Upsurged ( Protection and safety unit Book 2)

Chapter 18

Nova

I can hear their screams. The sound of their voices, filled with fear and pain, echoes through the house. I can smell the metallic scent of blood in the air, making my stomach churn with nausea. I know I have to hide, to stay safe from whoever is responsible for this horror.
I quickly make my way to the closet in my room, my heart pounding in my chest. I squeeze myself into the small space, trying to make myself as small as possible. My body is shaking uncontrollably, my hands and feet feeling cold and numb.I know what's going to happen,and I can't stop it.

I peek through the tiny crack in the closet door, my eyes widening in horror as I see the lifeless body of my mother lying on the floor. My father is next to her, his eyes staring blankly ahead. Tears stream down my face as I try to stifle my sobs, my hands covering my ears to block out the sounds of their final moments.
I can't believe this is happening. My parents, the ones who have always been there for me, are gone. The realization hits me like a ton of bricks, and I feel a wave of grief wash over me. But I can't afford to break down now. I have to stay strong, to survive.

I stay hidden in the closet, my body trembling with fear and shock. I try to focus on my breathing, to calm myself down. Suddenly, a gentle hand touches me and I turn my head to the side, startled by the sudden impact.

The boy sitting next to me in the closet looks at me with confusion. He is dark-skinned with small protruding ears and tilts his head to the side.

"Don't cry, Nova," he whispers.

I swallow hard as I realize it's Nate, and panic rises within me at the thought of them harming him too.
"Baby, look at me," he whispers, and I gaze into his eyes, the same ones I love so much. "I'll get you out of here," he says firmly.

The floor of the closet beneath us collapses and we fall into deep water. No matter how hard I try, I just can't reach the surface.The water is cold and murky, even when I move my hands and feet it seems as if I'm barely moving.
Panic sets in as I look around in the water, trying to find Nate, but all I see is darkness surrounding me. The air is running out and I'm about to give up when someone reaches their hand into the water, pulling me up.
I recognize Nate's wristwatch and cling to his with both hands as he pulls me to the surface and I panic.

"I've got you, baby...Nova, wake up," his voice calls out, pulling me out of the nightmare.

I jolt awake to find Nate kneeling over me, his face filled with concern and tears in his eyes. I grab onto his shirt, trying to control my breathing as he guides me through deep breaths.
He looks into my eyes, comforting and reassuring me.

"I've got you, baby," he whispers, holding me close. A tear escapes my eye as I realize he was there for me even in my dream.

The moment is filled with a sense of relief and gratitude as Nate continues to hold me, comforting me through the lingering fear.

"It's ok baby...it was just a dream" he whispers pulling me into his lap, my breathing becomes calmer with each of his words and I slowly let go of the shirt I was holding on to as tight as I could to make sure it was just a dream.

"You're safe...I've got you baby" he whispers, caressing me.

"I know" I replied with a shaky voice.

He took his time to soothe me, his gentle words were like a cure for my troubled soul and I closed my eyes safely again.
When I woke up again I was still in Nate's arms, he was leaning his head against me and holding me tightly in his arms as I slept.I looked up at his face and lightly stroked his cheek with my fingers.Nate opened his eyes slowly at my touch and surveyed my face.As if to make sure everything was okay,and it was.