Page 69 of Little Sunshine

I did it anyway.

Mila

I’m alone.

I’m always alone.

The house is too scary. Too dangerous. Too dark.

Too empty.

No friends. No family. Nowhere else for me to go. I’m always alone.

Until I’m not.

Hands are touching me. Grabbing me. I try to fight them off, but my arms are weighed down. Slow. Ineffective. I can smell the brick. The monster. He laughs in my ear, and it grows louder.

Higher.

I know that laughter.

Veronica.

Why is my mother here?

“Stupid Mila. Think you’re better than me?”

The hands.

“Mila, Mila, Mila.”

Too many.

“Mila. Mila. Mila.”

All over.

I need help. Just one time. For once, I need someone to help me.

I need…

“Mila!”

“Ash!” I sat up and thrashed, fighting against phantom hands and haunting touches.

“Mila, it’s just me.”

My movements stopped, though my heart continued to slam against my ribs like it was trying to burst from my chest.

Ash sat on the edge of the bed, stroking my unruly hair from my face. Sweat slicked my skin, and he had to feel it, but he didn’t say anything. With the light streaming in from the bathroom, I could clearly see the concern on his face. His voice held the same tender worry when he asked, “What’s wrong?”

I shook my head.

It was just a dream.

A nightmare.

I was okay.

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