Moonlight lake. . .The name rang out in her mind though she did not know the place. It seemed so familiar to her, as if she had been there before. But she couldn't have. She hadn't been to any lake, she couldn't have known this place. And yet. . . the familiarity of it all left her confused.
Ara. . . The whisper surprised her. She sat up straight, her eyes scanning her surroundings. It was an all too chilling voice. This one, she knew.
Did you think you could escape me?
The blood froze in her veins, fear followed and had her up on her feet and ready to fight should anything come at her.
You're still the same little child, Ara. . . and this time, your little time demon won't come to save you.
The sound of chains rattled when Ara next moved. A cold drop of water landed on her cheek as she soon found herself in a place she hoped she would never see again. It was her step fathers basement. . . back to where it all began. When did she get here? How did she get here? Ara began to panic. Her heart raced in her chest, threatening to burst through and run away all itself.
"No! No, no! I'm not afraid of you!" She screamed at the top of her lungs, yet no voice was heard. She yelled and yelled but nothing came out, not a single sound!
Of course you are, you filthy little whore. You will never escape me. Never.
"No. . . no!" This time she heard herself scream in pain as he appeared from the shadows and struck her across her face.
You fucking cunt. I will show you pain. You are mine. Always, mine. Her step father's voice sounded wrong. . .distorted. . . twisted but all the same it was his. And he was angry.
"Leave me alone-" Her voice cut to a gasp when she felt the bruising kick to her side. She coughed as she tried to regain her breath but he kicked again, and again and suddenly she wasn't the strong adult anymore. She was seven once more. Her small body filling with increasing agony as her step father took his anger out on her. "Stop!" But her cries where never heard.
This was wrong, this was all wrong! This never happened! Luka had come by now, he had killed her wicked father before any harm came to her. No. . . Luka!
Ara jolted up from her bed, sweat covered her entire body causing her hair to stick around her face.
"Ara! God, I tried to wake you up but you just wouldn't." Luka's sweet voice was the most welcoming sound she could hear. She threw herself into his arms, quiet sobs racked through her body unyieldingly as she tried to make sense of it all. What the heck had just happened? She had had nightmares before, but never like this. . never this. . .vivid.
"Shh, it's ok Ara, I'm here, I'm here."
Luka. . . his name alone made her feel safe. Her grip tightened around him and if it hurt, Luka never complained. He held her in his embrace for the longest time until the last shakes of the dream began to ebb away. Even then, he held her in comfort until she was ready to pull away.
Gentle hands wiped away the tears of her cheek and Ara met the reassuring gaze of Luka's blue eyes.
"You want to talk about it?" He asked, his voice seeming loud against the quiet of the night. She contemplated telling him. Her eyes searched for something in his depths, she didn't know what. . . but somehow she found herself shaking her head and diverting her gaze from his.
He never pressed her further, instead, he moved closer to her and reached for her hand.
"Do you want to come sleep with me-"
"Yes." Ara answered quickly. Oops. . . Her cheeks flushed at Luka's satisfied grin. "Let's just go." She added, trying to hide the smile that threatened to find its way to her lips. Luka sighed, and stood up. The absence of his weight on her bed brought alarm to her and she quickly joined his side.
"Whoa, it's ok Ara, I'm not going anywhere." She glanced up with a frown. Why had she just panicked when he had gotten up?
Because you're scared he's not real and you will be left alone. Her mind seemed to know the answer already. It was true, the fear that Luka wouldn't be there was all to real to her. In her dream , he hadn't been there. She had been alone and had completely fallen apart. Her grip tightened around his hand as he led them down the hall to his bedroom.
She got into his bed, his scent already enveloping her senses and she felt the ease of his presence wash through her. She snuggled as close as she could to Luka when he took his place on the other side, needing to feel him there.
Gods. . . Just having him made her feel safe. Having his arms draw her close, hold her protectively had Ara's tense body relaxed in less than a minute.
"Good night, Ara." Luka said, his voice already sounding groggy with the promise of sleep. She couldn't help the smile she sported now. Her heart felt full, butterflies tickled her stomach as she found herself yawning and being drawn into the same place her demon was.
"Good night, Luka." His response was the soft sounds of his snores, his chest moving in and out with each breath. Her eyelid grew heavy, her smile never left though as she whispered, "I love you."
No comments:
Post a Comment