Irreplaceable - Katemau Fanfiction

Irreplaceable

Third Person Point of View

Katelyn awoke in a panic and sat up swiftly. She gasped for air, nearly hyperventilating. "Deep breaths Katelyn..." She spoke to herself in a hushed tone between heavy breathing. "Deep breaths.."
She had the nightmare again. Barely a nightmare, never mind a dream. Katelyn saw it as a reoccurring memory caused by regret and guilt haunting her. Several nights over the span of a few weeks, she had the dream. It kept returning to her, and awakening her in the twilight hours. It had begun to happen more, and the young woman could expect herself to wake up in a frenzy every night now.
Every night, Katelyn went to sleep like everyone else. But soon enough, she woke up on the boat on the icy ocean. Crackling fire, screams. With eyes widened and a pounding heart, she climbed up to the surface of the boat to Dante's two children, half siblings Nekoette~Tan and Dmitri, tied up by imps sent from the Demon Warlock himself. But that's not what she had her eyes on. There he was, standing tall and proud, looking as formal as ever, but with that goofy smile he always wore. Those bright green eyes pierced into her own oceanic blue as she stared into the face she missed ever so dearly. It was Jeffory the Golden Heart, former Jury of Nine guard. The High Priest of O'Khasis had murdered him. He murdered the man Katelyn loved with all of her heart, the only person she had left. Logic escaping her, Katelyn did not come to the realization that the figure standing there was a mere illusion. A distraction to catch her off guard. And it worked. One moment she was crying tears of joy as she watched her best friend standing there, but the next the imps attacked her and stole the children, leaving her for dead. Katelyn could've given up right then and there. She had nothing to live for. However, Aphmau found her, crying and injured. The strongest woman Aphmau knew, at her most vulnerable moment. Katelyn nearly expected her to laugh, as she had spent years being disrespected by the other Jury of Nine members.. Except for one. Jeffory. But Aphmau helped her, Aphmau saved her life.
Katelyn assumed nobody noticed she was losing sleep, as nobody tended to notice her at all. It was either that, or they feared her. However, she was wrong.
The haunting nightmare replaying one of the worst moments of her life kept her awake all night. The next day, Katelyn was perched on a fence in the treehouse, reading a book. She knew she needed to improve in reading, and Phoenix Drop was quite boring to her. She had nothing to do after all. Soon enough, Aphmau approached her.
"Hey Katelyn.." She greeted her with a goofy smile that reminded her of Jeffory's. Trying not to be sad about that connection, she asked, "What are you up to Aphmau?" Aphmau didn't reply. She just stood there, studying Katelyn's face. Confused, Katelyn asked what the problem was. Oddly straightforward, Aphmau replied, "Katelyn you look exhausted, and I know you've been losing a lot of sleep.. Are you okay?" Katelyn stared into her eyes, surprised Aphmau knew she wasn't sleeping well. She couldn't help it, but she just teared up. Aphmau made her feel safe, Aphmau made her feel important. Katelyn knew she could trust Aphmau. Aphmau was..home. She nodded, even though she was aware she was visibly not okay. She was breaking, she felt weak. Aphmau's eyes widened. She wanted to talk to Katelyn about her sleeping problems, she didn't expect her to tear up right in front of her. "K-Katelyn? Katelyn what's wrong?" Aphmau asked, scared. Seeing the bravest and strongest (both mentally and physically) woman you know, crying, is a frightening sight. Katelyn stood up and looked into Aphmau's eyes, trying not to full out sob. "Aphmau," She answered quietly. "A-Aphmau I'm not okay. I've been having these nightmares every night.. That day.. That day I saw Jeffory on that cursed island.. I keep reliving that moment." Aphmau knew Katelyn didn't like hugs, or physical contact for that matter, so she didn't hug her. "Katelyn, I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do to help with this problem?" Katelyn suddenly burst out crying, no, sobbing. "Aphmau, don't you see? I'm so vulnerable, I'm weak! My strength is an illusion! I'm all alone, I loved Jeffory with all of my heart and n-now..and now he's gone! I'm at my breaking point, I can't stand this anymore. I have no one! Why don't I fit in? Why was he taken from me? Why didn't I ever tell him how I feel? My chance is gone forever.." She buried her face in her hands. "Don't look at me.. I'm a nervous wreck, I'm useless like this. But this is truly how I feel.. My toughness, my edge, is just so I can have a sense of power and authority. If I acted how I truly feel, depressed.. Sensitive.. Nobody would respect me..But I don't know if I can keep up this act anymore.." She trailed off, before yelling, " I can't keep trying to be someone else!"
Katelyn looked up suddenly to see Aphmau hugging her tightly. "Katelyn, you're perfect just the way you are, no matter how you act, I'll still be there for you. I know you've been feeling depressed about Jeffory lately, but I'm here for you and I'm gonna protect you. I love you, Katelyn. You have to keep your head up. And when you have to fight, when you're all alone, you have to tell yourself you're irreplaceable."