The Fallen

Amirèe

Though the bruises hadn't disappeared, my pain was completely gone. I felt no more fear, only this overwhelming warmth that started in my belly and enveloped everything I was. My skin hummed with him, my thoughts kept drifting to him. I wanted him to come back, needed him to. Every moment he was away from me, the cloud that was his warmth faded and chipped like old paint.

He'd left when I woke up to go take a shower, promising to come back after to check on me, but was called downstairs by my mom. The morning sun was high, and the golden light of the dawn dusted my room. It was peaceful and quiet, much like it had always been.

Then, I remembered what had happened to me, and the icy chains and icier concrete floor had me locked back in that warehouse. My arms ached, my ankle was in a torrent of pain, and my vision was dark. My comforting room had turned into a living hell, and I couldn't escape. There was no point in screaming because no one could save me, and no point in trying to escape because there was nowhere to run. My blood became cold, my mind became a black void of despair, and I was nothing but pain and a terror so strong that I couldn't scream.

I wasn't safe. I'd never be safe again.

I pulled the blanket over my head, feeling no warmer. I moved into a fetal position feeling no calmer. I closed my eyes feeling hopeless. I would never feel the same again.

"Kevin," I whimpered, pulling my knees to my chest.

Just as soon as I'd spoken his name he'd appeared, my entire family flooding into the room in front of him. He stood in the threshold as my mother pulled the cover back and gathered me in her arms. I didn't even feel her though, I was completely numb to the world.

Corey crawled in the bed next to me, resting his chin on my shoulder while my father rubbed my back gently. They helped, but I still couldn't escape the cold. Corey must've noticed, so he nearly jumped out the bed and grabbed Kevin by the wrist, dragging him to me.

"You make her feel safe because you saved her. You can't save her once and let her be by herself. You have to look after her, and of you don't I'm going to murder you very hard." He pointed at me, as I wrapped my arms around my mom's neck.

As if I was all that mattered, Kevin moved towards me. I automatically reached up, releasing my mom, and wrapped my arms around him. That same warmth from earlier took over me again, pushing the ice away until he was all I knew, all I saw, felt, heard, tasted, and smelled. My father kissed the top of my head, whispering something my mind didn't register. My mother told Kevin something, and everyone left, even Corey.

It was just me and Kevin, and that was all that mattered to me. He was here, I was safe. Now I just needed to get back to normal. I needed a way to move on from the chains that held me down.