Shut down

13. The next morning

*TW Read with caution*

Amanda sat on the couch, gently running her fingers through Olivia's hair as the credits of the first movie rolled. The room was dim, and the soft glow from the television cast a calming light over the living room. Olivia, finally at peace after an unbearable day, had fallen asleep with her head resting in Amanda's lap. Amanda could feel the subtle rise and fall of her breath, the only indication that some part of her had momentarily escaped the storm raging inside her.

Amanda didn't dare move, not wanting to disturb Olivia's fragile sleep. She quietly reached for the remote, her movements deliberate and slow, and put on a second movie, though her mind wasn't really on it. It wasn't about the movies, anyway. It was about the stillness, the rare quiet where Olivia wasn't battling the horrors of her own mind. Seeing her like this—relaxed, her body no longer tense with fear—made Amanda feel a small sense of relief, a moment of hope.

But the peace was brief. The soft sound of footsteps padded down the hallway, and Amanda looked up to see Noah, rubbing his sleepy eyes as he entered the room. His small figure seemed even more fragile in the dim light, his hair tousled from sleep.

"Hey, Noah," Amanda whispered gently, not wanting to wake Olivia. "Weren't you asleep, buddy?"

Noah blinked, still in the haze of sleep, his voice quiet and groggy. "I'm thirsty," he said, barely managing a mumble. Without waiting for a response, he made his way toward the kitchen, his little feet barely making a sound on the hardwood floor. Amanda watched him, her heart swelling at how grown-up he seemed, even in his tired state.

Noah returned moments later, clutching a small bottle of water in his hands. His steps were slow, hesitant, as though he was unsure whether he should stay or go. His eyes flickered to his mother, the fear that had been sitting just below the surface finally creeping into his small voice.

"How's mom?" he asked, his words filled with fear. His gaze lingered on Olivia, who was still asleep, her breathing steady but her face still marked by the exhaustion of the day.

Amanda swallowed hard, doing her best to keep her voice steady for Noah's sake. She gave him a reassuring smile, though her heart ached at the weight of his worry. "She's better, sweetie," Amanda said softly, gesturing gently toward Olivia's resting form. "She's asleep right now. She just needs a little more rest."

Noah's face relaxed slightly, though the concern didn't fully leave his eyes. He nodded, his small shoulders easing as if Amanda's words had given him some sense of comfort. He took one last look at his mother, as if to make sure for himself that she was okay.

"Okay," he whispered, his voice softer now. "Good night."

"Good night, Noah," Amanda replied, her voice warm as she watched him shuffle back down the hallway toward his room. "Sleep tight, sweetie."

As Noah disappeared back into his room, Amanda let out a quiet sigh, her hand instinctively moving back to gently stroke Olivia's hair. The weight of the day was heavy on her shoulders, but seeing Noah find even a small sense of peace, and Olivia finally able to rest, gave her the strength to carry on.

The movie played on in the background, but Amanda didn't care about it. She just sat there, holding on to the rare, fleeting calm of the moment, knowing that it wouldn't last forever. 

...

As the second movie came to an end, the credits began to roll, and the soft hum of the television filled the quiet living room. Amanda, not wanting to disturb Olivia's peaceful rest but knowing she needed to get to bed properly, gently rubbed Olivia's arm. Her touch was light, careful, but it was enough to stir Olivia from her sleep.