Page 109 of Truth

Grabbing fistfuls of my hair, I rocked harder.

Go away!

Please. Please! Go away.

“Brianna?”

I shook my head.

Eventually, the voices got quieter, and I could hear other things along with the sounds in my head. The first thing I heard was what I thought were pots and pans clanging against each other. It was far away, though.

As I calmed down further, I realized I was not alone. Someone was with me. I could hear their breathing.

Taking a deep breath, I caught a familiar scent. I opened my eyes cautiously.

My heart began to pound in my chest when I saw Stephan, and before I could question it, I launched myself from the floor and into his arms. He caught me and held me so tight it hurt, but I didn’t care. He’s here. Right here.

“Brianna.” My name came out on a breath, barely loud enough for me to hear it. “You had me so worried, sweetheart.”

I squeezed, holding him just as tight as he was holding me. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t...” I began to sob.

“Shh. It’s okay. You’re safe. That’s all that matters.”

We sat holding each other for a long time. The clamoring in the other room had stopped, and silence replaced it.

Stephan straightened his legs and situated me in his lap as he leaned against the doorjamb. For the first time, I took in my surroundings. We were in... a closet.

As my memory of why we were there came back to me, I began to shiver. “Come here, love.” He pressed my head down on his shoulder, resting his cheek on top of my hair.

Neither of us said anything as I did my best to remain calm. I wanted to leave this place.

“I want...”

He ran his hands through my hair, down my arm and back up again. “What do you want, Brianna?”

“I want... to go home.”

Stephan sighed. “You weren’t ready. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I pushed you too much.”

Sadness washed over me. The scene. He’d wanted me to watch, and I couldn’t... I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t do it for him.

The tears returned. I clung to him as I cried. He just held me, brushing his lips over my hair every now and then.

There was movement behind me. The noise startled me.

“It’s okay,” Stephan said. “I’m right here.”

“I wanted to see if you were hungry. I made dinner.” At the sound of Lily’s voice, I turned.

She stood against the far wall, looking fearful. I’d never seen her that way before, and I knew I needed to do something.

Scrambling out of Stephan’s lap, I rushed to her side and hugged her. She lurched backward. “Lily. Are you okay?” I knew she was standing right there in front of me, but I didn’t know why she was looking and acting the way she was.

It took her a few seconds to react, but then she threw her arms around me and hugged me back. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that question?”

I didn’t understand. “I’m... I’m fine. But... you...”

“I’m fine, Brianna. I promise.”

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