Scared of the dark

Asha

   "Asha?" Auren calls.

  I don't respond. I just sit there frozen in place.

   It's dark. Like really dark. Jet black dark. I can't see a thing.

    It wasn't this dark when I was thrown into that room with Auren, or even when we got stuck in the middle of nowhere. At least, I could see some stuff.   But this is not the case.

I hate this kind of dark. I hate the memories associated with it. I never want to be in a dark room. The goddess knows the trauma that followed each time I was in a dark room.

    I hear the stove being turned off.

  "Let me go check the wires; something must have gone wrong with them," he says, and I hear his footsteps shuffling for the door.

   "Auren wait! Don't leave me here!" I cry out in panic.

I hear his footsteps pause, "Is something wrong?"

  "I- I'm scared of the dark," I admit, my bones trembling as though a block of ice were shoved through my throat.

    "You're a werewolf. Why would you be scared of the dark?" An amused chuckle leaves his lips.

    It's not my fault I had a weird stepfather.

   "Where are you? I.. I can't see anything," I stifle a quiet sob.

    He doesn't say anything for the next few seconds.

   "You're really scared?" His voice softens a little, and the sound of his footsteps comes in my direction.

   "Yes, please don't leave me. If you're going, take me with you," I plead.

    He stops again, "Why can't you see me? I can see you."

  "It's a long story," I choke on my words, my breathing getting heavier.

    "Are you seriously scared of some monster or something?" His laughter rings throughout the kitchen, "Those are just tales used in scaring children. Why do you still believe them?"

   Mine was a living nightmare!

   "Please.. don't leave me," I stretch out my hand, hoping he will take it.

    "Asha? Are you really alright?"

   The memories start flooding in. My heart pounds loudly in my ears. Cold sweat drips from my forehead, running down my nose. My body feels like jelly, nothing makes sense anymore.

   I. Don't. Want. To. Be. In. The. Darkness. At. All.

  My chest grows heavier, like a lead has sunk down my chest. My limbs tremble like leaves struggling to find somewhere to hide from the violent wind.

    That's it. I'm losing it.

  I hold my head in my hands, feeling the weight of my horrible memories press further and further down on my head.

     Before I know it, I slip off the stool, and drop to the ground, my body trembling with silent sobs.

    "Asha?!" Auren finally rushes to my side, helping me sit up.

   "Are you sure you're not sick? Oh, fuck it! I have to call a doctor; hold on!" He tries to leave, but I grab his collar really tight.

  I try to form words, but nothing is leaving my mouth except the sound of my heavy breathing.

    He cups my face in his large, warm hands, "Hey, hey, breathe for me. Breathe."

    I try to do as he says, but instead I'm panting out short, quick, heavy breaths.

    "It's okay. Calm down. There's no one that's going to hurt you here, I'm here, alright? I'm the only one with you."

    His words seem to calm me down a bit, so I wrap my arms around his neck, letting myself drown in his warm presence.

   "It's okay. It's okay. Breathe. Breathe," his hands go to pat my back.

   My labored breathing slows down, the lead has disappeared, and my sweaty forehead is dried up.

     "Please bring back the light," I murmur.

   "Asha? Remember I told you what my wolf was capable of? Use it. "

   My eyes widen at his words. That's right, his wolf has magic!

    I pull away from him, my head still swaying from his warmth.

   "Uh.."

"Go on. Do it."

   'Light. Please let the light come back on.'

   Just like that, the room illuminates.

   "See? It's alright. Nothing bad happened," He leans forward and pats my head.

   His kind green eyes bore into my soul, warming up its cold depths.

   How is he a member of the underworld?

  "T-thank you," I wipe my teary eyes, then struggle to get to my feet.

   "Sigh. You really amaze me," He scoops me off the ground instead, "Who knew you could be this baby-ish?" He carries me back to the stool, and places me gently on it.

     "It's not my fault," I look away, my cheeks burning red hot. Ugh, I can't believe I had a panic attack in front of him.

     He stands akimbo, his eyes still boring into my soul. He cocks his brow, as if demanding answers.

    "It's a story I don't like getting into," I sniffle.

    He pats his head, "Alright then. No wonder you sleep with the lights on," he shakes his head, swirling on his feet back to the stove.

    For the next few minutes, I calm myself down, pep talking to myself.

  Damon isn't here anymore. He's dead. He's far away from me now. I shouldn't be scared of him at all.

     It takes a while before I finally calm down. My head feels like a blank page.

    "It's almost ready. Just give me a few minutes," Auren looks in my direction.

     I nod my head, "It's okay. I'm not in a hurry at all," I manage to smile.

    His lips turn downwards, and he continues with what he's doing.

"Finally," he mumbles when the pasta's done.

"Go get a plate, princess," he glances at me.

"Mmh-mmh," I jump off the stool, running to the counter where he keeps his plates. I grab two, and run back to where he's rooted.

"Immediately you're done eating, go have a bath and go to sleep. Don't wait for me. I'll be going somewhere tonight."

I raise my head to look at him with an amused expression, "Will you be back before the end of three hours?"

He rolls his eyes, gritting his teeth, "Yes."

I shrug, "Just dish out my meal. I'm starving," I groan.

"Isn't it funny how you eat so much, yet there's still no sign of growth in you?"

I gasp, my blood shooting to my head, "You son of a bastard! How dare you?!" I stamp on his right foot.

He just pats my head, "Short ladies, and their anger issues."