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“Fuck. No. No, no.”
They’re coming.
I look up for the door but it’s not there.
“Lance.”
No. No. No. The door. Where’s the door? Another door crashes shut, and I kick at the sheets, desperately trying to get them off me.
“Lance!”
My eyes fly open.
“Lance, it’s me. It’s Scarlet. I’m here. I’m here.”
I push her back, standing quickly when she stumbles. “Get away from me!”
“Lance. It’s me. You’re safe.”
I look down at myself, my T-shirt stuck to me, dripping in sweat. “Fuck…” I can hardly breathe. “Leave—”
A large boom ripples over the house, my entire body recoiling as I tense.
“Thunder,” Scarlet tells me in realisation. “Lance, it’s just thunder.”
Her eyes are wide, fixed on me, and the sorrow, the pain and pity. I fight to keep the bile rising in my throat from coming up.
She goes to step toward me, but I shake my head, telling her without words not to come any closer as my chest heaves.
Breath after ragged breath, I will my heart to slow. To just ease the slightest bit.
“Let me… I’ll run the shower. Let me run the shower,” she croaks.
My entire body trembles, and as Scarlet steps away from me, my knees threaten to give out.
Not again.
Not with her as a witness.
I hear the shower turn on, and my eyes drift closed.
A thunderous roar rages above the house, and I sway, the ripples roving the floorboards underfoot and echoing throughout my entire body.
My breathing gets heavier.
My chest constricting.
I turn my head toward the bathroom. To where she disappeared. And as I do, Scarlet steps into the doorway, her stance hesitant as she watches me. Yet knowing swims in her eyes.
Something inside of me cracks. “I need—you.”
Her feet move before I can fumble out all the words, as if she did know, and her mind was already made up. She runs to me without thought, and the moment she’s close enough, I haul her against me, her small frame settling between my arms like a lost puzzle piece.
She looks up at me, her searching eyes desperate. “It’s okay.” A promise.
Another crack of thunder rattles the house, and I tighten my hold on her, my heart kick-starting all over again after barely slowing.
I clench my eyes tight, feeling sweat run down my jaw.
