Are We Out of The Woods Yet?

Part 11

WARNING There are TRIGGERS in this chapter guys so do be careful, if for your own safety you know today wasn't a good day or you're in a bad place I don't recommend reading it yet. Look after yourselves x

It was 5am when Chas was awoken by a crashing sound. She sat up against the headboard, straight away knowing it was burglars. She panted, not knowing what to do. Her fear told her to stay put, however her instincts told her to move, to find out what was going on. She searched for her mobile, Shit shit shit She tried not to talk. Any sound could alert them. She couldn't find her mobile. Gingerly leaving the warmth of her bed, she picked up a picture frame on the nightstand. It was the only thing close enough to a weapon that she had access to. She snuck up to her bedroom door and took her time twisting the handle. Opening the door a crack, she reminded herself not to do anything too drastic after what happened with Diane last time she thought she was being attacked. She peered out cautiously into the semi-gloom. There was no one in the hallway. She peered through the gap in both directions as best as she could, she reassured herself there was absolutely no one there. Then she stepped out. She paused to listen. There was still some clattering going on...downstairs...

She had crept down the staircase and down the corridor. Chas stared at the door that led to the culprit as though she'd seen her own grave, she blinked rapidly, she wouldn't cry now, if she had to go out, she'd go out fighting. She looked back at the bar then nodded once in a stern manner and stepped over to the door to the sitting room. She took the door handle and turned it, without making even the smallest sound once again. Her heart slammed against her ribs "stop,stop,stop" it bleated with every thump. Chas listened to her head though and opened the door like she had done with the other. Shit almost straight away she spotted a man stood at the kitchen sink. The door creaked. Chas stopped breathing why? Why?! tears blurred her vision as she pictured herself being brutally murdered. The man turned around at the noise. Wait... "Aaron?" Aaron stood sheepishly, the moonlight escaping through the blinds cast a shadow over part of his face. "My....I thought you were a bloody burglar! Oh my gosh..." A hand flew to her chest. Aaron was still silent. "Well....say something!"

"Sorry." He said in a whisper.

"No point in whispering now, might as well shout! Mm?"

"Mum."

"Seriously, what the heck are ya doin' at this time?!" Aaron fidgeted. I can't..." A fearful sob fell from Chas' quivering lips. "I can't believe this, you almost caused me to have a heart attack! I literalleh thought this was my last moment alive!" Tears merged with the clearly exposed red veins around Aaron's irises. What his Mum had gone through last year had been terrifying. He hadn't been able to be there for her then, not really. She'd needed therapy to be alright again and here he was scaring her to death like the complete idiot that he was.

"I'm sorry, really sorry." He came away from the kitchen surface, the light falling off his face, as he headed to where his Mum was in the doorway. She cowered away from him as he approached.

"No. Let's just...go back to bed yeah?" She tried.

"Yeah..."

"Maybeh next time you decide to have a midnight feast or...an early breakfast...you could alert meh ey?" Her voice was calmer but she looked grim. Aaron scrunched up his face in confusion. Midnight feast?...He looked back at where he'd been standing. He'd been standing closest to the kitchen, where you got food from, right ok. He looked to his Mum again.

"Yeah, honestleh Mum I'm sorreh."

"I'm sure I'll get over it. Come on, you can get a least another hour if you go back to bed now." Aaron nodded slowly, once again he looked back at the kitchen.