The Fear of the Past

Stella's Nightmare

Stella's POV:

I was in a dimly lit room. Where there was the most light, there was a piano. I used to love playing the piano, until it became one of the things my dad made me do to entertain the people at his parties. I walked over to the piano, and sat down on the bench. I reached up to place my fingers on the keys, only to feel them burn me. I jerked my hand back. I looked up to see my father standing there. I deep fear ran through me, making my insides turn.

"Mi hija." he said, opening his arms, and walking towards me. "How much I've missed you."

"Get away from me!" I hissed.

"tsk, tsk. That's no way to speak to your father, now is it?" he said, his voice hardening. I got up from the piano, and began running towards the door. "Stop her!" I heard my father yell from behind me. I saw two pairs of hands emerge from the darkness. I felt them grab me and pin me to the wall. "You shouldn't have tried to do that." my father said, shaking his head. "You used to be so well behaved Stella. I guess you'll have to be trained again."

"No!" I screamed. "You can't make me!" I screamed louder as he neared me. Just as he reached me, I jolted awake. My head pounding so hard it felt like my sulk was splitting. My vision was blurred, and my ears were ringing. "Ah!" I yelled, clutching my head in agony. Kelly bolted awake next to me.

"What's wrong?!" He asked sounding panicked.

"My head.." I groaned. I heard bells going off around me. "Kelly? What's going on?" I asked, dazed and confused. Where was I? Where are these alarms coming from? What's going on? I thought to myself.

"MAGGIE!" I heard Kelly yell next to me. I saw a blur of blue rush next to me. I felt hands pushing me back against the bed.

"Honey you're going to have to calm down. You are having a panic attack, which it elevating your heart too much. I can get you something for the pain, but you're going to have to calm down." Maggie said gently. "Can you do that for me?" I nodded. I tried to take deep breaths, but they were shaky. I felt Kelly run his thumb over my hand. I felt the sharp edge of the pain ebb away. I started to calm down, I could feel my heart slow to a more normal pace. "Feeling better?" Maggie asked me.

"Yes. Thank you." I said weakly. Maggie gave me a small smile.

"I'll come back to check on you a little later okay?" she said softly.

"Okay." I said. I watched as she left my room. I looked over at Kelly, who was coming back to his spot next to me. He ran a hand over his face as he neared me. I had a sudden rush of emotion go through me, this burst of fear and pain of my past ran through me.

"What's wrong?" Kelly asked me. I used all of my energy to sit up enough on my side to look at him. When I opened my mouth to speak, all that came out was a sob. I buried my head in his shoulder, as sob after sob rocked my body. I couldn't remember the last time I had cried like this.

"Hey its okay." Kelly said wrapping his arms around me, pulling me closer to him. "Its okay, I've got you."

Severide's POV:

My heart broke for Stella. I wish I could take away all of her pain. I watched as her tears dried.

"Can you lay next to me?" she asked, looking up at me with her swollen eyes.

"I don't think thats a good idea—"

"Please?"

"Okay."

"Thank you." she said, her voice raspier than normal. She scooted over, and I carefully laid down next to her. She snuggled against me and closed her eyes. She looked so innocent and calm that for a moment I forgot about what was going on with her sister. But I was quickly reminded when my phone buzzed in my pocket.

Hey Kelly, I heard my sister discharged from the hospital tomorrow. Can Antonio and I come over to discuss the case?

I don't think that's a good idea. She needs to rest.

Normally I wouldn't have asked, but the situation has gotten very urgent. Stella's in danger, she's not safe.