Penance

Lily

In the night, I was prepared for another round of nightmares. Skipping over the melatonin, I silently braced myself for the semi-sleepless night.

I woke up as usual in the middle of darkness. I didn't feel any different nor did I have a nightmare. Sitting up, I was about to pick up my phone when th I noticed the shadow beside me

A scream nearly left my lips until I realised who it was. My fears instinctively turned to anger and hostility.

“How the hell are you here?” I bit out, hostile despite my racing heartbeat.

On the other side of the bed, sitting on the chair, Alexander stared agape, like he hadn't expected me to be awake.

‘My suspicions were correct then,’ I thought. It came together, the slight hints of scent so faint I thought, hoped, was my imagination. The occasional feeling of warmth and the strange emptiness when I woke up.

Not to mention the hints of voices I heard in my dreams. Comforting words I swore were just my imagination.

‘I’m here. Nothing would hurt you,’