw Charlie. He was curled up under the covers, his face partially buried in the pillow, but his body was tense, his breathing uneven. His lips were trembling, and every few seconds, a small whimper escaped, like he was caught in a nightmare he couldn't wake from.

I immediately slid out of the chair, kneeling next to the bed, trying not to startle him. "Charlie," I whispered softly, reaching out to gently touch his arm. "It's okay, love. You're safe."

His whimpering continued, and I felt a pang in my chest, the helplessness washing over me. I hated seeing him like this-so vulnerable, so lost in whatever dark place his mind had taken him to.

"Shh, it's okay," I whispered again, my voice soothing as I stroked his arm. "I'm here. We're all here."

Charlie's eyes fluttered open, unfocused and glossy with unshed tears. It took him a moment to register where he was, but when he did, his breath hitched, and he turned his head toward me. "Louis?" His voice was small, filled with fear and confusion.

"Yeah, it's me," I said, keeping my voice calm and steady. "You're okay, Charlie. You just had a bad dream."

He blinked, and I saw the tears spill over, trailing down his cheeks. "I-I thought I was alone," he whispered, his voice shaky.

My heart broke a little more at his words. "You're not alone, Charlie. I promise," I said firmly, reaching up to wipe away his tears with my thumb. "We're all right here with you."

He sniffled, his breath still uneven as he tried to calm down. But I could see the fear lingering in his eyes, the remnants of whatever nightmare had haunted him still clinging to his thoughts.

"Can you stay with me?" he asked, his voice so soft it was almost a whisper.

Without hesitation, I nodded. "Of course I can." I slipped off my shoes and climbed into the bed beside him, careful not to crowd him but close enough to let him know I was there. I pulled the covers over us, and he immediately shifted closer, seeking comfort.

I wrapped an arm around him, pulling him into a gentle embrace. He buried his face in my chest, and I felt him start to relax, his breathing slowly evening out as he clung to me. I rested my chin on top of his head, holding him close.

"Try to get some sleep," I murmured, continuing to rub soothing circles on his back. "I'll be right here if you need me."

He nodded against my chest, his grip on my shirt tightening as if he was afraid I might disappear if he let go. But I wasn't going anywhere. Not tonight, not ever.

As I held him, I could feel the tension slowly draining from his body, the warmth of the bed and the quiet of the room beginning to lull him back into a more peaceful sleep. His breathing deepened, and soon enough, the soft rise and fall of his chest indicated that he was asleep again.

But I stayed awake, listening to his breathing, making sure that the nightmare wouldn't return. I kept my arm around him, grounding him, protecting him from whatever demons his mind might conjure.

In that moment, I realized just how much Charlie had been through, and how much he needed us. He wasn't just scared-he was terrified of being left alone, of being abandoned to face his fears by himself. And I wasn't going to let that happen.

We all had a role to play in Charlie's life, but right now, my role was to keep him safe, to let him know he was loved and cared for. I didn't know how long it would take for him to heal, but I knew that as long as he needed me, I'd be there.