Damaged - N.H.

9

I woke up a few hours later, my eyes swollen and red from crying myself to sleep. It was just after three in the morning. Surprisingly, I didn't wake up from a nightmare this time, but from a noise I couldn't quite make out. I sat up in bed, frozen as I listened.

Tap, tap, tap...

It sounded like it was coming from outside, but I couldn't figure out where.

Tap, tap, tap...

My heart started pounding but I couldn't bring myself to move. I had no idea what to do. Was I just being paranoid? Suddenly, a loud crash came from the backyard and I jumped, now completely terrified.

I stumbled out of bed, grabbing my phone and the baseball bat I keep by my bedside and ran for the closet, locking myself in. My hands were shaking violently as I scrolled through my contacts.

As reluctant as I was, I touched the screen on Liam's name and waited for him to answer. I knew he would be here faster than the police, and I wasn't willing to wait on them.

"Julie?" He finally answered.

By this point, I was already crying. "Liam, there's something in the b-backyard. I didn't know what to do, I--"

"Where are you?" He cut me off, asking quickly.

"Locked in my closet." I said shakily.

I heard some fumbling. "Stay where you are. I'll be right there."

"Can you stay on the phone with me?" I asked, holding back a sob.

"Of course. Just try not to panic, okay? Take a deep breath." He instructed calmly.

I did as he told me and listened to him trying to calm me down. Just like he said, he was at my door a couple of minutes later. I reluctantly left the bathroom to let him in the front door and instantly felt better when he stepped inside, holding a flashlight.

"Stay in here and lock the door behind me, okay?"

I nodded as he went out the back door and did as he said, locking it behind him. He wasn't gone long, and when he came back up to the glass door he was smiling. I looked at him completely confused as he waved for me to join him outside. I opened the door, stepping out reluctantly.

"What is it?" I asked.

He gently placed a hand on my arm, pulling me over towards the side of the house and pointed his flashlight. The garbage can was tipped over on its side, trash scattered around it and a few sets of eyes were glowing as they turned their heads towards us.

"Raccoons. The noise you heard was probably them knocking the garbage can over." He said softly.

I watched as they scurried away in fright at the sound of our voices. I let out a sigh of relief. Liam walked over to the can and set it upright before following me back inside.

"Well, mystery solved. Nothing to worry about." He smiled.

I sat down on the couch, placing my head in my hands and began to cry.

"Oh shit, don't do that. Don't cry." Liam rushed out, sitting down beside me. "Relax, everything is fine now." He placed a hand on my back, rubbing it soothingly.

"I'm sorry." I sobbed. I was trying to control myself, but it had all become too much at this point.

"You don't need to apologize. I told you to call me if you needed anything." He replied.

"It's late and I woke you up because of a fucking garbage can." I cried.

"Hey, look at me." He said, pulling my hands from my face. "You had every reason to call. It's okay, really. I'm glad you called me."