Success of the Broken Banner

Chapter 10: Peace

Go ahead," Frankie rasped, her voice barely audible between ragged gasps. My gaze locked onto her, a morbid fascination with the damage etched into her face. Swelling marred her features, each purple bruise a testament to a violent struggle. A thin trickle of blood traced a path down her cheek, stark against her ashen skin. "Kill me."

My body seemed rooted to the spot, pinning her arms beneath my knees. I burned to move, to act, to even form words, but my body had turned traitor. All I could manage was to stare, transfixed by the horror unfolding before me.

"I should have burned that damn letter," Frankie's voice rose, a shrill accusation. "I should have left you to rot!" Her wild eyes darted from mine to the glinting blade poised above her. Without conscious intent, my hand plunged the knife downward, again and again. A scream tore at my throat, but remained lodged there. I was a puppet, strings pulled by some malevolent force. Frankie's gaze clung to mine, her words laced with poison as the life seeped from her.

"You're a monster."

The words echoed through my mind, a haunting refrain feeding the growing sense of panic. It clawed at my insides, a twisting knot of dread. Then, a voice, my name shouted in desperation. "Amelia!"

Echo's hands closed around my upper arms, his grip a painful shock. My eyes snapped open, and I was met with his silhouette, the only illumination the silvery glow of the full moon. I sat bolt upright, my body wracked with sobs as I flung myself at Echo. I clung to him, pleading for his presence to calm the chaotic terror still thrumming through me.

Echo's arms wrapped around me like a shield, a sanctuary of warmth and unyielding strength. He pulled me close, his hands dancing across my back in slow, soothing patterns as he swayed us gently. "You're okay, it's okay," he murmured, his voice a steady lifeline in the storm. Gently, he drew back, his palms cradling my face, his gaze forcing mine to meet his. "It was just a dream."

"I didn't mean to- I didn't," I whispered, my voice trembling. His words seemed to come from a distance, muffled by the ringing still echoing in my ears. But then his meaning slammed into me, leaving me breathless and staring. He pulled me in once more, his embrace even tighter now, protective and fierce. I melted into him, burying my face in his chest, his scent clinging to his clothes like an anchor, tethering me to reality.

His whispered reassurances, punctuated by gentle shushes, were the anchor I desperately needed. My world had been shattered by the nightmare, leaving my nerves raw and frayed. But with his chin resting on the crown of my head, his body swaying us in a soothing rhythm, I began to untangle from the remnants of terror. My heart rate slowed, my breaths evened, and with one final squeeze, I was back in the present.

He searched my eyes, ensuring I was with him again. Guilt flooded me. "I'm sorry," I whispered, teeth clenched in regret. "I didn't mean to drag you out of bed."

His response was a soft shrug. "I couldn't sleep much anyway. Are you okay?" His gaze was filled with genuine concern as he patted the bed beside him. I sat, feeling vulnerable, my eyes fixed on the floor as I leaned into his shoulder.

A shaky "no" was all I could manage. I couldn't escape the darkness, not even in sleep. A quiet "that makes two of us" was his reply. I glanced up to see a hint of a sad smile on his lips. "Peace is rare these days."

My next words spilled out before I could censor myself: "You were the only thing that brought me a sense of peace these last two weeks." I wanted to sink into the floor, my cheeks ablaze with embarrassment. But Echo just wrapped his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into a half-embrace.

We sat in silence, the only sound his steady heartbeat. Then he stood, turning towards the door. "You should get some sleep." But as his hand closed around the door handle, I called out, desperation creeping into my voice.

"Echo?"

He turned back, a question in his eyes. "Will you stay?" Tears threatened to spill over. "I don't want to be alone right now."

He stood there for a moment, my plea hanging in the air. Then, without a word, he stepped back to me. "Of course." His whisper was filled with a tenderness that made my heart ache. He climbed into bed, lifting the blankets over us as he settled beside me. In the darkness, my hand found his, locking our fingers together as I pulled his arm close. With a new sense of peace washing over me, his distant voice was the last thing I heard.

"You are my peace too."