In The Dark

Chapter 2

Arguing is the first thing I hear when I wake up again.

"Why are you allowed to stay? You didn't even know her before this! I'm her boyfriend!"

"You need to calm down before you wake her up."

"Fuck you and your calm downs!"

"Sir, you need to leave visiting hours are over and you are disturbing the patients."

"What about him? Why is he staying?"

"I'm the only one whose been able to calm her panic attacks, they don't want to use sedatives on her undernourished body so I'm staying to make sure she stays calm."

"That doesn't make any sense! I'm her boyfriend, I've known her half her life I can calm her down too!"

I open my eyes blinking the sleep away slowly and the arguing stops as everyone looks at me. My heart rate picks up at so many eyes on me and Mason runs over and holds my hand. I calm down as I feel his thumb rub soothing circles on my hand. The nurse looks over at my slack jawed boyfriend and tells him he has five minutes before walking out.

"I've gotta go baby they won't let me stay but I promise I'll be back in the morning okay." I nod while looking at my hands captured in Mason's. I hear the door click and look up to see him walking away angrily. Mason put his hand on my cheek getting me to look at him.

"He's going to be alright sweetheart, he just doesn't understand what you've been through." I nod absentmindedly as he runs his fingers along my scalp. I close my eyes in content and a small smile makes its way onto my face for the first time in a while. His thumb catches the corner of my lips, "you have a beautiful smile." I look away blushing.

"Thank you." I mumble.

"What can I do to make you smile more?"

I look at him and smile impishly, "keep rubbing my scalp, please."

"I can do that," Mason grins and continues. "You haven't had a chance to see your family; would you like to do that before seeing Joseph again?" My heart picks up in fear of being surrounded by people, even people I know. Afraid of having them stare at me, of them surrounding me, standing too close. Just these thoughts have me jolting forward sending me into a panic attack.

"Too many eyes, too many people too many please no," I cry squeezing my knees to my chest. He sits next to me quickly pulling me into his lap. My breathing slows back to normal and I lay my head on his chest.

"It's alright, I'll be here the whole time and we'll only let one at a time how does that sound?" He says and I nod and wrap my arms tightly around him. I try to focus on something other than my panic and notice he smells like apples and cinnamon. His chest rumbles as he chuckles. "Are you sniffing me sweetheart?"

Blushing, I burrow my face into his chest. "You smell good, like apples and cinnamon." It's then that I realize I haven't had a shower in forever. Jumping back I wrinkle my nose at my greasy limp hair.

"What's wrong Scarlett?" Mason asks worriedly.

"I-- uh-- I'm gross," I stutter, looking away from him in embarrassment. He sighs softly.

"Okay, I can get a nurse in here to help you," he smile when I look at him. Gently setting me back onto the bed, he gets up and goes out the door.

Alone, I look around the small room. Clenching my fists I try to remain strong pushing the panic away. I breathe through my nose and out my mouth and think of something calming. My first though is Mason, and I start thinking about his fluffy black hair, the stubble across his chin, the intense look in his warm brown eyes, his soothing touch. Soon I've calmed my panic but my heart is racing for a different reason and I blush as guilt eats at me. I have a boyfriend I can barely look at now and another man I've just barely met who gets my heart racing and calms me down. I look down biting my bottom lip considering what I should do. Before I can think about it any further, Mason walks through the door with a nurse in tow. As she explains how to shower I nod absentmindedly. When she goes and it's time to get clean a new panic overcomes me at the thought of being alone in that small inclosed room.

"I don't think I can do it, Mason," I cry hugging my waist.

"Hey, hey sweetheart what's wrong."

"I don't want to be alone in a small room again, please don't make me Mason don't make me go in there," I sob. Logically I know I'm being irrational but the thought of going in there is overwhelming me.

"It's okay I'm not making you do anything you don't want to sweetheart." He murmurs hugging me. "We can try again another day."

When I've calmed down I look down ashamed at my weakness. "I'm sorry I've been so pathetic, I'm not usually this weak."

"You are not pathetic or weak, you have been to hell and back and you still managed to smile. To me that takes strength Scarlett." Mason stares at me softly, like I'm breakable.

"Thank you," I mumble, "but I still need a shower."

"Okay, I'll be right outside the door the whole time."

"I can't have the door closed," I say quickly terrified of being closed in.

"We'll keep it cracked then and I'll face the other way." I nod and step out of his hug.

In the bathroom, even with the door cracked, I can feel the walls closing in. "C-can you talk to m-me please," the words stumble out as I force myself to stay.

"Okay what do you want to talk about?"

"Um- anything? Uh tell me about yourself I know practically nothing about my savior."

"Well there's not much sweetheart, my name is Mason Daughtry." I focus on his voice as I step into the warm water.

"Do you have a middle name?" I ask as I start washing away the terror and tears of that dark ordeal.

"Yes I have a middle name," he chuckles. "It's James, Mason James Daughtry at your service ma'am," he says in an exaggerated southern accent. I giggle at his goofy attitude.

"I like your name Mr. Daughtry how old are you?" Thinking of my 22 years and guessing he looks young maybe close to my age.

"I'm 26 sweetheart and I'm thinking I should know a little more about my damsel in distress."

"Um I- uh well my name is Scarlett Marie Jones and I'm 22." I say stepping out of the shower. After towel drying my hair I wrap the towel around my body. I forgot to grab one of those weird dress things and I can't walk out there in front of Mason practically naked.

"Scarlett, is everything alright I've been trying to get your attention for a minute."

"I- yes- I mean not really I wasn't paying attention I'm sorry Mason."

"What's wrong?" He questions and I can hear him standing frantically.

"Wait don't come in I'm fine I just uh forgottograbclothesandnowIdontknowwhattodo," I rush to say. Hearing him pause I breathe out a sigh.

"What? I didn't hear the last bit."

"I don't have anything to wear," I grumble. He chuckles.

"I'll go grab a nurse sweetheart."

"Wait please don't leave me!" I cry out.

"Okay it's okay I'm right here I'm pressing the call button I'm sure a nurse will be here soon are you alright?"

"Yes, thank you Mason. I'm so relieved you're here for me I don't know how I could get through this without you," I murmur without thinking clutching the towel like a lifeline. Before he could say anything the nurse barges in. I here her asking what the problem is but I've folded into myself all I know is soon she leaves and I see a gown and underwear on the counter. Quickly I put them on and walk out with my head down. Seeing Masons shoes in front of me I look up.

"Hey, you don't have to be ashamed of needing someone." He says softly. I wrap my arms around him and start crying for no reason.