The Dark Hour

--------Ryan--------

I went back to mine and Skyla's room. I hope she is feeling well. By the way Ridge was talking she rarely cooks. I sighed and opened the door and kicked off my shoes.

"Skyla? Can I ask you something?" I called out.

"What it is?" She called back.

"Uh where are you?" I asked walking around.

"Kitchen!"

"Are you cooking again?" I asked walking to the kitchen.

"I'm looking through this website. There's a lot of good looking things on here." I sighed and looked at her.

"Are you uh feeling okay?"

"I'm fine, why?" She said quickly.

"Well Ridge asked me how you were doing and all I said was cooking. By the way he was talking you don't cook this much normally."

"Well maybe I've changed," She said calmly.

"Changed?"

"Not in a bad way. More like I picked up a new hobby kind of way."

"Oh, well Ridge was a bit worried since you weren't out walking around much anymore."

"I'm fine Ryan," She said firmly. "And I think Ridge has more to worry about than me." I looked at the ground and yawned.

"If you say so, I'm heading to bed don't stay up too late or push yourself too hard."

"I won't," She sighed. I pushed myself off the wall and headed to bed.

~~~~

"You ungrateful brat! You and your mother both are good for nothing!" My dad yelled raising his hand. My mother quickly got in front of me and got slapped across the face. My eyes widen. Why? Why would he do something like that. All he does is get paid and get drink we are in a lot of debt cause of him. My mother quickly turned around and pulled me into her chest. One hand was around my waist and one behind my head. I closed my eyes and enjoyed her smell.

My mother was making up tea that night, father was drinking in the living room like normal. Our front door slammed open. My mother quickly pulled me behind her.

"Aaron we're here for the woman and child you promise us!"

"Come come they're in here." My father said walking in the kitchen. My father was with a tall man that was quite scary.

"Aaron what's the meaning of this?" My mother shouted. The guy looked at us and nodded.

"They should do just fine. This should get you out of debt." My eyes widen. Father is selling us?

"Aaron what on earth?"

"Shut up woman!" Father yelled and slapped her once again. I gasped when the man grabbed her and another man came into view and grabbed me.

~~~~

"No! Mother!" I yelled quickly sitting up. It was just a dream? I swear I thought that it was real. I placed my head in my hand and I was drenched in sweat. My head snapped up when the door suddenly burst open.

"Ryan!" Skyla said worried as she ran over to me. "What happened?" I looked at her she was worried. Did I worry her?

"I-I..." I couldn't get the words out I just pulled her to me and placed my head on her shoulder and started to cry. Why was I crying? And in front of Skyla. I never cried before, why now? She gently hugged me and rubbed my back.

"Shh, it's ok. Just slowly breathe ok? In and out," She said softly. I sniffled and started to breathe. I haven't had that dream in forever now. I don't understand anything, does it have to do with what Ida was telling me about my dad? I pulled away and wiped my eyes.

"S-Sorry S-Skyla."

"You don't need to be sorry," She smiled softly. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"I-It was just the night that m-my father traded me and m-my Mother to end his debt."

"Oh, well he's an ass." I smiled at her.

"Y-Yeah he can be. Sorry to worry you."

"It's fine. I used to stay at Lalna's when his mom was working late and my dad was out of town, and sometimes he would have nightmares too." I nodded.

"This rarely happens to me." I said rubbing my eyes again.

"Well if it happens again I'll be right here. Ok?" I nodded and hugged her again.

"Thank you, I couldn't ask for anyone better." She smiled.

"I'll always be here for you. I'm not going anywhere." I sniffled and kept her close, I'm sure I couldn't pull her any closer. I'm scared to lose her, scared to be taken away again. From someone I love and care about.

"Skyla... I l-love you." I mumbled. She smiled and sighed softly.

"I love you too Ryan." I smiled and kept her close for most of the night.