Sibling spotlight - billie and Finneas story

Nightfall

Chapter: Nightfall

The quiet hum of the hospital’s night shift was the only sound that filled Y/N’s room. The machines beeped steadily, a reminder of the sterile environment they were in, but the air was thick with unspoken fears. The soft glow from the overhead light made Y/N’s bruises look harsher, and her pale skin seemed to sink into the stark white of the sheets.

It was late, but neither Billie nor Finneas had any intention of sleeping. They sat in their chairs, watching Y/N as she lay there, lost in her own mind. She hadn’t said much since their parents left, only small whispers that barely reached them. But the fear in her eyes was louder than any words could be.

Y/N shifted slightly, trying to find a comfortable position, but every movement sent a wave of pain through her body. She winced, biting her lip to stop a cry from escaping. The bruises on her ribs and arms throbbed, and the tightness in her chest made it hard to breathe deeply.

Billie, always vigilant, noticed the subtle changes in Y/N’s face and stood up to check on her. “Hey, are you okay?” she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper as she knelt beside the bed. “Do you need anything?”

Y/N shook her head slightly, her eyes focused on a spot on the wall. She didn’t want to talk about the pain. She didn’t want to talk about anything. Her mind was still stuck in that dark place—flashes of the man’s face, his voice, the cold, metallic van—everything played over and over like a nightmare on repeat.

Finneas stood up, taking a step toward her bedside. “Y/N, do you want some water? Or maybe just a pillow adjustment? Anything?”

But as he moved closer, Y/N flinched. Her whole body tensed, and her eyes widened in fear. She pulled back instinctively, her breath quickening as if his presence triggered something inside her.

Finneas froze, his heart sinking at the sight of his sister recoiling from him. He hadn’t expected that, and it hit him like a punch to the gut. His hands hovered in the air, unsure of what to do. “Y/N… it’s just me,” he said softly, his voice gentle and pained.

Y/N looked at him, her heart racing, her body trembling. She knew it was Finneas. She knew it was her brother, the same brother who had been her protector, her confidant. But right now, her body couldn’t tell the difference. Every male presence, every movement, brought back flashes of the man who had taken her. She didn’t want to feel this way—she hated it—but the fear was automatic.

“I’m sorry…” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I—I didn’t mean to.”

Finneas swallowed hard, forcing a small, understanding smile. “Hey, no… it’s okay. Don’t apologize. You don’t have to explain.”

Billie reached over, placing a calming hand on Y/N’s shoulder. “You’re safe now, remember?” she said softly, her voice soothing but firm. “You’re here with us. No one’s going to hurt you.”

Y/N nodded, her breathing still shaky, but the fear in her eyes slowly began to dull. She kept her gaze on the blanket, her hands gripping the fabric tightly, trying to ground herself in the present.

Finneas took a step back, giving her more space. His chest felt tight, and he looked over at Billie, his face full of worry and frustration. “What do we do?” he mouthed silently, his voice too broken to say it out loud.

Billie shook her head, her eyes filled with the same helplessness. She didn’t know either. This was new territory for both of them, and seeing Y/N like this—so fragile, so scared—was tearing them apart.

They stayed quiet for a while, letting the tension in the room ease a little. Y/N eventually relaxed, but her hands remained clenched in the blanket, her body still coiled tight, ready to flee at any sudden movement.

The night dragged on, and with every tick of the clock, Billie and Finneas watched their sister drift further away, trapped in a prison of her own mind. They didn’t know how to help her, but they knew they couldn’t leave her alone in this.

Eventually, Finneas sat back down, keeping his distance, his heart heavy. He watched as Y/N’s eyes slowly fluttered closed, the exhaustion finally winning over the fear. She drifted into a restless sleep, her body still curled into a protective ball.

Billie let out a soft sigh, her fingers brushing Y/N’s hair back from her face. She looked over at Finneas, her own exhaustion clear in her eyes. “We’ll get through this,” she whispered, though she wasn’t sure if she was saying it for him or for herself. “We have to.”

Finneas nodded, though doubt lingered in his mind. He wanted to believe it, but seeing Y/N flinch away from him—that was something he never expected. It was like a wall had been built between them, one he didn’t know how to break down.

But for now, all they could do was stay close and hope that, in time, Y/N would find her way back.