Psycho

21. Embrace

Brian's POV

I ran at top speed, searching every possibility she could be at in desperation.

Santini where are you?

Everyone were searching everywhere but no one could find her.

I went up and down the mountain but nothing.

But as i was about to head down to base to see if she had managed to return, i saw a gallon of blood flowing down the mountain.

Afraid of the worse, I traced where the blood was coming from and saw a gigantic deadass tiger.

Santini.

I searched the entire and saw her squatting down below a huge tree with her hands covering her ears, shaking uncontrollably.

As the thunder clapped, she flinched and gripped on her ears tighter. I rushed up towards her and grabbed her hand.

She was shocked but relaxed slightly when i said her name.

"Santini we were so worried." I said with much anger as i thought something had happened to her.

"Sor-" She gasped when the thunder striked again.

I looked at her confused, trying figure everything out. And i finally realized.

"Santini, are you perhaps...afraid of thunder?" I asked.

She gritted her teeth.

"Hey look at me." I shaked her slightly. But she refused.

"It's fine..just leave me alone. I've been through this before." She muttered in the heavy rain.

"I'm not gonna. You're literally freezing."

This time, lighting could be seen before the thunder came.

She just bend her head lower and clapped her hands on her ears tighter.

I took my jacket and put it over her head.

She didn't respond but started to lean closer to me.

"It's ok. You don't have to go through this alone. I'll be here. I'm not going anywhere." I said to her gently, patting her head.

"You don't have to be afraid anymore love. I'm not going anywhere." I softly said.

As the next thunder was heard she jumped and wrapped her hands around me. I was taken aback but i held her tight in my embrace.

She buried her head on my chest and i just pulled her closer.

Carmen's POV

As his hands wrapped around me, i felt like i was protected by the entire world by his embrace. HIs body was still warm and i felt so safe.

Just this once. I thought.

"It's ok, don't be afraid. I'm here." He kept reassuring me.

Thank god the rain covered my tears.

Every time i heard thunder, i would just lock myself in my room, hide at the corner and pray it would quickly go away. No one would come in, no one would comfort me, no one would even bother.

And anyone who knew, would just take it for weakness and abandon me.

But he didn't. Instead he took me in his arms and just held me tightly yet softly. I couldn't even think, i just kept praying the thunder would go away, and yet, i wished i could stay in his embrace just a little longer.

"Don't tell..." I whispered.

"Hm?"

"Don't tell anyone."

"My lips are sealed." He chuckled.

And right then, he gave a light kiss on my head. My eyes widened and i relaxed. I just hugged him tighter.

At every sound of thunder i just shivered and squeezed him. He didn't move and didn't say a word. He just stayed there and continued hugging me, trying to soothe me.

I didn't know, that his embrace was so comforting, so comforting that in his arms, i slowly went into one of the most comfiest sleep i've ever had.

Brian's POV

As the clear midnight sky was upon us, i saw that she had fallen into a deep slumber in my arms. She looked so peaceful as she slept. I couldn't help but stare at her for awhile.

How i wished we could just stay like this for eternity with no worries on our shoulders. But i knew i couldn't be so selfish.

I picked her up gently without waking her up and brought her back to down to base.

Everyone rushed up, worried sick about her but i shushed everyone down. They calmed down and silently went back to their tents or whatever they were doing.

I went to Santini's tent and placed her down softly. As soon as she touched the sleeping bag, her shoulders were no longer tense and she had a cute little smile on her face. I chuckled softly and brushed her hair away from her face.

And once again, i was captivated by her beauty. It's like seeing a goddess from heaven. Her features were just...perfect.

I sighed and whispered a goodnight before leaving her tent.

"Is Ms Santini ok?" Alexandro rushed up towards as soon as he saw me.

"She's fine." I replied.

"A-are you sure?"

"Yeah. Don't worry. In fact, you should worry about that bite." I patted his shoulder and went to boil some hot water under the fire for Santini.

While the water was boiling, i just couldn't help but think how she held me so tightly. She was so afraid back there, and it angered me to see how scared she was.

I just wanted to hold her and keep her away from anything that made her unhappy or anything that would put a frown on her face.

I just wanted to embrace her and warm her up from the cold. I just wanted to protect her from everything. She was delicate, so precious, so fragile.

And it just made me want to claim her as mine even more.