Deer in the Headlights

Part 80 - It Takes Two to Whisper Quietly

[Adam's POV]

I slipped the key into the lock of the front door and let myself in quietly, glad to be free of the biting cold outside. Shutting the door behind, I grimaced slightly as I jammed it closed with a hefty shove that made my back cry out, ignoring it best I could I hauled the heavy bag of groceries into the kitchen and up onto the large oak table. I’d unpack those later; right now I was desperate to use the toilet. A mixed fear of using public urinals in front of others, even at such a late hour like this when no one would be around still meant that I had been forced to hold it until I was back home.

Though now I was busting.

Dashing up the stairs best I could in my injured state, I hurriedly went to the bathroom and relieved myself, choosing against flushing the toilet as I knew the stupidly loud noise could wake Brielle up.

After a brisk wash of my hands I finally left the bathroom and was about to make my way back downstairs to pack away the groceries when I heard a muffled noise from down the hallway. I spun round and stood motionless, my breath shallow, barely audible as I focussed all my attention down the darkened corridor.

A moment later the sniffling noise sounded again, causing me to cock my head and frown ever so slightly. My curiosity soon getting the better of me, I began to walk slowly down the soft carpeted hall, using all my senses to guide me to my own bedroom which I was sure the noises were coming from.

With heart in my throat I hesitantly pushed open the door and stuck my head round it. My eyes having already adjusted to the darkness took only a matter of seconds to notice the small quivering lump lying under the sheets of my bed.

Oh Brielle.

My heart fluttered weakly as she looked up, confirming my thoughts in one frightened stare, it was her.

I smiled weakly but it wasn’t genuine, Brielle was crying and it looked like she had been for a while. Carefully I entered the room and shut the door behind me with a soft click. Brielle watched me with uncertainty plain to see in her wide eyes, I knew she was scared; so with slow actions I made my way over to the bed and sat beside her with my legs hanging over the side.

It didn’t take me long to wrap her up in a hug, finding my words had vanished the moment I’d seen her, although it felt like maybe words weren’t needed right now. By the way Brielle held me back tightly I knew she needed this comfort more than anything else; so for the meantime we remained silent.

Though my heart was crying out so loudly.

Eventually I gave in with a soft murmur. “What’s wrong Bri?” I felt her shudder beneath me and let out another pained sob that made my eyes sting with tears, my own pain I could deal with, it was when she was hurt or upset that it felt like a physical wound to me.

I rubbed her back softly whilst nuzzling my head a little against hers, prompting out a response with my actions which I knew she liked. As hoped it seemed to work as I felt her smiling a little against my chest, her shaking body suddenly become that bit more relaxed.

“I-I had a nightmare Adam...” She eventually whispered in a dull tone that let me know immediately that she felt silly for what had happened, nevertheless I still held her tightly, it was a big deal to me. “And you- weren’t here...I-I came to your room and you weren’t-“

“Oh Bri...” I cut her off as I felt her start crying again.

“I’d gone to get some groceries because I couldn’t sleep, I didn’t think you’d be awake, I’m sorry.”

Brielle pulled away from me a little and looked directly into my eyes for the first time, what I saw was fear and loss in the icy depths; even in the darkness of the room I knew her eyes would be raw, almost to the point of bloodshot with the exertion of her crying. She didn’t often get shaken up; she was far braver than any person I knew, far braver than she would have herself believe, I suppose in a sense that made her plight all the more dire. Whatever had been in her head was obviously something very distasteful.